Clean Energy, GE among firms pushing new natural gas initiative

Clean Energy Fuels Corp., GE Ventures and GE Energy Financial Services are among four firms that have joined forces to develop the infrastructure to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the U.S. Ferus Natural Gas Fuels is the fourth member of the consortium, which has been named Eagle LNG Partners.

Eagle will develop regional LNG projects to meet the demand for LNG in industries such as long-haul trucking, rail, mining, marine, and oil and gas services. 

“Natural gas is revolutionizing the fueling of long-haul trucking and other high-horsepower applications. With massive amounts of domestic reserves, America is facing a generational opportunity to move to a more secure, less expensive and cleaner-burning fuel. Eagle LNG Partners’ mission is to provide customers with technology and know-how to confidently make the switch,” said John Shepherd, managing director at GE Energy Financial Services.

According to the firms, Eagle LNG Partners will identify strategic locations to develop, own and operate LNG production projects. Additionally, when required in certain markets such as oil and gas and marine, the consortium is capable of providing its customers with complete LNG solutions including transportation and delivery, onsite storage, gasification and dispensing. 

“Major companies in the long-haul trucking business have made significant announcements over the last few months about their intentions to convert their own fleets, or the third-party trucks that move their products to natural gas,” said Andrew J. Littlefair, president and CEO of Clean Energy. “Along with recent announcements by rail and marine companies, it’s easy to understand the need for a significant increase in LNG supply in the United States. We are now joining with our partners to help meet that demand.”

Eagle LNG Partners is currently considering projects in Florida, Washington, Colorado, North Dakota, Ohio and Texas. These projects would build upon existing Clean Energy and Ferus Natural Gas Fuels plants and operations, as well as previously announced Clean Energy-GE LNG projects in the Northeast and Midwest, which are expected to be operational in late 2015, the company said.