Jim Fair
The CPW Compressed Natural Gas fast-fill station was dedicated this morning at 115 Duke Street, behind the utility's workshop.
Jim Fair
CPW emphasized the point of the low cost alternative fuel by setting its pump at $1.70 and 3.5 gallons. That was to reflect today's fuel costs ($3.35 for a gallon of unleaded fuel) that would only in half the purchase.
Kits to convert vehicles to compressed natural gas range $6,500 for a basic up to $12,000 or more for a top of the line. The Honda Civic is the only manufactured car fully prepped for CNG. Ford and General Motors vehicles need kits for the conversion.
Jim Fair
This shows the rear tank in the trunk for compressed natural gas.
CPW commissioners cut the ceremonial ribbon and dedicated the CNG station this morning at 115 Duke Street. The island has been prepared to add a second pump station when needed.
“The savings are half of what it costs to buy a gallon of gas,” Board Commissioner Eugene Gibson said. “Another utility tells me they operate their garbage truck fleet on CNG with a savings of $100 a day per vehicle.” Gibson did not name the utility or city.
Unleaded gas is averaging $3.35 in Greenville County with CNG costs at $1.70 GGE (Gas Gallon Equivalent). The station accommodates automobiles and trucks in its circular drive. CPW has experimented with a tractor-trailer and it successfully maneuvered in and out.
CPW has been the city’s pioneer in bringing compressed natural gas to the area. It has had two slow-fill stations that take overnight visits to fill vehicles. The fast-fill station will take 3-4 minutes, approximately the same time as a standard vehicle at a regular gas station. CPW has three CNG vehicles with two more on order for the second quarter.
AT&T and Frito-Lay have expressed their interest to fill its vehicles at the CPW site and discussions are ongoing with other entities with natural gas vehicles.
Nick Stegall, CPW General Manager, said, “We believe this is the fuel of the future and can help us reduce dependence on foreign oil, the use of natural gas vehicles worldwide is increasing at the rate of 30 percent per year and this vehicle fuel is not trucked to this site, it’s transported by a national network of piping.”
Stegall said CNG reduces urban transmissions and reduces greenhouse gases. That, according to Stegall, complements CPW’s use of 90 percent emission free nuclear power.
“By constructing this fast-fill station and by utilizing the natural gas harvested here in America, we have moved ever closer to energy independence in this national and farther away from an oil addiction that forces us to form alliances with this country’s known adversaries,” said CPW Commissioner Perry Williams.
City Administrator Ed Driggers said his staff is studying the purchase of its first CNG vehicle, a Honda Civic, plus will evaluate the cost of waste trucks converted to natural gas. The city’s strategic plan includes the desire to convert 15 percent (9) of its fleet’s 140 vehicles to fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles over the next decade.
Greer added its first hybrid fuel vehicle, a Toyota Prius, to its fleet earlier this month.
“The commission and city is concerned about our future and new ideas,” Mayor Rick Danner said. “This shows Greer is a 21st century city.”