Canada: AMTA Meets Transportation Minister Ric McIver

Liquefied natural gas and super single tires dominated the discussion at AMTA’s (Alberta Motor Transport Association) most recent meeting with Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver. The meeting took place at the Edmonton Legislature and was attended by AMTA Executive Director Don Wilson, Westcan CEO Tom Kenny and Minister McIver.

“With the surplus availability of liquid natural gas it makes sense to explore the use of this type of fuel for Class 8 truck applications,” says AMTA’s Don Wilson. “Infrastructure concerns around the location of liquefied natural gas filling stations would also need to be addressed, as would the cost of converting equipment — but given current natural gas prices it makes sense in the long term for return on investment.”

The AMTA delegation also pointed out that trucks equipped to use natural gas would be impacted by the extra weight of the fuel tanks which would result in a reduction of payload.

AMTA’s interest in exploring the use of natural gas for the trucking industry echoes a recently released government report which recommends wider application of natural gas in the economy, including for Class 8 trucks. The Canadian Trucking Alliance, of which AMTA is a founding member, recently came out supporting the report’s recommendations.

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LNG World News Staff, August 08, 2012