OTTAWA, Jan. 7 /CNW/ - The Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance
(CNGVA) today welcomed the release of a roundtable report on natural
gas use in the transportation sector. The deployment roadmap report
highlights the competitiveness and environmental benefits of
introducing natural gas for trucking along key corridors and for urban
fleets in Canada. The report resulted from work undertaken by the
members of the Natural Gas Use in Transportation Roundtable.
The CNGVA praised the Government of Canada for this initiative and noted
the significant leadership demonstrated by Natural Resources Canada in
bringing together fleet end users, environmental groups, government,
and industry to look at the best uses for natural gas in Canada's
transportation sector.
"This an excellent example of federal leadership and industry
collaboration. Natural gas can provide clean, cost effective
transportation solutions which will benefit all Canadians," said
Jonathan Burke, Chair of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance and
Vice President of Vancouver-based Westport Innovations.
The key finding of the report was that trucking fleets that operate
along regional corridors and in urban areas can improve their
competitiveness and reduce their environmental impacts by using natural
gas. Canadian communities will also benefit: first, by the use of
lower emission natural gas refuse collection trucks and other
commercial vehicles; and second, from local jobs created by Canadian
companies who are leading suppliers of innovative natural gas vehicle
and station technologies.
Industry is investing in natural gas incrementally, but government can
help lower the barriers to wider adoption. "Operating natural gas
trucks helps reduce one of our largest costs (fuel) and reduces our
carbon footprint. This is a win-win for both the environment and for
fleets who adopt natural gas," said Claude Robert, President and CEO of
Robert Transport, one of Canada's largest for hire trucking companies
who recently purchased 180 natural gas trucks.
Natural gas is a clean-burning and less carbon intensive fuel . Canada
is a leading producer with more than 100 years of available resources.
Wayne Geis, Vice President, Natural Gas Economy for Calgary-based
Encana Corporation noted, "Technology breakthroughs have unlocked vast
new supplies of natural gas and increased use in transportation will
drive economic growth and new job creation within Canada."
Heavy trucks and buses, the focus of the report's recommendations,
represent less than 5 per cent of vehicles in Canada, but they
contributed nearly one-third of carbon emissions from on-road vehicles
in 2008.
The Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance advocates for the sustainable growth of natural gas vehicles,
refuelling infrastructure, and renewable gaseous fuels for the benefit
of Canada's economy and environment. Canadian companies are leading
suppliers of natural gas vehicle and station technologies. Renewable
natural gas made from waste sources can be used for near zero emissions
performance.
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