November 22, 2010

National Grid and NYSERDA Open Major New Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station to Serve the Public

$2.5 million in Federal Stimulus Funding Supports Purchase of Clean-Fuel Vehicles and Construction of Natural Gas Fueling Stations in Albany and Syracuse

ALBANY, NY (November 22, 2010) — Joined by Congressman Paul Tonko, officials from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and National Grid today opened a new Compressed Natural Gas fueling station that will serve the general public and National Grid’s fleet.

Supported by more than $2.5 million in the U.S. Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Clean Cities funding, National Grid is expanding its clean vehicle capacity with the purchase of 33 compressed natural gas vehicles (CNG) and the opening of two new CNG fueling stations in Albany and Syracuse. These investments will help reduce tailpipe emissions from National Grid’s corporate vehicle fleet and offer motorists in the public access to fueling stations.

National Grid’s natural gas fueling station is one of twelve projects in the Capital Region receiving federal ARRA support. These funds will help local governments, school districts, and college and universities purchase electric, hybrid-electric, and clean-fuel vehicles that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality.

Congressman Paul Tonko said, “Congratulations to NYSERDA and National Grid for collaborating on a project which will help broaden our energy portfolio, provide economic benefits, and improve our environment. Because of The Recovery Act, we are moving forward with infrastructure improvements that are laying the groundwork for a clean energy future that will reduce our reliance on imported fuels.”

Francis J. Murray, president and CEO of NYSERDA said, “Across New York State, federal stimulus funds are helping to build a transportation system that emits fewer harmful emissions and is less dependent on imported petroleum. I commend the leaders of National Grid for their commitment to advancing clean fuels and vehicles, and thank Congressman Tonko and our congressional delegation for their work to secure these stimulus funds that will help improve both our economy and our environment.”

Susan Crossett, National Grid Vice President, Economic Development and Community Investment, said, “Safeguarding our global environment for future generations is a key component of National Grid’s vision and expanding our use of compressed natural gas vehicles and making them more accessible to the public is one way we turn that vision into reality. This collaboration among NYSERDA, Clean Cities funding, and National Grid is a model of a public-private partnership working for New York State and the environment.”

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin said, “I salute Congressman Tonko for his efforts to bring federal stimulus money to our region to improve our environment and economy. I commend NYSERDA’s continuing efforts to foster public private partnerships and I applaud National Grid’s leadership in energy efficiency and clean fuels.”

City of Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings said, “I am pleased to see NYSERDA and National Grid working together to open up CNG fueling stations for public use. As part of my new Office of Energy and Sustainability, we have recently initiated a Green Fleet Program and are currently deploying new hybrid-electric vehicles for certain city operations in an effort to improve fuel-efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I look forward to working with our partners to secure the funds necessary to incorporate CNG vehicles into our existing fleet, and I anticipate positive results for the entire community from this latest green initiative.”

This is the eighth CNG fueling station in the Capital Region. Others open to the public include one in Albany on McCarty Avenue and one in Rotterdam on Chrisler Avenue. Natural gas is the cleanest burning alternative transportation fuel commercially available today.

In cities and other areas of heavy traffic, localized air pollution can increase health risks to cancer, heart disease, asthma, and emphysema. To address these issues, NYSERDA’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program uses federal and state funding to implement alternative fuel vehicle projects that work to curb harmful emissions and help reduce New York’s dependence on imported petroleum.

Since 1996, NYSERDA has awarded more than $67 million in federal and state resources to support the purchase of alternative-fuel vehicles and the installation of alternative-fuel infrastructure for public and private transportation fleets.

There are 12 alternative fuel vehicle projects in the Capital Region that have been awarded $2.1 million in funding through NYSERDA’s ARRA Clean Cities program. These include:

• City of Albany : $102,241 to purchase 12 hybrid-electric vehicles
• East Greenbush Central School District : $103,778 to purchase a plug-in hybrid-electric school bus
• Gilboa-Conesville Central School District : $10,084 to purchase a liquid propane school bus
• University at Albany : $390,425 to purchase three electric and five hybrid-electric buses
• Charlotte Valley Central School District: $20,978 to purchase 2 propane school buses
• Hoosic Valley Central School District: $39,929 to purchase 3 propane school buses and one propane fueling station
• NYSDEC: $106,686 to purchase two hybrid-electric buses
• NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: $221,338 to initiate a biofuels firefighting training course
• Hudson Valley Community College: $112,000 to purchase demonstration equipment for a new alternative fuel vehicle training program
• Coca-Cola Enterprises: $82,000 to purchase 2 hybrid-electric delivery trucks
• Verizon: $177,600 to purchase 12 CNG vans

The twenty-first congressional district, which encompasses Albany, Montgomery, Schenectady, Schoharie and areas of Fulton, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties, has been awarded $9.1 million in Recovery Act funds for energy conservation, renewable energy, and alternative fuel vehicle projects. Combined, these projects will reduce the energy cost burden by more than $559,000 per year.

Note: Photos are available, contact NYSERDA: anw@nyserda.ny.gov

About National Grid

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

About NYSERDA

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975. For more information, visit NYSERDA.ny.gov.

Contacts:

Jeffrey Gordon, NYSERDA, 518-862-1090, ext. 3544
Patrick Stella, National Grid, 518-433-3838