SEAL BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ohio's Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) has signed
an agreement with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to develop and operate
a new compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel station to support the
transition of half of SARTA's bus fleet to natural gas power.
Located in Canton, Stark County, Ohio, the new fast-fill public access
Clean Energy CNG station will operate 24/7 to support SARTA buses as
well as other CNG vehicles operating in the area. Station opening is
projected for the fourth quarter, 2011.
Over the next two years, the transit agency expects to deploy 9 new CNG
fixed-route 32-passenger buses and 17 CNG paratransit buses as
replacements for 50% of the diesel models in its fleet.
"SARTA places high value on the reduced fuel costs and environmental
benefits offered by natural gas. Across the United States, Clean Energy
is partnering with many leading public transit agencies like SARTA to
reliably fuel over 5,500 buses daily nationwide," said James Harger,
Chief Marketing Officer, Clean Energy. "We commend the SARTA leadership
for taking such strong, positive action to bring the benefits of natural
gas fuel to the communities they serve."
SARTA CEO Kirt Conrad said, "SARTA strives to be energy and cost
efficient. By switching at least half our fleet over the next two years
to CNG buses, it will allow us to reduce our fuel costs by over
$300,000. SARTA can also begin using a domestic fuel source and reduce
carbon emissions. In addition, we are proud to be the first in Stark
County to provide a public CNG fueling station."
Costing less than diesel, natural gas fuel produces up to 23%-percent
lower greenhouse gas emissions in medium to heavy-duty vehicles. U.S.
Department of Energy reports estimate that 98% of the natural gas
consumed in the U.S. is sourced in the U.S. and Canada. Using natural
gas fuel can prevent tons of emissions from entering the atmosphere
throughout the operating life of a typical bus fleet, while also
lowering a transit agency's operating costs significantly.
SARTA provides an average of 2.1 million passenger rides each year. In
addition to deploying fixed-route service in Canton, Massillon, Jackson,
Alliance, North Canton, Louisville and Hartville, SARTA offers the
Proline paratransit bus service throughout Stark County.
In October 2006, SARTA was recognized as the "Most Outstanding Public
Transportation System" in the United States among agencies of similar
size. This national award is given annually by the American Public
Transportation Association (APTA) to public transportation systems that
have demonstrated achievement in efficiency and effectiveness in
deploying transit services.
About Clean Energy Fuels — Clean Energy (Nasdaq: CLNE) is the
largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America
and a global leader in the expanding natural gas vehicle market. We have
operations in CNG and LNG vehicle fueling, construction and operation of
CNG and LNG fueling stations, biomethane production, vehicle conversion
and compressor technology.
This news release contains forward looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as
a result of several factors. The forward-looking statements made herein
speak only as of the date of this news release and, unless otherwise
required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update
such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances. Additionally, reports and other documents Clean Energy
Fuels Corp. (the company's corporate parent) files with the SEC
(available at www.sec.gov)
contain risk factors, which may cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news
release.
Clean Energy
Bruce Russell, 310/559-4955 x101
brussell@cleanenergyfuels.com
Source: Clean Energy Fuels Corp.
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