AGA to push for consumer-friendly NGV standards

The American Gas Association (AGA) and other stakeholders will continue to push for common sense standards that allow customers to easily compare vehicle fuel costs and recognise the benefits of natural gas.

This follows a National Conference of Weights and Measures (NCWM) decision to give further consideration to a proposal to set consumer-friendly standards mandating that fuelling stations sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) in diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) units.

LNG standard needed

While the NCWM currently requires that compressed natural gas (CNG) be sold in gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) units, there is no such standard for LNG. The NCWM recently considered a proposal to make the kilogram the official unit of sale for natural gas sold as a transportation fuel. Such a proposal would confuse customers and potentially impede the expansion of natural gas vehicle adoption.

“There are clear benefits to using more of America’s abundance of clean natural gas in transportation,” explained AGA VP of Policy Strategy Kathryn Clay. “Consumers and businesses can save money and reduce emissions by driving a natural gas vehicle. Measuring LNG in kilograms would lead to unnecessary infrastructure costs, consumer confusion, and, most alarmingly, would stall the momentum of the growing natural gas vehicles industry and the associated economic and environmental benefits.”

Infrastructure growth

Since 2009, there has been a 153% growth in the nation’s LNG refuelling infrastructure. On an energy equivalent basis, LNG is 26% cheaper than diesel and produces 20% fewer emissions.

Regulators and congressional leaders nationwide have joined AGA in calling for consumer-friendly standards. A bipartisan group of 32 US senators and over 50 members of Congress sent letters to US Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker asking her to encourage the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which works closely with NCWM, to support the adoption of DGE standards.

Natural gas benefits

Clay added: “We applaud local utility commissioners and members of the House and Senate for recognising the benefits natural gas can bring to our nation, and for taking action to help customers understand their options at the pump.

“Using energy equivalent units like the DGE and GGE for the sale of natural gas fuels is the best way to make sure there is a level playing field for all transportation fuels. We need to make sure there is a single national standard for natural gas that helps customers easily compare fuel costs and choose a cleaner, cheaper, domestic alternative to petroleum-based fuels.”

Proposal failed

The proposal to sell LNG in DGE units failed to pass a vote by the NCWM at its annual July meeting, however it will be reconsidered at regional meetings throughout the year.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/25072014/aga-pushes-for-lng-standard-unit-1074/