Resource World Magazine

j u n e / j u l y 2 0 1 4 www.resourceworld.com 51 ral gas reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30% – a significant feature since transportation is responsible for 36% of all greenhouse gases. "We're working with fleet operators to find out what fuel works best for them," said Allison. And the fleet operators are taking advantage of the opportunity, with more than 400 vehicles converted to date. Allison said negotiated agreements usually result in FortisBC covering up to 75% of the conversion cost in the first round, reducing to 70% in later rounds. The agreements even cover single vehicle conversions for medium and heavy-duty trucks, with CNG being most popular for vehicles such as buses and waste disposal trucks, and LNG for long haul operations. "We don't have a specific target but we are diversifying," he said. "For example, we can go into the mining sector and marine vessels such as BC Ferries. We're looking at more than just vehicles on the ground. "It's cleaner, cheaper fuel, so when it's time to replace vehicles it just makes sense." Certainly it makes sense to Kenworth, a top truck manufacturer that two years ago introduced the Kenworth T680, which features a Cummins Westport engine that runs on either LNG or CNG. Their natu- ral gas engine uses a maintenance-free, three-way catalyst that doesn't require a diesel exhaust fluid tank, a diesel particu- late filter or selective catalytic reduction technology. "Our customers find it very appealing to be able to choose cost-efficient natural gas combined with the fuel-saving aerody- namics of the Kenworth T680," Kenworth national sales manager for specialty mar- kets, Andy Douglas, said in a press release. "This important expansion of our T680 product line will provide customers in various applications with new benefits and cost-saving opportunities." Sutco Contracting Ltd. of Salmo, BC is one firm that saw the advantages of con- version to natural gas and partnered with FortisBC to make it happen. "We decided to go with it two years ago," said Sutco vice-president Doug Sutherland. "We had heard about the tech- nology and the environmental benefits but price was a problem; it was too big a risk." Then along came FortisBC and their incentive program. "They shared the risk," said Sutherland, noting his company worked with FortisBC to convince the BC Utilities Commission of the value of this initiative. "We've had a good relationship with Fortis. They're always available and willing to work with us." Sutherland said his company has con- verted six of their 70 trucks to LNG and more could be converted in the future. He said the future looks bright for this strong and healthy fuel source, especially in the waste hauling business. But the willingness of carriers to participate in conversions will depend to a large extent on whether 15-litre engines will make a return. "If the 15-litre engine was still around there would be lots using it (natu- ral gas)," he said. Sutherland also noted that, with the abundance of shale gas in BC and Alberta, using it to run fleets "brings stability to fuel management," a stability that doesn't exist in oil-based products, given the volatile prices of that commodity. "Initiatives like this are creating jobs in BC and Alberta in the natural gas industry, and that's impor- tant for the economy," Sutherland added. So what does the future hold? Will we soon see natural gas offered at consumer gas stations too? Allison isn't making any pre- dictions. "Yes, we could see natural gas at the pumps, but we're not at that stage yet," he said. "But it would certainly be good to see." At this point, though, FortisBC is happy to be a leader in this field. "We're ahead of the curve and other jurisdictions are look- ing at what we're doing," said Allison. "We pride ourselves on being innovators." n Left to right, Douglas Sutherland, Vice President, Sutco; Will Smith, Natural Gas for Transportation Solutions Manager, Interior, FortisBC; and Arvind Ramakrishnan, Energy Products and Services Manager, FortisBC. Photo courtesy Sutco Contracting Ltd.

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