BPP Upgrades to CNG-Powered Trucks
American Pole & Timber recently replaced their fleet of diesel-powered tractor/trailer trucks with four new trucks powered by cleaner-burning Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). They are currently also in the process of an engine-only CNG conversion of a tilt-bed truck in their fleet.
The new trucks are 2015 Kenworth T800’s powered by Cummins Westport’s new ISX12 G 400 engine, which is a 12 liter engine rated up to 400 horsepower and 1,450 lb-ft of torque. American Pole & Timber is one of the first companies to have the 12 liter CNG-fueled trucks in operation.
American Pole & Timber’ President, Dorian Benn, lead the effort to move to the new fleet and sums up the decision by saying, “Based on our average use last year, making this change will cut our NOx emissions by 4.4 tons per year which is in line with our other efforts to be a more ‘green’ company and CNG is currently about one dollar per gallon cheaper than diesel which is good for our bottom line. Plus, I see this as a move in support of energy independence because natural gas is one of the US’ most abundant natural resources.”
Grants for Converting to CNG Fleets
American Pole & Timber received significant grant money for the new CNG fleet from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) with help from the Clean Cities / Clean Vehicles program, which is administered by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). The purpose of these organizations and the grants they implement is to improve air quality in Texas and the Houston-Galveston area, respectively. The Clean Cities / Clean Vehicles programs helps with grants for corporate, non-profit, and government vehicle fleets.
The Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of Nonattainment Areas which means the air pollution levels in the area “persistently exceed the national air quality standards.” Regions that do not meet the required standards may face sanctions or penalties, including loss of federal highway funds, as required by the Clean Air Act. The TCEQ partners with organizations such as H-GAC to mobilize clean air efforts at the local level.
Mr. Benn recommends businesses in the region who are interested in the grant program should start with the Houston-Galveston Area Council website at www.h-gac.com.
American Pole & Timber is a “Green” Company
For American Pole & Timber, the new CNG trucks are a logical component in their overall strategy of producing and delivering environmentally friendly building materials. They are FSC certified®, which is a highly respected certification requiring systems and processes that demonstrate environmentally friendly choices about the purchasing, production, handling, and delivery of building materials. They are also certified to heat treat wood per ISPM 15 requirements and provide the “HT” stamp on wood, meaning it is free of potentially harmful pests or insects. In production, they deliberately opt for raw materials and manufacturing processes that minimize the amount of waste wood from production. Additionally, they are constantly developing new methods for using all wood