Clean Energy unveils LNG backbone network for America’s Natural Gas Highway; 150 LNG stations by end of 2013
12 January 2012
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| ANGH Route map shows initial phase of America‘s Natural Gas Highway. Click to enlarge. |
Clean Energy Fuels Corp., the leading provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America, unveiled the route plan for the first phase of 150 new LNG fueling stations for America’s Natural Gas Highway (ANGH). The company has identified 98 locations and anticipates having 70 stations open by the end of 2012 in 33 states.
Many of the fueling stations will be co-located at Pilot-Flying J Travel Centers already serving goods movement trucking through an exclusive agreement with Pilot to build, own and operate natural gas fueling facilities at agreed-upon travel centers. Pilot-Flying J is the nation’s largest truck-stop operator with more than 550 retail properties in 47 states.
Major highway segments planned for early opening include, among others, those linking San Diego-Los Angeles-Riverside-Las Vegas; the Texas Triangle (Houston-San Antonio-Dallas/Ft. Worth); Los Angeles-Dallas; Houston-Chicago; Chicago-Atlanta; and a network of stations along major highways in the mid-west region (IL, IN, OH, MO, KY, TN, KS, OK, AL) to serve the heavy trucking traffic in the area.
Scheduled for completion during 2012 and 2013, the 150 first-phase stations coincide with the expected arrival of new natural gas truck engines well suited for heavy-duty, over-the-road trucking. Engine manufacturers and original equipment truck manufacturers such as Cummins-Westport, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Navistar, Freightliner and Caterpillar are expected to have Class-8 trucks available in engine sizes allowing for varied road and driving requirements.
We are moving quickly to build this important network in order to support the new trucks. Already, Clean Energy has engaged over 100 shippers, private fleets and for-hire carriers that have shared their operations to qualify the economic opportunity of operating natural gas trucks, which has helped us, in turn, plan the first phase of the natural gas fueling highway.
—Andrew J. Littlefair, Clean Energy’s President and CEO
Littlefair noted that the ANGH stations are in addition to the station building planned for the company’s traditional markets in transit, refuse, airport/taxi/shuttle and local/regional trucking, which activity accounted for 63 station projects in 2011.
In July 2011, in an alliance supporting the transition of trucking from diesel to natural gas fuel, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the nation’s second largest natural gas producer, committed an investment of $150 million in Clean Energy to help fund the development of America’s Natural Gas Highway. (Earlier post.)
In September 2011, a group of international investors committed an additional $150 million, and in December 2011, another $150 million was invested, bringing the total investment in Clean Energy in 2011 for fueling station infrastructure development and other capital projects to $450 million.
They could turn NG into DME right at the truck stops for long haul trucks. They can turn the DME into high octane gasoline right at the stations. Turning NG into vehicle fuels closer to the point of use could reduce refinery and transportation accidents and make a better distribution network for fuels.
Posted by: SJC | 12 January 2012 at 09:10 AM
Using SG/NG directly or indirectly for all types of ground vehicles (including trains) would be very effective to quickly reduce crude oil imports, trade deficits and GHG.
USA as a surplus of low cost SG/NG and could import more form Canada.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 January 2012 at 09:53 AM
I would rather see Canada send us NG than tar sands goo, but the Keystone XL pipeline is still on the political warpath. If people want to know why, just follow the money and see who will profit. That will tell you a lot about the story and motivations.
Posted by: SJC | 12 January 2012 at 10:59 AM
We've got 11 years of proven NG reserves at 2010 use rates. We've got 21 years of proven reserves and probable resources.
So we're going to use a bunch of our limited NG supply for transportation as we simultaneously build new NG electricity plants? Oh, and we're gearing up to start exporting NG.
Of course some speculate a "100 supply". But taking a conservative view shouldn't we be looking at spending our money on infrastructure that might be worthless in a few years as the price of the remaining natural gas climbs past affordable?
If we double the use and 21 years is the most accurate number we will see the cost of NG jump over the next decade.
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/future_tense/2011/12/is_there_really_100_years_worth_of_natural_gas_beneath_the_united_states_.single.html
Posted by: Bob Wallace | 12 January 2012 at 12:23 PM
We can always make methane with biomass, solar thermal/electric hydrogen/oxygen and some CO/CO2 from breweries, ethanol plants or power plants.
Posted by: SJC | 12 January 2012 at 01:39 PM
USA and Canada have huge NG an SG reserves. Coal could also be turned into CG easily enough. NG + SG + CG could replace all crude currently imported from the Middle East.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 January 2012 at 04:45 PM
I think they said we had 10 years supply 40 years ago.
Posted by: SJC | 12 January 2012 at 08:39 PM
I don't get? Cryogenic cooling and storage road transport!!
LPG does it better and cheaper.
Posted by: dursun | 13 January 2012 at 05:52 PM
LNG is good for long haul because of fixed routes and durations. LPG is a product of oil and natural gas production, it still has to be distributed. Natural gas comes through existing pipes to a LOT of places.
Posted by: SJC | 13 January 2012 at 07:54 PM