LOS ANGELES, July 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern
California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) will team with the California
Trucking Association (CTA), the country's largest state trucking
association, to help expand the awareness of the economic and
environmental benefits of natural gas and alternative fuels for
heavy-duty trucking and goods movement.
"We recognize the critical importance of the trucking industry
to California and value the hard
work of truck owner-operators, fleet owner-operators, and national
and international carriers in keeping goods movement flowing and
our state's economy healthy," said Rodger
Schwecke, vice president of customer solutions for SoCalGas.
"SoCalGas is pleased to join with the California Trucking
Association to help its members learn more about the many ways
natural gas fueling and clean natural gas engine technologies can
help them save money, clean up our air, and mitigate the
environmental impact of goods movement."
"The California Trucking Association is excited to welcome
Southern California Gas Company as our newest Executive Circle Club
Partner and recognizes the importance of natural gas to the
continued success of the trucking industry. Trucks carry most of
the tonnage and value of freight in the
United States and CTA welcomes SoCalGas' support of our
mission as the voice of trucking in California," said Shawn Yadon, CEO of CTA.
A recent report by the Consumer Federation of America shows fuel
costs are the single largest component of transportation costs,
representing over one-third of the total cost. As transportation
costs pass through to consumers, fuel is the largest component of
the pass-through. Reducing transportation fuel cost benefits
consumers and the resulting net savings for consumers gives them
more discretionary income, which stimulates economic activity in
other sectors to produce a significant positive economic
multiplier.
Natural gas is one of the most affordable and cleanest burning
alternative fuels available today. The Department of Energy's
April 2015 alternative fuel price
report shows the national average price for natural gas was
$2.09/gasoline-gallon-equivalent
compared to $3.06/gallon for diesel.
The same report notes natural gas prices have been consistently
stable for a long period of time, while gasoline and diesel prices
have been volatile.
In addition to delivering cost savings, natural gas fueling has
helped the trucking industry's effort to achieve state and federal
environmental goals and meet clean air regulations. Heavy-duty
natural gas vehicles (NGVs) can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and
reactive hydrocarbons which form the principal ingredient of smog,
by as much as 95 percent. Heavy-duty NGVs can also reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and carbon monoxide by 85
percent. Additionally, heavy-duty NGVs emit no diesel
particulate matter, which has been identified by air quality
agencies as a carcinogenic air toxic. Current data shows more than
200,000 heavy-duty trucks operate currently in California.
Taking advantage of the cost savings and environmental benefits
of compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling, major truck fleet
operators such as UPS, Swift Transportation, Coca Cola,
99 Cents Only Stores, Frito-Lay and
others in logistics, goods movement, food and other global
industries have already started to transition fleets to CNG
fueling.
Free Natural Gas Trucking Workshops
SoCalGas is
hosting a series of free natural gas trucking workshops through
November at locations in Los
Angeles and San Diego.
Fleet operators who have already transitioned to natural
gas-powered trucks will be at the workshops to share their
first-hand experiences.
For workshop questions, please call (818) 414-9329. To register
online, please visit the natural gas trucking workshop information
web page or visit socalgas.com and search for "heavy-duty trucking
workshop." The following is the complete workshop schedule.
July 14, 2015 6:00 p.m.
Los
Angeles — Port Area
Banning's Landing Community Center, Wilmington
100 E Water St. Wilmington, CA
September 15, 2015 6:00 p.m.
San
Diego
Bully's East Restaurant
2401 Camino Del Rio South San Diego,
CA
October 14, 2015 6:00 p.m.
Los
Angeles — Downey
SoCalGas Energy Resource Center
9240 Firestone Blvd. Downey,
CA
November 3, 2015 6:00 p.m.
Los
Angeles — Burbank
Marriott Burbank Airport
2500 N Hollywood Way, Burbank,
CA
About SoCalGas: Southern California Gas Co. has been
delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers
for more than 140 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas
distribution utility, providing service to 21.4 million consumers
connected through 5.9 million meters in more than 500 communities.
The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000
square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern
California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy
(NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in
San Diego.
About the California Trucking Association: The California
Trucking Association has been serving the commercial motor carrier
industry in California, and the
companies that provide products and services to the trucking
industry, for 81 years. A critical and vital component of
California's economy, 78% of
California communities depend
solely on trucks to deliver their goods. Our carrier membership
ranges from individual owner-operators, too small for-hire fleets,
to the largest national and international carriers. Allied members
of the California Trucking Association range from businesses
involved with truck and trailer sales, parts and service,
insurance, legal services and all other businesses that support the
trucking industry.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.