GAIN® Partners with FST Logistics to Bring CNG Station to Central Ohio
GAIN® Clean Fuel Partners with FST Logistics to Bring New Compressed Natural Gas Filling Station to Central Ohio
Hilliard, OH – FST Logistics and U.S. Oil have partnered in the development of a GAIN® Clean Fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station in Hilliard Ohio to service its recently purchased fleet of CNG trucks. The public-access, fast-fill station located on interstates I70 and I270 will feature two dual-hose CNG dispensers.
“The grand opening of the Hilliard GAIN station is very strategic,” Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks said. “Congratulations to FST Logistics for utilizing a domestically produced and cleaner burning alternative fuel for their fleets. This trucking company employs more than 200 here in Franklin County, and plays a vital role in Ohio’s food supply chain by transporting frozen goods to market. Projects like this have a definite impact on our local and state economies by reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”
Finding the right location is critical to the success of CNG sites and to the carriers that use them. “Our research showed this was the ideal location for us – we can tap into the major natural gas supplier in Columbus and the bulk of our trucks run through or very near this location on a daily basis,” says Dave Kent, President of FST Logistics. “As we look toward future expansion, we feel very comfortable going 100% CNG.”
The lower CO2 emissions and the fuel-cost savings over diesel makes the decision to convert vehicles to CNG fuel an easier one. “The average Class 8 truck that is converted from diesel to CNG will reduce more than 60 metric tons of CO2 emitted into our atmosphere every year. The new Hilliard station will be our 17th and is projected to replace the equivalent of 300,000 gallons of diesel fuel in its first year and more than 1.5 million gallons in the next five years,” said Bill Renz, general manager for GAIN Clean Fuels. “Our plan is to have more than 100 of the stations operating within the next three years.”
Management of the site construction was headed up by of CESO Inc., a full service consulting firm located in Canton, Ohio. “The impact of locally available, clean, and inexpensive fuel source is a game-changing development for the trucking industry. We were thrilled to be working with U.S. Oil on this GAIN Clean Fuel station and share their vision of how to deliver CNG fuel to the trucking industry and public – across the United States,” said Dan Petno, senior director of strategic initiatives for CESO.
The use of CNG fuel is on the rise. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, natural gas powers more than 100,000 vehicles in the United States and roughly 11.2 million vehicles worldwide. It is the fastest growing source in the transportation/trucking sector. The advantages of natural gas as an alternative fuel include domestic availability, widespread distribution infrastructure, low cost compared with gasoline and diesel, and clean-burning qualities.
“It’s because of these economic, environmental, and energy security benefits that we support natural gas as a transportation fuel and are excited to welcome this new CNG station to central Ohio,” said Sam Spofforth, Executive Director of Clean Fuels Ohio. “With more new public natural gas stations like this opening across the state, and pending incentives in the legislature like House Bill 336 – Ohio is poised to become a national leader in deploying natural gas vehicles and fueling stations.”