Clean Energy Opens Two America’s Natural Gas Highway Stations, Expands CNG Network and Signs Multiple Fueling Agreements
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. – March 5, 2014 – Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) today announced fueling has begun at its Valdosta, Ga., and London, Ohio, America’s Natural Gas Highway stations to serve Raven Transport and Epes’ fleets of heavy-duty liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks. An agreement with PECO, the largest electric and natural gas utility in Pennsylvania, has also been entered whereby Clean Energy will operate PECO’s CNG stations throughout the greater-Philadelphia area. Select fueling agreements were also announced in the transit sector which build on Clean Energy’s portfolio of natural gas fuel customers across the country.
Trucking
Clean Energy Becomes First Company to Offer Both CNG and LNG in Texas Triangle and Opens Valdosta, Ga., and London, Ohio, America’s Natural Gas Highway Stations
- With the opening of the San Antonio, Texas, America’s Natural Gas Highway station, Clean Energy opened the Texas Triangle to natural gas fueling and became the first company to offer both CNG and LNG for this critical goods movement corridor.
- Epes Transport System, Inc., based in Greensboro, N.C., will deploy heavy-duty natural gas trucks to haul goods for Lowe’s regional distribution center in Valdosta, Ga. Lowe’s recently named Epes “Truckload Carrier of the Year” for best overall service, a distinction Epes continues to strive for, particularly in helping Lowe’s achieve its stated goal to transition all regional distribution center dedicated fleets to natural gas by the end of 2017.
- This fleet is expected to consume approximately 250,000 DGEs of LNG per year. This represents a greenhouse gas reduction of approximately 448 metric tons per year, the equivalent of removing approximately 90 cars off the road each year.
“We stand behind the vision of Lowe’s to be an industry leader in alternative transportation throughout its supply chain. Cleaner-burning and less expensive natural gas makes sense for our fleet and we will continue to explore additional opportunities to deploy natural gas trucks throughout our operations in the eastern United States,” said Britt Colley, president of Epes.
Network
Clean Energy to Operate PECO’s CNG Stations in Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Clean Energy will upgrade the equipment at six existing PECO CNG stations and manage all new and existing retail sales and fleet accounts. The stations will remain in operation during the equipment upgrades.
- PECO will continue to provide natural gas to the stations and will use these stations for their fleet fueling needs.
“The agreement with Clean Energy will help us continue to support and grow the local CNG infrastructure in our region,” said Craig Adams, president and CEO of PECO.
Transit
Foothill Transit Awards Clean Energy Multi-year Operations, Maintenance and Fueling Contract Renewal for its Two CNG Facilities
- Longtime Clean Energy customer Foothill Transit of West Covina, Calif., operates a fleet of 335 compressed natural gas vehicles.
- This fleet consumes approximately five million GGEs of CNG per year at its two fueling facilities which represents a greenhouse gas emission reduction of approximately 10,535 metric tons, the equivalent of removing 2,175 passenger cars from the road each year.
- This fleet is expected to consume approximately 250,000 DGEs of LNG per year. This represents a greenhouse gas reduction of approximately 448 metric tons per year, the equivalent of removing approximately 90 cars off the road each year.
“Converting our fleet to alternative fuels has been a top priority for Foothill Transit. Our 10-year plan is now complete and our CNG fleet makes cleaner air for everyone a breathable reality,” said Doran Barnes, executive director of Foothill Transit.
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada Orders Additional Vehicles as it Continues Transitioning Its Fleet to Natural Gas
- Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) ordered 80 new Ford E-450 CNG passenger-lift-equipped vehicles that will be deployed in 2014 for the RTC’s ADA Paratransit service.
- These Paratransit vehicles are forecasted to consume approximately 800,000 GGEs of CNG per year once fully deployed. This represents a greenhouse gas reduction of approximately 1,686 metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 348 cars off the road each year.
- Clean Energy operates and maintains the two RTC-owned private fueling stations that support the CNG fleet.
Clean Energy is Awarded Contract to Design, Build and Operate New Private CNG Fueling Station for City of Norwalk, Calif., Transit System
- Norwalk Transit System (NTS) is transitioning its fleet of 30 vehicles to CNG; with nearly half of their vehicles currently powered by the cleaner-burning fuel.
- To maintain NTS’ growing fleet of compressed natural gas vehicles, Clean Energy will also modify the fleet’s maintenance facility to be code-compliant for natural gas vehicle maintenance.
- The current fleet of 14 NGVs is forecasted to consume approximately 150,000 GGEs of CNG per year, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 316 metric tons, the equivalent of removing 65 cars from the road each year. This volume is expected to double once the fleet is fully-deployed.
“Cities across America are making the switch to natural gas to fuel their fleets because it is fiscally responsible and better for the air we breathe. Norwalk grasped the potential of CNG fuel early on and we’re happy to be working with Clean Energy to continue our fleet’s transition to this economical and cleaner-burning fuel,” said James Parker, director of transportation, City of Norwalk.
Morongo Basin Transit Authority Awards Clean Energy CNG Facility Maintenance Contract for Growing Fleet
- Serving ten communities, including Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, Morongo Valley and Landers, Calif. the Morongo Basin Transit Authority (MBTA) operates a growing fleet of 28 compressed natural gas vehicles which fuel at MBTA’s private CNG fueling station.
- This growing fleet consumes approximately 120,000 GGEs of CNG per year, which represents a greenhouse gas reduction of approximately 253 metric tons.
- Clean Energy operates and maintains the two RTC-owned private fueling stations that support the CNG fleet.
“Environmental stewardship is a key priority for MBTA, which is why our entire fleet is powered by CNG. We are proud to do our part in keeping the desert skies clear for citizens of the Morongo Basin to enjoy for years to come,” said Joe Meer, general manager at MBTA.
Natural gas fuel costs up to $1.50 less per gallon than gasoline or diesel, depending on local market conditions. The use of natural gas fuel not only reduces operating costs for vehicles, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30% in light-duty vehicles and 23% in medium to heavy-duty vehicles. In addition, nearly all natural gas consumed in North America is produced domestically.
About Clean Energy Fuels Corp.
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) is the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America. We build and operate compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations; manufacture CNG and LNG equipment and technologies for ourselves and other companies; develop renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities; and deliver more CNG, LNG and Redeem RNG fuel than any other company in the U.S. For more information, visit www.cleanenergyfuels.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including statements about the amounts of natural gas fuel expected to be consumed by Epes, Foothill Transit, RTC, NTS and MBTA, respectively and the benefits of natural gas as compared to gasoline and diesel. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Additionally, the reports and other documents the Company files with the SEC (available at www.sec.gov) contain risk factors, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release.