ABC Unified School District CNG Station Construction

Contract Number
MS08071
MSRC Award
$63,000.00
Project Background

The ABC Unified School District serves the cities of Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, as well as portions of Lakewood, Long Beach, and Norwalk. ABC Unified includes nineteen elementary schools, five middle schools, three comprehensive high schools. ABC Unified provides pupil transportation services using diesel school buses. A few years ago, ABC Unified participated in a CNG bus demonstration program sponsored by the South Coast AQMD. As a result of the successful outcome of the demonstration, ABC Unified applied for grant funding under the AQMD's Low Emission School Bus Program. Funding for a total of nine (9) CNG school buses was awarded by the AQMD. To help offset the cost of constructing onsite CNG refueling, ABC Unified applied for, and was subseqently awarded, Clean Transportation Funding from the MSRC for the construction of a slow-fill CNG refueling station.

Emission Tons CO Annual
0.00
Emission Tons CO Total
0.00
Emission Tons NOX Annual
0.00
Emission Tons PM Annual
0.00
Emission Tons PM Total
0.00
Emission Tons Rog Annual
0.00
Emission Tons Rog Total
0.00
Other Information
To avoid double counting of emission reductions, the air pollution reduction benefits associated with a CNG school bus strategy are typically assigned to the CNG school buses as opposed to the enabling refueling infrastructure. The nine CNG school buses currently being refueled by the station co-funded by the MSRC will reduce approximately 108 tons of air pollution over their 20-year expected lifetime.
Project Cost Description

350000.00

Project Implementation

Station design and construction contractors were selected using a competitive bid process. Gase Equipment Systems, Inc. (GESI) was selected to construct the CNG refueling station. Station drawings were prepared and submitted to the City of Cerritos Planning Department for approval. Permits were also obtained from the Fire Marshall, ensuring that the station design and construction conformed with fire protection codes NFPA 52 and NFPA 57.

Project Objectives

The objective of this project was to construct a time-fill (slow-fill) CNG refueling station at ABC Unified School District's bus parking and maintenance facility. The new CNG station provides convenient onsite refueling for ABC Unified's current fleet of nine CNG school buses.

Project Results Description

The station experienced two failures during initial testing. A compressor piston failed, requiring replacement of the piston, valves, and associated components. Also, the methane detector was determined to be defective; this was sent back to the manufacturer for repair and has been subsequently reinstalled.

Project State
California
Project Status Description

All station construction was completed as of June 2009. A station ribbon cutting ceremony was held on June 10, 2009. The station is currently providing daily refueling of ABC Unified's CNG bus fleet.

Project Year
Summary Approved
No
Total Project Cost
$350,000.00
Co Funding Amount
$287,000.00
Contractor Address
16700 Norwalk Blvd.
Contractor Agency
ABC Unified School District
Contractor City
Cerritos
Contractor Contact
Sue Highland
Contractor Country
United States of America
Contractor State
CA
Contractor Phone
(562) 809-7437
Contractor ID
0
Contractor Zip
90703
Co Participants
South Coast AQMD Low Emission School Bus Program
Gas Equipment Systems, Inc.
Adrianus Resources
BA Inspection, Inc.
Southern California Gas Company
Final Report Approved
No