Chesapeake Energy Corp. has eliminated its seven-member natural gas vehicle team, which had been responsible for part of the Oklahoma City-based oil and natural gas company’s efforts to develop additional markets for gas usage. Chesapeake has played an important role in adoption of NGVs and development of the infrastructure, and these vehicles play a major role in its own fleet, as Tim Denny, Vice President of Administration, explains in this video. Rich Kolodziej, president of Natural Gas Vehicles for America, said Chesapeake has been an important player, but other companies and organizations have taken on that role now.
NGVAmerica recently sent a letter to 52 state weights and measures delegates urging them to support the adoption of a national standard allowing CNG and LNG to be dispensed in diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) units. Eighty-two NGVAmerica members signed onto the letter. Adoption of a DGE standard would complement the gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) standard already in place for retail sales of CNG. The GGE standard, which has been in place since 1994, states that 5.66 pounds of CNG is equal to 1 GGE. There is no national weights and measure standard for dispensing LNG.
Under a proposal put forward by the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation (CVEF), retailers of LNG would be able to sell LNG in DGE. Retailers of CNG, however, would have a choice. They could continue to sell CNG is GGE units or alternatively would be able to sell CNG in DGE units. The DGE standard is intended to provide clarity for truckers, medium and heavy duty vehicle purchasers, and potential consumers who are accustomed to purchasing diesel fuel.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) announced that it had agreed to be an Event Partner of NGVAmerica’s 2013 North American NGV Conference & Expo, which will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, November 18-21. Themed Natural Gas: Transportation Fuel for a Better Bottom Line, the event is the largest of its kind in the US focused solely on the NGV market — comprising three days of plenary and breakout sessions, a 75,000 square foot exposition, a Ride-and-Drive event, pre-conference site tours, presentation of the annual NGV Achievement Awards, receptions and other networking functions, and a variety of related industry meetings. As an Event Partner, ATA is providing input to NGVAmerica concerning program content, promoting the event to its membership and participating on the program, including a keynote address by ATA President and CEO Bill Graves during the opening plenary session Tuesday, November 19.
