DUBLIN, OH - More than 150 people attended the  City of Dublin’s new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station grand opening/dedication June 28 at the City’s fleet facility.

Dublin Mayor Tim Lecklider acknowledged the public and private partners that were instrumental in bringing the CNG station to Dublin, including Dublin-based IGS Energy, the station’s gas provider, which contributed $275,000 to the project; Clean Fuels Ohio, which helped secure the $1.5 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE); and the City of Columbus shared services agreement allowing both cities reciprocity to fuel vehicles and share fleet maintenance and training.

The DOE grant also paid for the conversion of 44 vehicles to run on natural gas. These include one Ford Transit, two Ford Fusions, one Ford F-350, 23 F-250s, and 17 F-150s. The conversion kits are all EPA certified and the vehicles will be dedicated CNG vehicles (meaning they will only run on CNG).  Over the next several years, as more vehicles are replaced, the City plans to add additional CNG vehicles to the fleet.

J. Darryl Syler, fleet manager for the City of Dublin, said the City anticipated saving at least $30,000 per year in fuel costs by using the 44 CNG vehicles. The City anticipates CNG fuel to cost $1.99 per gasoline gallon equivalent.

Mayor Lecklider stated in a release: “This CNG station will reduce carbon emissions by as much as 90 percent. It is estimated the initial infusion of 44 CNG vehicles will be equivalent to taking more than 180 cars off the road."

CNG vehicles from the City of Dublin and nearby City of Columbus were on display, as well as vehicles from other fleets. The City of Dublin CNG fast-fill fueling facility will be open to the public, other municipalities, and corporate fleets.

To view a slideshow of the ceremony, click here.