DUBLIN, OHIO – The City of Dublin has received a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and Clean Fuels Ohio for a compressed natural gas (CNG) project, which includes a CNG fueling facility and 44 CNG-fueled city vehicles. The City will also receive $275,000 from IGS Energy, which will provide natural gas to the facility.
The new fuel facility is a “fast-fill” station, allowing vehicles to be fueled in approximately the amount of time as diesel vehicles, according to the City. Construction costs were funded through the U.S Department of Energy and Clean Cities grant. The Clean Cities grant is administered locally by Clean Fuels Ohio, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of cleaner, domestic fuels and efficient vehicles.
The 44 vehicles being converted include one Ford Transit, two Ford Fusions, one Ford F-350, 23 F-250s and 17 F-150s. The conversion kits are all EPA certified and the vehicles will be dedicated CNG vehicles. With these 44 vehicles alone, the City anticipates saving at least $30,000 per year in fuel costs and reducing carbon emissions by 90 percent.
Over the next several years, as more vehicles are replaced, the City plans to add additional CNG vehicles to the fleet. The City's Division of Fleet Management is an ASE Blue Seal shop, with all six vehicle technicians certified in CNG conversion kit installation and currently two ASE Certified in CNG vehicle maintenance and repair.
The new CNG station will be open to corporate fleets and the public. IGS will provide an account and access card to those who enroll in their program. IGS will supply the natural gas to the City’s station and bill CNG users who enroll in the program.
A station grand opening and dedicated will be held 10 a.m. on June 28 at the City of Dublin Division of Fleet, 6351 Shier-Rings Road, Dublin, OH 43016. Speakers will include City of Dublin Mayor Tim Lecklider, president of IGS Energy Scott White, Executive Director of Clean Fuels Ohio Sam Spofforth and U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Regional Manager Erin Russell-Story.
Following the ceremonial dedication, from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., there will be a CNG “Lunch and Learn,” sponsored by IGS Energy, at the Dublin Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017. This event will feature a “CNG 101” presentation followed by a panel of speakers involved in the Dublin CNG project who will answer questions related to CNG vehicles and conversions, infrastructure, and the Dublin CNG Station. Lunch will be provided.
