PUC Commissioner Promotes CNG Fleet Conversion at Annual TMACC Legislative Breakfast

The press release below comes from the Transportation Management Authority of Chester County:

Robert F. Powelson believes compressed natural gas (CNG) provides a unique opportunity for the state to utilize a lower-cost, lower-emission resource to meet its transportation needs.

Powelson, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, addressed an audience of more than 120 transportation and civic leaders at the annual Legislative Breakfast of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) on Tuesday morning at the Downingtown Country Club. He was joined by U.S. Congressmen, Jim Gerlach (R – 6^th District) and Patrick Meehan (R – 7^th District), who both gave briefings of transportation funding and tax reform deliberations in Congress.  U.S. Congressman Joe Pitts (R – 16^th District), who could not attend, was represented by his District Chief of Staff, Tom Tillett.

While the Congressmen had sobering news about political gridlock forcing much-needed transportation legislation to be delayed until after the November elections, Powelson, animated and enthusiastic, painted a sunny picture about the future of CNG in the Commonwealth.  CNG has the potential to reduce our dependence on foreign oil; expand the utilization of natural gas produced in the state; reduce the air emissions from the transportation sector; and reduce the cost of transportation fuels for businesses and consumers, he said.

However, the state needs converts.

Powelson explained that the conversion of public transit systems and vehicle fleets, including school buses and state, county and municipally-owned vehicles, will create new jobs as well as help to build out Pennsylvania’s CNG infrastructure. To incentivize the conversion of vehicle fleets, $20 million in grant funds is available from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Natural Gas Energy Development Fund.

Currently, Lower Merion School District is the only local district to convert its school bus fleet to CNG. Centre Area Transportation Authority in State College, where Penn State University is located, is the only transit authority to convert its entire fleet to CNG.

“We need more leadership in Chester County around this issue,” said Powelson, a former president the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry.

TMACC Executive Director P. Timothy Phelps believes there is momentum building in the county.

“This abundant source of domestic energy will provide significant fuel cost savings to companies that convert their fleet of vehicles,” he said. “Compressed natural gas could also help lower our dependence on foreign oil and improve air quality. In addition to Chester County’s open space policy, who doesn’t want greener grass and bluer skies?”

The forum was sponsored by Parsons Brinkerhoff; Liberty Property Trust; Traffic Planning and Design; Aqua, Krapf Coaches; Immaculata University; Pennoni; PECO; McMahon and Associates; and Reinos, Holiday Inn Express – Exton.