WINTER/SPRING 2012
A biannual publication from the partnership between the Clean Cities coalitions in Tennessee and the state of Tennessee.
Bringing alternative fuels, higher fuel economy vehicles, and advanced transportation technologies to the forefront in Tennessee.
IdleAIR Opens 24th Location with Solar panels On January 26, IdleAIR officially unveiled a new 33-space location truck stop electrification (TSE) system at the Pilot at exit 4 off I-81 in White Pine, Tennessee. IdleAIR is a Knoxville-based company that provides long-haul truck drivers with the ability to enjoy a comfortable cab and various amenities during rest periods without idling their engines and wasting expensive diesel fuel. This is the 24th location that IdleAIR has opened, and another 50-60 locations across the country are in the planning stages. What makes the White Pine site unique is the fact that they have a 20-kW solar system mounted to the
TSE infrastructure, so much of the electricity used for HVAC and other services will be emissions free. During the opening, IdleAIR CEO Ethan Garber noted, “We now have more than 1,500 spaces in the U.S. and over 400 fleets signed up. With over 20,000 drivers using the system now, and roughly 1,000 more being added monthly, we will continue growing our system availability and helping America use cleaner, domestic fuels.” Garber also noted that it usually takes 3-6 months to get the equipment usage at a site up to expected levels. To learn more about IdleAIR, visit www.idleair.com.
Athens Utility Board Plans Public Natural Gas Station By August of this year, vehicles will be able to fuel up with compressed natural gas in Athens, TN. The most likely location for this public natural gas station is Decatur Pike near the Interstate 75 interchange, says PBG Energy President Robert Patterson. The station will be unmanned and open 24 hours a day. Customers will simply need to swipe their debit or credit cards in the card reader at the pump.
gallon equivalent, or GGE. Another major benefit of using natural gas is the reduction in emissions. Typically, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced 20-30 percent and particulate matter is reduced 80-90 percent. This is significant in a state that has a blemished air quality history.
Natural gas vehicles give customers a choice as well. They can be dedicated, meaning that they run solely on natural gas, or they can be bi-fuel, which means that they can run on both natural PBG Energy will operate the fuel station while Athens Utilities Board will provide the infrastructure gas and conventional gasoline. and be the wholesale provider of the natural gas. Patterson believes that bringing this station to AUB is pleased to take on this alternative fuel Athens will inspire some area fleets and individuals leadership role for their area and for Tennessee. “I am thrilled,” AUB General Manager Eric Newberry to convert their vehicles to natural gas. “There are companies who have a presence in Athens and said of the station’s progress. “They already use natural gas in other locations. They would be have identified first and second choice station more willing to convert locally if a station is locations.” All of the locations would now make CNG easily available to traffic driving on I-75; this brought to the city,” Patterson said. will open corridor refueling in East Tennessee. Patterson says that fueling vehicles with compressed natural gas will help make the United States less dependent on foreign oil and keep money in the local economy. He also noted that fueling with natural gas is cheaper than gasoline or diesel. At current prices, the cost of natural gas to the customer is the equivalent of $1.89 per gasoline
The compressors and storage tanks at the station will provide the delivery of the equivalent of 500 gallons of gas per day. Patterson said this volume should satisfy demand at the start, and that the station can be easily expanded if usage increases. Patterson anticipates that when more fleets begin to transition to natural gas, additional fueling stations will be opened.
Inside this Issue IdleAir Opens 24th 1 Location with Solar AUB Plans Public 1 Natural Gas Station West TN Round-Up 2 Benjamin Watson 3 Inspriational Award EV Project Makes Headway in TN
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Kingsport Puts 5 Propane into Service Blue Sun Blends at 5 Cummins Terminal