LNG stands for liquefied natural gas. It’s natural gas in liquid form, and this clean-burning alternative fuel could represent the future, not only for Parsec operations, but also for all sorts of vehicles nationwide.

In December, Commerce took delivery of 10 brand new LNG-powered Ottawa hostlers. That makes Parsec the first intermodal facility in the country to try out natural gas vehicles as an alternative to diesel fuel.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” says Parsec Vice President David Budig, who worked closely with Regional Manager Don Allan, Vice President Frank Barnes and Hobart Terminal Manager Kevin Brenson in getting the vehicles. “We see LNG as one of the potential fuel alternatives for a cleaner environment,” David says, “and we’re excited to be the first to test them in an intermodal facility.”

Don says the LNG experiment grew out of its close partnership with the BNSF. The railroad already has two LNG-powered trucks at its Port of Los Angeles, and was looking to expand its emission reductions at other locations.

Tests have shown that LNG vehicles can have a dramatic effect on reducing harmful emissions of toxic and carcinogenic pollutants, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, which is the primary greenhouse gas (see “Facts About Natural Gas Vehicles”).

Don says that by switching to LNG fuel for its hostler fleet, Parsec could potentially eliminate tons of carbon dioxide emissions. “Plus, since LNG is domestically produced, it reduces our dependence on foreign oil,” he adds.

Horsepower, acceleration, cruising speed and range of the LNG vehicles are comparable to a conventional diesel-powered hostler. “If I put you in both trucks, once you were rolling you’d never know the difference. The only difference is that the LNG truck is much quieter,” Don says.

Before the trucks could go into service, there had to be a source for fuel at the terminal itself. A temporary fueling station was built onsite at Commerce by the BNSF. The final permits were received and, on May 11, the trucks were up and running.

Don says the BNSF is looking at the possibility of constructing a larger near-dock facility partly inside the Port of Los Angeles. If the test of the vehicles at Parsec’s Commerce facility goes well, the railroad hopes to incorporate alternate fuels into the plans for the new near-dock terminal.

In addition to the hostlers, the new facility is looking at electric cranes and bio-diesel fuel for the track-switching locomotives, which would make it the cleanest facility of its kind in the country.

David cautions that this is only a test at this point. “We’re still in the early stages,” David says. “But if this becomes a good model for us, it could be expanded to other facilities.

“We are all facing the challenges of a need for cleaner air,” he says. “In the future, we are going to have to find some alternative fuel sources. And this is one that shows a lot of promise.”

Facts About Natural Gas Vehicles

There are more than 150,000 natural gas vehicles (liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas) on U.S. roads, five million worldwide.

Vehicles that run on liquefied natural gas can reduce exhaust emissions of:

• nitrogen oxides by 40 percent
• particulate matter by 80 percent
• overall emissions by 90 percent as compared to diesel.

More than 50 different manufacturers produce 150 models of light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles and engines powered by natural gas.

Roughly 22 percent of all new transit bus orders are for natural gas.

Liquefied natural gas is clear, colorless, and odorless. It is neither corrosive nor toxic.

Using natural gas helps to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. In 2005, 97 percent of all forms of natural gas used in the U.S. was produced in North America.

Source: BNSF, State of California, Natural Gas Vehicles for America