Clean Energy and Tourmaline announced a $70 million Joint Development Agreement, to build and operate a network of compressed natural gas (CNG) stations along key highway corridors across western Canada. Through their 50-50 shared investment, Clean Energy and Tourmaline are planning to commission up to 20 CNG stations over the next five years, which will allow heavy-duty truck and other fleets that operate in the area to easily transition to the clean fuel.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is natural gas under pressure which remains clear, odourless, and non-corrosive. It is also a less expensive, greener, and a more efficient alternative to traditional diesel fuel for vehicles.
CNG vehicles operate much like gasoline-powered vehicles with spark-ignited internal combustion engines. CNG is compressed so that enough fuel can be stored in your vehicle to extend driving range, much like the gasoline tank in a vehicle. Although vehicles can use natural gas as either a liquid or a gas, most vehicles use the gaseous form compressed to 3,600 psi.
CNG is one of the cleanest-burning and lowest-emitting fuels available today.
The transportation industry is one of the largest emitters of CO2, accounting for approximately one quarter of Canada’s emissions. Advancements in this sector play an important role in supporting Canada’s climate goals and developing fuels for the future.
In terms of emissions reduction, converting one truck to CNG from diesel is the equivalent of taking as many as 5 passenger vehicles off the road.
When compared to diesel vehicles, natural gas vehicles emit:
- 20% less CO2 (carbon dioxide)
- 90% less CO (carbon monoxide)
- 90% less NOx (nitrogen oxides)
- 99% less SOx (sulfur oxides) and PM (particulate matter)
Responsibly addressing Canada’s climate goals and reducing carbon emissions is important. As Canada’s largest producer of natural gas, Tourmaline saw an opportunity to contribute to a lower-emission future and began working with Clean Energy to develop a solution. By offering CNG at fueling stations on heavy haul trucking routes, this joint development is a major step forward in helping the transportation industry reduce emissions.
When organic matter decays, it naturally produces methane: one of the greenhouse gases most detrimental to the environment. By capturing the methane, we prevent it from entering and damaging the atmosphere. Then, we turn it into renewable natural gas — the cleanest fuel in the world. RNG is the only available energy source capable of having a negative carbon intensity.
This development effort paves the way for RNG in the future as the fueling station infrastructure is the same for both CNG and RNG.
Tourmaline and Clean Energy’s joint development agreement will be critical to creating a sustainable transportation industry in Canada. By opening up to 20 CNG stations across Western Canada over the next several years, this partnership will make CNG an accessible and affordable solution to ensuring a sustainable transportation industry and a lower-carbon future.
As a leader in sustainability, Tourmaline is committed to responsibly improving environmental performance. As well, innovation is at the heart of everything Tourmaline does, so this partnership was a natural fit.
Clean Energy is North America’s leader in clean transportation, having pioneered renewable natural gas (RNG) as a vehicle fuel in the US. Today, we’re also the largest provider of clean CNG/RNG to heavy-duty vehicles in North America, with over 590 fueling stations which it owns, operates or supplies, of which 25 are in Canada. This partnership aligned with our goals to further expand into Canada and to continue supporting our vision for a zero-carbon future in transportation.
This joint development agreement was created between Tourmaline and Clean Energy to change the fueling landscape of the transportation industry in Western Canada. Tourmaline and Clean Energy have partnered to build and operate up to 20 fueling stations that will be branded as Clean Energy stations and can use Tourmaline’s lowest-emitting natural gas.
Mullen Group has validated the performance, reliability and lifecycle cost advantage of adopting natural gas-powered heavy haul trucks. Mullen has recognized the fueling infrastructure gap in Canada and is pleased to see a significant commitment to bridge this gap with Tourmaline and Clean Energy’s initiative. This means that Mullen will be able to expand its fleet of natural gas-powered trucks across a broad economic region.
