Key highlights of the upgrade include:

• High capacity CNG compressors up to 2,000 scfm (equivalent to 850 gallons of diesel per hour);
• State-of-the-art PLC unmanned control systems setup for remote monitoring; and
• Fast flow CNG dispensers with electronic temperature compensation.

Clean Energy, through a contract with OGS and the Department of Transportation (DOT), currently operates 11 state-owned CNG fueling facilities, 10 of which are open to the public. NYSERDA provided a $150,000 contract under the Clean Cities Challenge Program to support the upgrades to the Clean Energy’s Hauppauge facility. NYSERDA has previously awarded $166,000 to Clean Energy to construct two new CNG stations and take over operation of another seven stations for the State.

The expanded station also supports a landmark program instituted by the Town of Smithtown that requires all residential refuse collection vehicles contracted by the town to be CNG-powered models.

Smithtown is the first community outside of California to implement a program with a 100-percent mandate for CNG. A total of 22 CNG trucks will be used for Smithtown trash collection.

The installation of the first high volume public access CNG fueling station on Long Island is a major advancement in placing more heavy duty CNG vehicles into service. KeySpan commends the Partnership formed by New York State through Governor Pataki and Clean Energy to create the East Coast’s largest public access CNG fueling station. KeySpan also salutes the leadership and vision of Supervisor Vecchio and his staff to implement a CNG sanitation truck solution for the Town of Smithtown. This requirement has created the demand for the new CNG station.

—Robert Catell, Chairman and CEO KeySpan

In 2003, New York State entered into a partnership with Clean Energy to operate some of the State’s CNG facilities and open them to the public. Clean Energy operates 10 CNG fueling stations in New York State that are open to the public, and another station that is used solely for State vehicles. Overall, there are 59 CNG stations across the State, though most are for State vehicle use only.

Under a fuel-neutral approach, New York has transformed its vehicle fleet from having almost no clean-fueled vehicles in 1995 to now having 6,143 alternative-fueled vehicles, approximately 46% of total State vehicles, with an additional 277 on order. Of the total alternative-fueled vehicles:

• 2,216 use CNG;
• 2,291 can use ethanol (E85);
• 101 are electric;
• 129 use propane;
• 574 are hybrid vehicles;
• 831 use neighborhood electric; and
• 1 uses hydrogen.