FortisBC unveils new compressed natural gas fuelling station in Kamloops
Oct 25, 2017
KAMLOOPS, BC – A compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling station in Kamloops opened today as part of FortisBC’s commitment to providing cleaner energy solutions for its customers.
FortisBC is dedicated to investing in infrastructure to develop natural gas for transportation (NGT) in the City of Kamloops and throughout the Province. The size of the station, as well as the convenient location close to the highway and the Kamloops commercial and industrial area, makes the station ideal for providing fuel to medium to large CNG-powered vehicles in the area.
Why CNG?
With B.C,'s transportation industry accounting for the largest share of provincial greenhouse gas emissions, approximately 37 per cent, converting fleets and vehicles to natural gas helps the province meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals and helps improve air quality in the communities in which they serve. Natural gas burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel and results in 15 to 25 per cent less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the principal greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Natural gas vehicles emit virtually no particulate matter, which improves air-quality and reduces the impacts on human health.
As a result, fleet owners and operators across North America are increasingly switching to natural gas to not only reduce their environmental impact, but also save on fuel costs. Natural gas vehicles can save approximately 25 to 40 per cent in fuel costs compared to diesel. It’s also become easier to make the switch. The technology is proven and mature, and there is now an abundance of natural gas vehicle manufacturers. Another benefit is quieter operation—natural gas vehicles are quieter than comparable diesel trucks, benefiting drivers and the communities they operate in.
Building infrastructure in a key location like Kamloops will help the fleet owners and operators make the choice to switch to cleaner burning natural gas.
Natural gas refuelling has taken place in B.C. since the mid-1980s at existing retail gasoline stations that have a separate refuelling island for natural gas and is one of the safest transportation fuels available.
Compressed natural gas is similar to the natural gas our customers receive in their home or businesses FortisBC customers use to heat their homes and business, dry clothes and cook food. The main difference is that compressed natural gas is stored under pressure.
All of FortisBC’s CNG fuelling stations are designed to strict codes and standards and must be inspected and secure approvals by multiple safety authorities prior to the station becoming operational. Upon refuelling, a sealed system is created between the fuel dispenser and vehicle and CNG will not flow unless a fuel dispenser is properly connected to the vehicle.
In the unlikely event that there is a leak, the fuel will rise into the atmosphere and dissipate, so there is no risk to soil or groundwater.
Find out more about how FortisBC is using natural gas in transportation to help create a cleaner energy future.