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Link to New York State Clean Fueled Vehicles Program

STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR

June 24, 2004

GOVERNOR: PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PROMOTES USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES STATEWIDE

Eight Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Stations Now Open to Public

Governor George E. Pataki today announced a new innovative public-private partnership between the State and Clean Energy -- the largest provider of vehicular natural gas in North America -- that will create a "clean fuel corridor" in New York by opening eight compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations across the State to the public for the first time. The initiative will make CNG fuel more readily available and further promote the use of clean-fueled vehicles by local governments, schools, businesses and other New Yorkers.

The Governor was joined by Andrew Littlefair, President and CEO of Clean Energy, State and local officials and numerous industry representatives during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the public opening of one of the new stations which is located at the Perry B. Duryea, Jr. State Office Building in Hauppauge, Suffolk County.

Governor Pataki said, "New York is leading the nation in efforts to promote energy independence, economic opportunity and environmental protection through the promotion of clean, renewable, and reliable energy sources. I’m proud to support innovative partnerships, like the one announced today with Clean Energy, which will help us reduce our dependence on foreign oil and provide environmental and economic benefits for future generations.

"Ensuring that we, our children and our grand children enjoy the benefits of clean air continues to be one of our highest priorities in New York State – and one of our greatest challenges. This new initiative will go a long way toward reducing vehicle emissions in New York and help further our goal of becoming a world leader in clean and renewable energy technologies," Governor Pataki added.

Current law allows State-operated fueling stations to sell only to State vehicles. In order to extend fueling availability beyond State agencies and facilitate the use of clean-fueled vehicles in the State, New York recently entered into an innovative partnership with Clean Energy to build a network of high volume, CNG stations on State-owned lands in major metropolitan areas or along heavily traveled routes.

New York State's agreement with Clean Energy calls for the company to take over operations and management of seven existing, State-owned, high-volume CNG stations located throughout the State and to construct one new station. The eight stations recently opened to the general public, as well as local governments, and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The agreement also allows for the consideration of additional sites in the future.

Andrew J. Littlefair, President and CEO of Clean Energy said, "The State of New York has established the most progressive policy and program for State Agencies in the country, for reducing foreign oil dependency, air pollution, and leading the shift to natural gas in preparation for the future use of hydrogen. This public/private partnership provides an important means for the local agencies to develop and expand their natural gas vehicle programs while establishing a network of publicly available fueling stations."

Senator John J. Flanagan said, "When we are fueling our cars most of us do not think about air quality even though we should. Improved air quality translates to improved health and ecology. I applaud Governor Pataki for his vision and tenacity in pursuing this program and for putting New York on the path to a healthier, cleaner environment for our generation and for those to come."

Senator Caesar Trunzo said, "Governor Pataki's use of public/private partnerships to develop innovative solutions has produced tremendous benefits for New York State. This new CNG initiative will promote the use of cleaner vehicles and positions us to take advantage of future advances in alternative fuels. I'd like to thank the Governor for coming here to Long Island to demonstrate his commitment to pursuing high-tech, cost-effective solutions to safeguarding and improving our State's environmental resources."

Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick said, "I am very pleased that Governor Pataki has come to Long Island to announce this innovative public-private partnership, another in a long series of initiatives from his administration for a better environment for all New Yorkers. Here on Long Island, where we are so reliant upon our automobiles, clean fuel technologies will not only help reduce air pollution, but help to decrease our dependence upon foreign energy supplies."

Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive, said, "We in Suffolk County join in the Governor's goals of enhancing air quality through more environmentally friendly modes of transportation. Our new bus fleet will be of the low-emission variety in order to show our support for this joint effort."

Pete McGowan, Supervisor, Town of Islip, said, "The Town of Islip applauds Governor Pataki's initiatives for alternative-fueled vehicles. By opening a fueling site in Hauppauge, private citizens will have the opportunity to join the State in reducing our dependence on foreign fuel, while helping to provide cleaner air. It’s a win-win situation."

According to Clean Energy, using natural gas is one of the best ways to reduce harmful air pollutants because natural gas burns cleaner than gasoline and other alternative fuels, reducing tailpipe emissions by up to 95%. In addition, factory built natural gas vehicles produce emission levels lower than any other fuel except for hydrogen, even lower than some electric cars, when power plant emissions are taken into account.

NYS Office of General Services Commissioner and Chair of the Clean-Fueled Vehicle Council Kenneth J. Ringler, Jr. said, "Thanks to the leadership of Governor Pataki and Lt. Governor Donohue, New York is a national leader in the use and purchase of clean fueled vehicles and in fact, every year since the Federal Energy Policy Act we have exceeded the federally mandated requirements for purchase of alternative-fueled vehicles. This partnership is another step to further AFV use by helping to ensure that New York State has a network of dependable CNG stations in the most critically needed areas."

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman said, "Thanks to the leadership of Governor Pataki, New York State has established itself as a national leader in the provision of a quality clean fuel infrastructure through this unique public benefit partnership with Clean Energy, LLC. Access to these facilities will help encourage greater public interest in clean-fueled vehicle technology, as well as provide State forces with an expanded network of easily accessible centers to serve our State’s rapidly expanding clean-fueled vehicle fleet, contributing to air quality and economic efficiency."

The President of NYSERDA, Peter R. Smith said, "NYSERDA is pleased to take an active role in implementing Governor Pataki’s vision for New York to lead the way in the use and promotion of alternative-fueled vehicles, and the infrastructure that supports these vehicles. Now, more than ever, we need to reduce our dependency on foreign energy sources, and the partnership between New York and Clean Energy is another step in the right direction."

Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Boston Region Hugh Saussy said, "I congratulate the New York State Clean-Fuel Vehicle Program and their partners for their part in making New York a national leader in making natural gas for vehicles more accessible. This project is yet another example of what can be accomplished when there is strong leadership in State government and willing partners in the private sector to provide cleaner air, reduce our need to import fuel, and improve our economy."

New York State’s Clean Fueled Vehicle Program was created in 1996 through Governor Pataki’s Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act. The program was established within OGS with the purpose of acquiring clean-fueled vehicles for State use and testing and evaluating new technologies. The program is operated by the Clean-Fueled Vehicle Council, which includes OGS and representatives from 16 agencies and the State University of New York.

Beginning in model year 1997, the Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) required State agencies to increase their acquisitions of alternative-fueled vehicles for State fleets. New York State has exceeded these federally mandated requirements for the sixth consecutive year – in model year 2003, by nearly 14 percent.

In 1995, the State owned almost no clean-fueled vehicles. Under the Governor’s leadership, New York State currently has close to 4,000 alternative-fueled vehicles in its fleet, using a variety of different fuels, such as CNG, ethanol, propane, electric and hybrid vehicles. These vehicles make up almost 29 percent of the total vehicles in the State’s fleet. By 2009, that number is expected to jump to 62 percent. CNG burns cleaner and produces as much as 95 percent less smog-forming emissions than gasoline, diesel and propane and because of this, also requires less maintenance on engines.

Currently, the State operates 48 CNG stations, including the Clean Energy Stations. The CNG station locations open to the public and managed and operated by Clean Energy include:

• ALBANY - OGS parking lot, McCarty Avenue @ Route 9W;
• POUGHKEEPSIE - State Office Building, 4 Burnett Boulevard;
• HAUPPAUGE - State Office Building, Veterans Memorial Highway;
• NORTH SYRACUSE – DOT Equipment Management Shop, 5430 South Bay Road;
• RUSH – DOT Park and Ride Commuter Lot, 1235 Rush-Scottsville Road;
• BINGHAMTON - DOT Highway Maintenance Facility, 112 Barlow Road;
• UTICA - DOT Equipment Management Shop, Harbor Lock Road;
• SYOSSET – DOT Highway Maintenance Facility, 500 Robbins Lane.

Clean Energy is the largest provider of vehicular natural gas in North America with a broad customer base in the refuse, transit, shuttle, taxi, police, intrastate and interstate trucking, airport and municipal fleet markets—with tens of thousands of vehicles fueling daily at strategic locations in the United States and Canada. For more information, please visit www.cleanenergyfuels.com.

For more information on New York’s Clean Fueled Vehicles Program visit www.ogs.state.ny.us/cleanfuels.