FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RENEWS COMMITMENT TO ENSURE CLEANER ENVIRONMENT AND COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO RISING GASOLINE PRICES

Date: 5.23.2005
Contact:
Hanna M. Greer, Franklin County
Phone: (614) 462-5848
Sam Spofforth, COCFC
Phone: (614) 292-5435

(Franklin County) Tuesday, Franklin County Commissioners (BOC) will enter into an agreement with Royalty Enterprises, Inc. (REI) to lease land at 1715 Alum Creek Drive to ensure continued use of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle fueling facility located at this site. In 1996 the county partnered with Columbia Gas to provide a fueling facility for county vehicles and members of the public. This facility is now, one of only two in the county. “REI is an enthusiastic proponent of compressed natural gas and has a proven track record of competently operating fueling facilities,” said Board President Mary Jo Kilroy. “The grand re-opening of the CNG fueling facility on Alum Creek is an important step for our communities in Franklin County. Fuel for CNG vehicles costs roughly $1.30 per gallon and because the natural gas consumed in the United States is primarily domestically supplied, the creation and manufacturing of the natural gas are good stimuli for job growth and the economy. The Board of Commissioners is continuously working to incorporate environmental elements into all aspects of county operations.”

In addition, REI is a member of the Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition (COCFC) and a well-qualified proponent of cleaner – burning CNG fuel. “Gasoline fueled vehicles like cars and buses produce more than 60 percent of all carbon monoxide pollution. By partnering together we are able to offer a natural gas product to Franklin County residents that will provide a safer and cheaper fuel alternative,” said Commissioner Dewey Stokes. Due to the cleaner properties of natural gas as an engine fuel, natural gas vehicles emit a lower level of pollutants than conventional or reformatted vehicles.

“Franklin County citizens and businesses are the real winners in this project,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “I am proud of this partnership with the Clean Fuels Coalition, Columbia Gas and Royalty Enterprises. We are all working to enhance a true asset in our community. Given the price of fuel, I am happy we are promoting a clean and less expensive fuel,” she said.

“MORE”

“Compressed natural gas offers lots of benefits, but the most important is consumer choice,” said Sam Spofforth, Executive Director, Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition. This American fuel gives us a choice that saves money and keeps our hard-earned dollars in Ohio rather than sent oversees to often hostile parts of the world.”

“We will work on more projects in the future to bring more CNG stations and other kinds of American fuels, such as biodiesel and high blends of ethanol to Ohio motorists. So stay tuned,” continued Spofforth.

The Board of Commissioners is confident their new collaboration with REI and COCFC will continue to create more choices for consumers in the search for affordable fuel options as they work extensively to educate consumers that CNG is a real and viable choice for residents of Ohio