Natural Gas Fueling Station Project in Florida's Capital Is National Model Public/Private Partnership

TALLAHASSEE, FL--February 7, 2012: Construction kicked off in Florida's capital city today on the first of a network of natural gas fueling stations that will allow schools, governments, businesses and the general public to transition to cleaner, greener, domestically abundant and less expensive natural gas.

“Leon County, Florida is the anchoring element in Nopetro's plan to build a network of natural gas fueling stations to enable big trucks and municipal vehicles to switch to natural gas at a cost savings of at least 25%”

Leon County (Fla.) School (LCS) Superintendent Jackie Pons broke ground on a revolutionary public-private natural gas fueling station to reduce the district's fuel costs, keeping more dollars in the classroom. The station is being built and operated by Florida-based Nopetro with private funds, and the school district will benefit from royalty payments from private sector sales.

Nopetro plans a network of natural gas fueling stations around Florida and throughout the eastern U.S., making natural gas a viable fuel option on the east coast as it is in California, which already has more than 300 natural gas fueling stations. That network will make it possible for a portion of Florida's heavy truck traffic, municipal trucks and school buses to convert to natural gas, which is domestically abundant, 25 percent cheaper and 33 percent cleaner than diesel fuel.

"Floridians have said they want more money spent on students in the classroom, that's why my budget calls for $1 billion in new K-12 spending and why this project is good for Leon County's students," said Gov. Rick Scott. "This is a great example of how government and the private sector can work together to create jobs."

Natural gas has many advantages as a fuel source: It's significantly cheaper than diesel fuel, without sacrificing performance. It reduces carbon pollution by 30 percent and particulate matter by 100 percent. The U.S. has the largest natural gas reserves in the world.

"It is gratifying to see this vision become a reality," said Jackie Pons, Leon County School Superintendent. "This benefits our students and improves our region's air quality by moving to a cleaner, greener fuel."

Jorge Herrera, CEO of Nopetro, shared the vision for the future.

"Leon County, Florida is the anchoring element in Nopetro's plan to build a network of natural gas fueling stations to enable big trucks and municipal vehicles to switch to natural gas at a cost savings of at least 25%," Herrera said.

For more information about nopetro visit: NoPetro.