Clean Energy to Build, Maintain New CNG Fueling Station at Ontario International Airport
The City of Los Angeles has awarded a 10-year contract to Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to design, build, and operate a new public access compressed natural gas fueling station at Ontario International Airport (ONT) to serve the growing fleet of CNG-fueled airport courtesy shuttle buses, taxicabs, and shuttle vans.
CNG fuel requirements at the new Clean Energy/ONT station are expected to top 800,000 gallons each year at full build-out.
ONT provides courtesy shuttle service between the airline terminals, daily parking lots, and the Consolidated Rental Car Facility (RCF). Plans call for the conversion of the entire fleet of airport shuttle buses to CNG power in 2011. In addition, the airport has mandated that all permitted taxicab operators convert 100 percent of their cabs to alternative fuel in the next two years. The new Clean Energy station, located near the RCF, will also be accessible 24/7 to CNG-powered vehicles operating in surrounding communities.
Located 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California, ONT is a medium-hub, full-service airport with commercial jet service to major U.S. cities and through-service to international destinations. The airport is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a unit of Los Angeles municipal government.
Airport Manager Jess Romo said, "We are committed to helping reduce our carbon footprint, in support of the City of Los Angeles 'GREEN LA Action Plan' which focuses on fighting global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We believe that the planned transition of airport vehicles to clean-burning natural gas power will contribute significantly to the success of this effort."
Natural gas produces up to 23 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions than diesel fuel in heavy-duty vehicles and up to 30 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline fuel in light-duty and medium-duty vehicles.