LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS APPROVES NEW COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL STATION AT LA/ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Ontario, California (September 24, 2009) --- The Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Board of Airport Commissioners approved the development of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station at LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT).  The new station will provide CNG on site for vehicles operated by ONT, airport tenants, commercial fleets traveling on Interstate 10, consumer vehicles, and transit agency and local school district buses.  
“The station supports City of Los Angeles and LAWA ‘green’ initiatives,” said Jess Romo, ONT’s manager.  “The station also addresses the use of alternative fuels advocated or mandated by local, state and federal agencies.”
LAWA currently owns and operates 48 CNG-powered vehicles in its ONT fleet, which represents approximately 25 percent of the airport’s total fleet.  ONT’s annual CNG consumption is expected to increase as it continues to transition all of its fleet to CNG.  In addition to ONT fleet, third party commercial operators such as shared ride vans and taxicabs are obligated to convert their fleets to CNG as part of contractual arrangements with LAWA.    Lastly, ONT will acquire 17 new CNG passenger courtesy shuttle buses within the next two years. 

“With the exception of fuel purchased by the airport, the project comes at no cost to LAWA and is projected to save ONT more than $1.8 million over the next 10 years in preferential pricing for LAWA and passenger courtesy shuttle bus fleet,” adds Romo.  “We are also anticipating a revenue stream of at least $95,000 in rent and royalties during this period, not including yearly increases to land rent and royalties from third party fuel sales that are expected to grow.”  
A reliable and readily available station at ONT is critical since there are limited CNG fueling station resources within the vicinity of the airport.  There are two stations within five miles of ONT that service ONT’s existing and future fleet.  However, they do not operationally and cost-effectively meet ONT’s needs and anticipated demand.  ONT currently pays full price for CNG off the airport.
The new 6,500-square-foot station, to be located on Airport Drive and Haven Avenue, will be built, operated and maintained by Clean Energy Fuels Corp. under a 10-year contractual agreement with one five-year renewal option.  The station will feature 24-hour video surveillance, card reader and training video, 3,000 and 3,600 pressure fill options, dispenser hose signs, landscaping, and lighted canopy.  
“The new station will provide significant health and environmental benefits to airport travelers and residents of surrounding communities,” said James N. Harger, Clean Energy Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.  “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with the City of Los Angeles and LAWA to support their efforts to curb harmful air pollution and global warming emissions.  This project grows our partnership with LAWA where we have been providing CNG and LNG to LAX’s fleet since 1997.”

Clean Energy is the nation’s largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation.  Across the U.S., Clean Energy is partnering with 21 major metropolitan and international airports to help them implement clean-fuel policies. 
ONT is a medium hub, full-service airport located in the City of Ontario, located about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.  In 2008, ONT handled 6.2 million passengers and 481,284 tons of cargo.  It is one of three airports owned and operated by LAWA, a Los Angeles City department that oversees an airport system in the nation’s second largest metropolitan area.  The other airports owned and operated by LAWA are Los Angeles International and Van Nuys General Aviation.