County works toward CNG fueling station for next year

Lower cost, alternative fuel

Gunnison County is taking steps toward a future of less petroleum and more alternative fuels. The idea of converting fleets to natural gas came from the Board of County Commissioners’ 2013 strategic plan, which lists numerous ways the county is working to protect the environment. The goal for Gunnison, according to John Cattles, director of facilities and grounds for the county, is to have a privately owned, publicly accessible, for-profit compressed natural gas (CNG) station so individuals and businesses in Gunnison County or with fleets that pass through Gunnison can take advantage of lower cost, alternative fuel. “The station will be fast-fill, so it will be much like going to a regular gas station and filling up,” Cattles said.

CNG is made by compressing natural gas to less than one percent of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure. The gas consists mostly of methane so it is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Cattles said Colorado governor John Hickenlooper has made building fueling infrastructure a priority in Colorado and is combining efforts with neighboring states to commit to switching state vehicle fleets to CNG. “For heavy vehicles like buses, tractor trailers, dump trucks, and trash trucks CNG is the best alternative fuel available,” Cattles said.
“It is market-ready with several models and options available, and is proven,” Cattles continued.
Many vehicles driven in the county can be purchased as both gasoline- and CNG-friendly, so when the option for CNG is unavailable gasoline can also be used. CNG produces about 30 percent less greenhouse gases than diesel and is locally sourced, not imported. It is also about half the cost of diesel.
Cattles explained that stable, predictable fuel prices are unheard of in gas and diesel markets and costs are often directly related to commitments and contracts. But CNG would come from existing natural gas pipelines and would not require any refining or shipping. The cost of producing CNG would be based on the cost of the gas and the cost to compress it. Unlike gasoline and diesel, Cattles said, all sizes and types of vehicles could fill up with CNG at the same station.
The new CNG station would not utilize gas wells in the county or require any new wells to be developed; natural gas would instead come from existing pipeline infrastructure. The compression would be done locally, and Cattles believes the cost of compression would thus support local jobs. Currently, national efforts to create natural gas-powered roadways are strengthening and incentives are being offered so private operators will build public stations. By December 31, 2015, Gunnison County will have a plan to convert its vehicle fleet to natural gas, and according to county manager Matthew Birnie, the fueling station should be in place and operational during 2016. The county will be applying for grants this spring.