The use of natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel is a proven emission reduction strategy. Although emissions reductions are acheived by use of lower emitting vehicles, an essential element of an alternative fuel vehicle strategy is convenient access to alternative fuel. The MSRC has a long history of promoting the use of low emission vehicles by assisting in the construction of the enabling refueling infrastructure.
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The new public access compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station was constructed at the Long Beach Police Department facility located at 400 West Broadway in Long Beach. A key element of the new station design was to ensure security at the Police Department and nearby Fire Station would not be compromised. Construction on the facility began in late February 2007 following receipt of all necessary permits.
No significant issues were encountered during station construction. During demolition of the old facility, it was discovered that the electrical panel would not be adequate for the new station; this was subsequently upgraded prior to the start of construction of the new CNG refueling station.
Clean Energy, a provider of natural gas and implementer of natural gas refueling infrastructure, partnered with the Long Beach Police Department to construct a publicly accessible natural gas refueling station. The new station replaces a previous CNG station that was at the end of its useful life. The previous station also did not offer public access; it was closed to the public following the events of 9-11 due to security concerns. The new station has been sited to allow public accessibility, and provides convenient refueling access to a variety of users and natural gas vehicles, including but not limited to taxi cabs, shuttles, city-owned vehicles, and privately-owned light duty natural gas vehicles.
The station is currently projected to dispense 145,000 equivalent gallons during its first year of operation. This level of CNG throughput is expected to increase in subsequent years; anticipated CNG throughput in year two is 235,000 equivalent gallons, with year three throughput estimated at 325,000 equivalent gallons.
The CNG refueling station is complete and operational. The station is dispensing on the order of 145,000 equivalent gallons during its first year of operation.