Canada: Gaz Metro Welcomes New Government Measures for Use of Natural Gas in Transportation

Gaz Métro welcomed the measures announced last week by the government of Quebec concerning the use of natural gas for the freight transportation industry and heavy vehicles.

The transportation sector is responsible for 42.5% of all greenhouse gases emissions (GHGs) in Quebec, making it a priority area for intervention. Trucks, freight trains and ships account for almost a third of total GHG emissions in the transportation sector. Although they are the mainstay of economic activity, it is essential to reduce their environmental footprint. For technical and economic reasons, natural gas, and not electricity, is the solution for these market segments.

Already, a number of companies in Quebec, notably Robert Transport and EBI, have adopted natural gas. A truck that runs on natural gas emits up to 25% fewer GHGs and is up to 40% cheaper than diesel.

As such, the government’s announcement that it will subsidize 30% of the additional cost, up to a maximum of $75,000, for the purchase of vehicles running on natural gas as a source of fuel–in compressed or liquefied form–is excellent news, Gaz Métro said.

“The measures announced today are important, because they will help speed up the use of natural gas as fuel, resulting in an immediate reduction of up to 25% in GHG emissions,” said Sophie Brochu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gaz Métro.

Natural gas is also good for use in ships and locomotives. In this regard, Gaz Métro would like to underscore the proposed measures in the government document to reduce GHGs in the marine and railway sectors by encouraging the use of alternative, cleaner fuel such as natural gas, the company said in a statement.

As well, Gaz Métro wishes to highlight the creation of a road freight transportation working group and is enthusiastic about the prospect of actively taking part in it, the company added.

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LNG World News Staff, November 07, 2013