Nov 18 2013
Gaz Métro salutes EBI's initiative to establish a network of public service stations that will supply natural gas as fuel. The Gaz Métro network is contributing to the project by distributing, at the company's fuelling stations, the renewable natural gas produced by EBI in Berthierville. Gaz Métro is pleased to use its gas network to link producers and consumers in order to facilitate access to locally produced renewable natural gas.
With the rollout of natural gas fuelling stations, Quebec is acting as a trailblazer in the field in Canada, and following the strong trend in North America towards adopting natural gas as fuel. This solution is available now and can significantly reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
"We salute this initiative, which contributes directly to developing the market for natural gas as fuel—a necessary and immediate solution for lowering our dependence on oil products while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector in Quebec," stated Martin Imbleau, Vice President, Development and Renewable Energies, at the press conference held earlier today at an EBI service station in Montreal East. He added: "Gaz Métro is all the more proud to take part in this project, since we want to develop locally produced renewable natural gas even more—this is a promising avenue that must be developed further in Quebec."
In parallel with the EBI initiative, Gaz Métro has set up the Blue Road, a network of public and private natural gas fuelling stations mainly targeting heavy vehicles in the freight transportation sector. "There are now over 200 natural gas vehicles on Quebec's roads, and this is just the beginning! Today's announcement by EBI strengthens the offer of natural gas as a vehicle fuel, which is excellent news," said Mr. Imbleau.
The transportation sector is responsible for 42.5% of all GHG emissions in Quebec, which makes it the main GHG emitter in the province. Trucking alone accounts for 78.4% of transportation sector emissions, or 33.3% of total GHG emissions. The use of natural gas as fuel is a promising way to reduce the sector's environmental footprint, while reducing fuel bills. A truck that runs on natural gas emits up to 25% fewer GHGs than diesel, and costs up to 40% less in fuel.
About Gaz Métro
With more than $5 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec, where its 10,000-km underground network of pipelines serves 300 municipalities and more than 185,000 customers. Gaz Métro is also present in Vermont, producing electricity and distributing electricity and natural gas to cater to the needs to some 300,000 customers.
Gaz Métro is actively involved in the development of innovative, sustainability-oriented energy projects such as the production of wind power, the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and the development of biomethane as a renewable energy source. Gaz Métro is committed to ensuring the satisfaction of its customers; providing support to businesses, local organizations, families and communities; and meeting the needs of its partners (Gaz Métro Inc. and Valener) and employees. https://www.energir.com/en/