BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — TruStar Energy, a leading developer of compressed natural gas [CNG] fueling infrastructure throughout the US, is excited to announce the contract award to upgrade the CNG fueling station for Kern County Superintendent of Schools bus fleet, located in Bakersfield, Cal.
The contract to update and expand the public / private station includes removing older compressors and associated infrastructure and replacing that with new state-of-the art compressors, fueling hoses, new fueling dispensers, and a canopy, said Kern County Superintendent of Schools Energy Conservation Supervisor, Scott Fieber.
Kern County opened its school bus CNG fueling station in 2006.“Since the original station’s construction in 2005, we’ve gone from 10 buses to 60. We’ve just outgrown the existing station by all shapes and forms,” said Fieber, adding that improvements to the public portion of the station will be immediately appreciated.
Fieber said the public demand for CNG has also risen dramatically – both in terms of the number of vehicles he is seeing – as well as the types of vehicles arriving to fuel. “We’re seeing new garbage trucks show up almost every week as well as one of our corporate clients with over 100 trucks.”
Fieber said the increase in public fueling made the expansion necessary.
“We’re going from one dispenser to two – as well as adding a modern illuminated canopy to provide cover from both the sun and the rain. It will also make it easier for the public to find,” Fieber said.
Two larger-capacity compressors will replace the older compressors – effectively doubling the fuel production of the station. This will support Kern County’s fueling strategy that calls for the fleet of buses to be fueled at night, during off-peak hours (when electricity is cheapest).
“Time filling the bus fleet at night will also be done without a fuel attendant, which also reduces labor; thus, saving the county more money,” said Fieber.
TruStar Energy Vice President of Sales, Scott Edelbach said TruStar Energy construction crews will break ground sometime in September and the station is scheduled for completion near the end of December.
“California is really where compressed natural gas-powered vehicles started – so we’re naturally proud and excited to see one of the earlier stations developing plans for expansion to both public and private sides of the station,” said Edelbach.
TruStar Energy President Adam Comora said TruStar Energy’s growth is being driven by being the preferred partner for companies desiring to convert their fleets from diesel to CNG. Given the significant cost savings, “speed is of the essence” in order to capture these cost savings as quickly as possible. TruStar Energy delivers cost effective and on-time CNG fueling solutions.
“Natural gas is better for the environment, better for domestic energy independence and better for the bottom line – truly a win-win-win solution,” said Comora
According to Edelbach, the station expansion will begin in September and should be completed before the end of the calendar year.
About TruStar Energy LLC
TruStar Energy LLC is the preferred partner for commercial fleets looking to transition their fuel supply from oil to natural gas. TruStar Energy provides a suite of solutions making the transition as simple and easy as possible for the customer. With station builds throughout the US and Canada, TruStar Energy is a recognized leader in providing CNG infrastructure and CNG fueling solutions.
