Administrative Services CO-OP (ASC), the largest taxicab cooperative in the Western United States, has begun procuring new, clean-burning CNG-powered taxis for deployment by ASC member Long Beach Yellow Cab.

In addition to this Long Beach area franchise, ASC operates four other taxi companies in the Los Angeles area -- Los Angeles Yellow Cab, South Bay Yellow Cab, Fiesta Taxi and United Checker Cab -- which together serve the region with nearly 1,200 taxis.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. provides fuel for all of ASC's current CNG cabs at its local network of strategically located public access stations.

"ASC taxi fleets will soon include at least 100 clean-burning CNG cabs and, over the next four years, we expect to replace up to 100 more of our conventional gasoline-powered cabs with fuel-efficient models, including the more desirable CNG models, which will help us reduce our carbon footprint," said Bill Rouse, general manager of Long Beach Yellow Cab. Rouse is also vice president of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association.

James Harger, Clean Energy senior vice president, said: "ASC and Long Beach Yellow Cab are clear leaders in promoting the use of natural gas fuel. We look forward to the deployment of more CNG-powered taxis in their Greater Los Angeles service area, which will enhance both the health and environmental benefits of all its citizens."

Funding for the new Long Beach CNG cabs was provided by a grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). These vehicle acquisition and deployment grants are awarded to applicants who can demonstrate that their projects will produce measurable air quality benefits as harmful emissions are reduced.

Clean Energy, a leading provider of natural gas (CNG and LNG) for transportation in North America, has a broad customer base in the refuse, transit, ports, shuttle, taxi, trucking, airport and municipal fleet markets.