This week, the much-awaited 2014 Corvette Stingray was unveiled, marking 60 years of the fabled American sports car, as CBS News reports. An exciting milestone for sure. But this wasn’t the only exciting transportation-related announcement made this week.

Yesterday, IGS Energy and top West Virginia officials, including Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, as well as Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) member company representatives, announced a $10 million compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling network plan designed to save consumers money and enhance our environment.

Here’s what they’re saying about the this project, which will be strategically located along West Virginia’s Interstate-79 corridor.

  • CNG More Affordable for Consumers:  “This is by no means a ‘one and done. … We very much anticipate putting stations across the state. … We see it not only as the fuel of tomorrow…but we see it, quite candidly, as the fuel of today,” [West Virginia business manager T.J. Meadows said]. … Surging production has the gas industry seeking out new markets for its products, and companies are starting to focus more on the transportation sector. They tout natural gas as a cheaper, cleaner alternative to gasoline and diesel. … Meadows believes the economics and consumer benefits are now different enough to support widespread conversion. In the 1990s, he said, gas companies and consumers were unaware of the vast reserves of the Marcellus, Utica and Eagle Ford shale reserves. Those offer a long-term supply stream. (Associated Press, 1/18/13)
  • MSC Member Companies Work to Expand CNG Availability: IGS Energy says several companies, including natural gas industry players such as Chesapeake Energy Corp., Antero Resources and EQT Corp., have committed to fueling their own natural gas vehicles at stations along the corridor. The West Virginia Department of Highways has also said that its NGVs will get their CNG at these new sites. “The addition of these stations extends the availability of CNG along the Route 79 corridor from Pennsylvania into West Virginia, which supports EQT’s transition of more than 200 of our Marcellus fleet vehicles to natural gas in 2013 and beyond,” said EQT’s David Ross. (NGT News, 1/17/13)
  • West Virginia Has “a Great Opportunity to be at the Forefront” of Innovation: “Natural gas really gives West Virginia a great opportunity to be at the forefront of what’s going to be the new fuel for all of our motor vehicles…It’s an abundant source of fuel right here in West Virginia. Our people drill it, our people produce it, our people sell it,” said [Harrison County Commissioner Mike] Romano. … “It is a domestic resource we have right here in West Virginia right under our feet,” TJ Meadows, CNG Business Manager for West Virginia. (WDTV, 1/17/13)
  • Locally Sourced CNG Provides Jobs & Cleaner, Cheaper Energy: ­Meadows said using compressed natural gas as a vehicle fuel creates 30 percent less carbon dioxide than gasoline or diesel fuel, makes 75 percent less carbon monoxide and produces 95 percent less particulate matter. At the same time, natural gas is 30 percent to 50 percent cheaper than gasoline and diesel, with an average cost of about $2.10 for the equivalent of a gallon. “With our abundance of natural gas resources, we have the opportunity to put thousands of people to work,” Tomblin said. He also said tapping the state’s gas reserves will provide “affordable” and “reliable” energy sources for the next 100 years.  “[Natural gas] is almost half as cheap, but more importantly, it’s ours,” said Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper. “It’s our jobs, and it’s our gas.” (Charleston Gazette, 1/17/13) ­
  • CNG Gives West Virginia an “Unprecedented Opportunity”: The investment comes as a result of an initiative to encourage businesses, as well as local and state agencies, to convert fleets of vehicles to natural gas….”West Virginia has been blessed with an abundance of natural gas, and I’m extremely appreciative of the many dedicated folks who are working hard to find the best way for our state to use it as a cost-saving means of transportation,” Tomblin said. … The conversion of vehicles will mean that more natural gas is used, which will mean production will increase, creating more jobs in the natural gas field around the state, Carper said. (Charleston Daily Mail, 1/17/13)
  • An “Excelled Opportunity” for West Virginia: IGS Energy CNG Services chose to concentrate its efforts on West Virginia because of the state’s movement toward policies encouraging the development of the CNG industry, the company said. “We recognize the commitment that the state of West Virginia, through the leadership of Gov. (Earl Ray) Tomblin, has made to encourage the use of this local, clean resource,” White said. “The company believes the state of West Virginia will serve as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that CNG will not only save taxpayers money, but also encourage further development of natural gas fueling options. IGS Energy CNG Services stands ready to support the state, its residents and its businesses as they convert to CNG.” (State Journal, 1/17/13)

In his inauguration remarks, Gov. Tomblin said “shale development and the potential economic growth and jobs that will come with the revitalization of the manufacturing sector are astounding.” He’s absolutely right.

And CNG is one of The Countless Ways Natural Gas Improves Our Lives, along with cleaner air and more local economic growth. The positive impacts tied to safe, job-creating natural gas development are Powering an American Renaissance.

Interested in locating one of the growing number of CNG fueling stations around the country? Click here.