ECUA Gets New Natural Gas Garbage Trucks, ESP To Build Fueling Stations
June 1, 2012
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has taken delivery of the first of 50 new compressed natural gas refuse collection vehicles, and Thursday, Energy Services of Pensacola broke ground on the first of three fast-fill CNG fueling stations.
“Today, as we break ground on this visionary project, we enter a new era for the City of Pensacola, Energy Services of Pensacola, and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “The natural gas vehicles operated by the city and ECUA will cost less to fuel and maintain, and in this era of tight budgets, every dollar we can save counts.”
ECUA projects an annual savings of about $350,000 in maintenance costs and $900,00 in annual fuel costs. ECUA plans to convert an additional 10-15 vehicles in its water and wastewater fleet during the first year of the agreement, with additional vehicles converted over the next eight years as part of normal vehicle replacement schedules.
Instead of one large 80- gallon diesel tank on each sanitation truck, the new CNG trucks have three 25-gallon compressed natural gas tanks. The tanks are stacked between the cab and body or on the top of the body depending on the type of collection vehicle.
The 50 sanitation trucks will cost ECUA $12,029,000, or an average of $240,580 per truck. ECUA expects a $20,000 per truck fuel savings per year over and 8-10 year lifespan for the vehicles.
“ECUA customers will see a direct benefit. Currently the ECUA bills include a fuel surcharge that is based on the price of diesel fuel. At present market cost, the surcharge is $1.45 per month to a full rate customer. Because the price of CNG is appreciably less than diesel fuel, we expect our customers will realize an immediate savings through a reduced fuel surcharge once the switch to CNG has been implemented,” said Randy Rudd, ECUA director of Shared Services.
The new ECUA fast-fill station on ECUA property near Pine Forest Road is expected to be operational by September. Under the terms of the agreement, ECUA will pay ESP a monthly transportation charge as well as an indexed price per diesel gallon equivalent of CNG fuel used by ECUA vehicles. ESP will operate and maintain the station, which eventually will be open to the public and third-party fleets.
Pictured top: Patrick Zeiter and Winston Silvia of Zeit Energy, ESP Director Don Suarez, Mayor Ashton Hayward, and ECUA Board members Elizabeth Campbell and Larry Walker break ground for a fast-fill CNG station on ECUA property just off Pine Forest Road Thursday afternoon. Pictured top inset: Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward speaks Thursday afternoon during a CNG station groundbreaking. Pictured bottom inset: Three CNG tanks behind the cab of new ECUA waste collection vehicle. Pictured below: A new CNG powered ECUA refuse truck. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos At Jackson Generals Postponed Due To Rain
June 1, 2012
Thursday’s game between the Blue Wahoos and Jackson Generals has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will close out their five-game series with a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 5:05 p.m.
Both games will be seven-inning contests. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The pitching matchups for each game have not yet been determined.
The Blue Wahoos will return home following the game to begin their five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.