City Officials Pumped Up Over Natural Gas

By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

May 23 -- With prices at traditional gas pumps skyrocketing, alternative fuel users on the Westside may be driving to Santa Monica for a cheaper fill up.

Tuesday promises a rare meeting of energy, non-profit, auto-maker and Santa Monica officials, who will cut the ribbon on the first public compressed natural gas (CNG) station on the Westside.

The station -- located at 1701 Stewart Street near Olympic in Santa Monica -- promises fleet vehicles and consumers alike cost savings.

“Our slogan is save time and save money,” said Chad Lindholm, a service account manager with Clean Energy, the alternative fuel firm which undertook a nearly $1 million upgrade of the site.

Ringing in at almost a dollar less per gallon than traditional gas, compressed natural gas promises serious savings in operational costs for fleet vehicles such as bus, taxi and shuttle services, which are the majority of users.

However, with more drivers turning to alternative fuel vehicles, such as the Honda GX, which runs on compressed natural gas, Clean Energy officials hope more average consumers will visit the site.

“Anyone who wants to can fill up,” said Lindholm, who will be joined by Santa Monica council member Kevin McKeown, as well as Coalition for Clean Air and Honda officials for the ribbon cutting.

While natural gas prices are on the rise, they have historically run 50 cents to a dollar less than traditional fuel.

Clean Energy currently supplies gas for the Big Blue Bus vehicles in Santa Monica. The company, Lindholm said, is looking to expand that relationship, starting with the opening of the new CNG station.