Connection Fall 2013 | Page 19

CNG ADDITIONS clean natural SUPPLY green United Ag, Apache team up to install only CNG station between Houston and Corpus Christi u By Kelly Thompson nited Ag is excited to announce a partnership with Apache Corporation to provide a commercially clean fuel called Compressed Natural Gas. CNG is the cleanest burning fossil fuel that is produced worldwide at a relatively low cost. Compressed natural gas is clean, abundant, odorless and nontoxic, offering a more “green” way to gas up. United Ag is diligently working on finishing touches installing and finalizing our new CNG gas station, which is the only station between Houston to Corpus Christi. accident does occur, CNG will evaporate into air rather than accumulating under the vehicle and is less likely to ignite once it has left the tank. CNG has a limited flash point requiring a correct mixture of air and fuel to burn, allowing it to be safer and more eco friendly. The compressed natural gas industry has grown substantially over the past 100 years. The movements toward cleaner-burning fuels have created an enormous market for natural gas across the country. It accounts for residential, commercial, industrial and electrical power uses. Natural gas is a clean burning alternative fuel that has long been used to power alternative fuel vehicles. Natural gas is domestically produced and drawn from wells or extracted in conjunction with crude oil production. It is a renewable resource emerging from fuel produced by decaying organic materials, such as waste from plants, landfills, wastewater and livestock. Natural gas vehicles (NGV) are similar to gas or diesel in regards to driving range, power, acceleration and cruising speed. They have increased longevity and require less maintenance. NGVs often deliver similar horsepower rating to their diesel and gasoline-powered counterparts. They receive the same fuel economy as a conventional gasoline vehicle on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis. Compared to vehicles fueled by conventional diesel and gasoline, they produce lower levels of emissions and their cost per gallon is significantly less than a gasoline or diesel gallon. Compressed natural gas fuel systems are completely sealed and produce no evaporative emissions. Fuel tanks in compressed natural gas vehicles are designed to withstand extremes of temperature and heavy impact. If an tively lower vehicle emissions, maintenance costs and, most importantly, fuel costs. United Ag is happy to partner with Apache to offer compressed natural gas, allowing members to ac19