Compressed natural gas (CNG) is now paving the streets in the center of Rutland, running the largest commercial laundry in the state, as well as heating the local hospital. The gas is being delivered by NG Advantage and what it calls a "virtual pipeline," consisting of a fleet of high-tech tractor/trailers, as the region waits for the natural gas pipeline to be extended from northern Vermont by 2020.
Rutland’s Mayor Chris Lourassaid, “A significant number of local employers currently use large amounts of #2 and #6 fuel oil to produce heat. This is inefficient, expensive, and not an environmentally sound practice for the long term.
“Rutland”, he continued, “will be more vibrant with the expansion of the Vermont Gas Systems pipeline in six years, but we are not wasting time. Our businesses are thrilled to be converting to natural gas now. We are also looking for ways to create new industries. Food processing is an industry that we are particularly interested in. Industries that use process heat will absolutely require access to gas. We are glad that we can begin selling the advantages of gas in Rutland without waiting for the pipeline. It gives us a real economic development boost.”
This summer Rutland’s downtown district is being repaved by Wilk Paving, a local company that uses compressed gas (CNG) to create its asphalt. Wilk’s owner, Steven Wilk, said, “Being a local business and competing against large conglomerates we need every advantage we can get. Burning CNG delivered by NG Advantage has created a win-win-win situation. Our costs are lower, our emissions are cleaner and our pricing is more competitive. A lower bid for repaving means that all Rutland taxpayers benefit.”
The Rutland Regional Medical Center is Vermont's second-largest health care facility. The hospital recently converted its boilers from burning fuel oil to burning CNG to heat the hospital, provide hot water, and create steam for the hospital’s autoclaves. The hospital is now emitting 26 percent less CO2, and much less NOx and SO2.
Foley Services, also in Rutland, operates a commercial and industrial laundry as well as a rental business providing linen and uniforms to commercial customers. They are one of the oldest family-run linen operations in the nation. Foley is currently in the process of converting from burning fuel oil to CNG. Mark Foley, Jr owner of Foley Services, said, “Our business is very competitive. We are the only Vermont based company in our industry, and our out of state and national competitors have access to natural gas and its significant cost advantages. Utilizing CNG from NG Advantage will help us to continue to grow, to keep our costs in line with those of our competitors, and at the same time improve our environmental footprint. It’s the right decision for our company, our employees, our community and our customers.”
Gerry Myers, COO of NG Advantage, said, “We are proud to be able to bring the economic and environmental benefits of reliable natural gas to Rutland. Our teams are working to educate first responders, town officials, and the operations folk at local companies on the attributes of natural gas and are helping our current customers convert their boilers to burning CNG. We are also looking for new ways to serve more of the city in the interval before the pipeline is extended there.”
Vermont Gas Systems’ Communications Director, Steve Wark, added, “Natural gas service is a game changer for businesses. It will help Rutland’s businesses keep their costs lower, reduce emissions and strengthen the local economy. It is a privilege to work with NG Advantage as they help Rutland usher in new technology in advance of our pipeline that will benefit customers by helping to control costs and by lowering air pollution.”
Source: NG ADVANTAGE LLC, 8.4.2014: NG Advantage, based in Milton, is a leading fuel provider trucking compressed natural gas (CNG) in the US – bringing the economic and environmental benefits of North American natural gas to large institutions and industrial customers without access to a pipeline. The Company’s current customers include hospitals, paper mills, asphalt facilities, food processors, industrial dry cleaners, and light manufacturing facilities. With a compressor station in Vermont, in southern New Hampshire and a third in permitting in the greater Albany area, the Company currently serves customers in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and eastern New York.