In response to an Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s (ECUA) Board directive, the ECUA recently finalized a ten-year compressed natural gas (CNG) agreement with Energy Services of Pensacola (ESP)
As part of the agreement, ESP will construct a fast-fill CNG station on ECUA property located at 3050 Godwin Lane, with station access on Pine Forest Road. Steve Sorrell, ECUA Executive Director, says, “Design and permitting will begin immediately, and construction is expected to be completed in July 2012. ESP will provide CNG to the ECUA at a fee based on the New York commodity rate. ESP will operate and maintain the station, which will be open to the public and third-party fleets.â€
Sorrell added, “By transitioning to CNG in natural gas vehicles (NGVs), the ECUA is projecting an annual maintenance cost savings in excess of $350,000, and over $1 million in annual fuel costs. And there are environmental benefits associated with the use of NGVs in that there are less greenhouse gas emissions. While there are up-front capital costs in buying or converting to a natural gas fleet, the fuel costs are considerably lower, making NGVs much more affordable over the long run.†In the U.S., the current per-gallon price range for diesel fuel is generally between $3.40 and $3.80. The price range of natural gas starts at just over $1.00 per equivalent gallon.