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South Pittsburg studies switch from gas to natural gas for vehicles

By: Ben Benton
(Contact)

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Jonathan Overly
Mike Killian

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — Officials here are studying the idea of switching some city vehicles from gasoline power to cheaper compressed natural gas, Mayor Mike Killian said.

“We’d like to save money on the miles that we’re having to pay for, but the fact that we’re in the natural gas business is a double incentive to get this going,” Mr. Killian said. The city’s own utility can provide the fuel, he said.

The switch could include some utility vehicles and police cars, he said. He said he hopes to entice other nearby governments to study the idea, too, so costs and benefits can be shared.

Mr. Killian believes cheaper alternative fuels are the future for fleets.

“The day may come that it will be common to pull up to a dispenser and it’ll be natural gas, not petroleum,” he said.

There are four CNG fleets in East Tennessee, mostly in Sevier County, according to the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, The ETCFC is a University of Tennessee-based group that supports a cleaner environment and reducing dependence on foreign oil.

Executive Director Jonathan Overly said South Pittsburg could save more than 50 percent on its fuel costs in the switch. CNG vehicles have a little less power but it’s not noticeable in most applications, he said.

Mr. Overly said the town might offset start-up costs by buying used equipment and finding a partner in the switch. A city employee certified to work on CNG vehicles could reduce continuing maintenance costs, he said.

The Sevier County Utility District, near Knoxville, has four CNG vehicles and provides infrastructure for others used by Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg.

SCUD Director of Operations Jeff McCarter said the utility switched part of its fleet in 2002 with a initial investment of $18,000 for a gas compressor and fast-fill delivery system.

Mr. McCarter said SCUD has a CNG van and three pickups that work near the fuel supply.

“It’s cheaper, and it’s a whole lot more clean and efficient,” he said.

Mr. McCarter said he wasn’t sure how much cheaper natural gas would be in the long run, but the savings are greater as gasoline prices climb.

South Pittsburg Utility Manager Don Blansett said CNG fuel pumps cost at least $35,000, depending on how the gas is used.

New CNG-fueled vehicles would have to be added as old vehicles are replaced, he said.

“We looked at a Crown Vic (Victoria) police car about 10 years ago,” he said. But Ford stopped producing that model and the price difference between gasoline and natural gas wasn’t enough to keep entertaining the idea, he said.

Now, the difference is significant and idea’s worth serious study, he said.

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