what’s working
Clean Energy Fuels, a 20-year-old national company
with a strong presence in Washington state, consults
with employers on fleet conversion to alternative fuels,
such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid natural
gas (LNG), and their own renewable natural gas option,
Redeem, used in bulk in California.
To illustrate the growth in natural gas usage, Clean
Energy offered some recent data: In 2007, the company
sold 75 million gallons of natural gas. That number
jumped to 265 million gallons sold in 2014.
price stability, energy independence
and innovation
Clean Energy and UPS are tapping into innovations that
expand options and access to quality alternative fuels.
“UPS tests and deploys a variety of vehicle types, matched
to the terrain and delivery conditions at each location,”
said Kristal Fiser, director of state government affairs for
the northwest United States. “This approach helps us to
continuously integrate new technologies and operational
efficiencies in our diverse, global delivery fleet.”
— Kristal Fiser, director of state government affairs for
UPS calls its fleet of alternative fuel vehicles a
the northwest United States
“rolling laboratory,” allowing for on-the-road experimentation with new fuel sources and technologies as
part of the company’s “all of the above” energy strat In California, Clean Energy has seen success selling its
egy. This includes the use of natural gas, both CNG and LNG;
renewable natural gas product, Redeem, which is 90 percent
hybrid, which are electric and hydraulic; propane, electricity
cleaner than diesel, in part because of California’s Air Resource
and ethanol in Brazil.
Board incentive, according to Rayburn.
And there is a cost benefit that is not only good for business,
This reality and the environmental goals of states and
but creates greater consumer certainty on the price of products
businesses have led many states to approve similar tax
and services.
incentives for fleet conversions, as well as for the purchase of
“The most common interaction a business has with its
personal alternative fuel and electric cars.
customers is related to the cost of services and products. With
While California and other states are tackling emissions
my company’s switch to natural gas vehicles, fuel prices are
reductions goals using various incentive-based programs,
more stable, and that means I don’t have to raise customer rates
Washington state has yet to follow suit despite proposed
when gasoline price spikes occur,” Dietrich said.
carbon emissions reductions strategies and a Low Carbon
Patric Rayburn, spokesman for Clean Energy, said the growth
Fuel Standard pushed by Gov. Jay Inslee and the state
in alternative fuel use and infrastructure continues to accelerate
Department of Ecology.
since the discovery of large quantities of clean energy supplies
Government mandates and incentives can play a role
in the United States. In fact, he said, over the last decade entire
in business decisions, but employers also construct their
transportation markets, such as waste management and transit
business models based on greater community and legacy
buses, have switched to natural gas, lowering costs and leading
objectives, Dietrich said.
America closer to energy independence.
“Any company is indebted to its community,” Dietrich
“The abundance of natural gas in America has made the
explained. “We are adding in the natural gas infrastructure
for use at our business, but, eventually, we hope to share it
economics and price-stability of the fuel an attractive option
for the benefit of our community by allowing public-sector
for fleets in addition to the environmental benefits of lower
entities access to it. Converting school buses and other local
emissions,” Rayburn added.
government vehicles would save money and be good for the
But, there are still some hurdles, according to Rayburn.
environment. This would be a great success that started with
That’s why any new incentives or mandates get the attention of
one change in our daily operations.”
businesses looking to add alternative fuel vehicles into their fleets.
“UPS tests and deploys a variety of vehicle types,
matched to the terrain and delivery conditions at
each location. This approach helps us to continuously
integrate new technologies and operational
efficiencies in our diverse, global delivery fleet.”
spring 2015
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