CONSOL Tuesday hosted a "Declaration of Energy Independence" celebration, during which company leaders, along with representatives from Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities and General Motors, unveiled an electric vehicle charging station at the company's headquarters in Canonsburg, PA as part of the "Energy 376 Corridor" project.

The Eaton Level II EV charging station, purchased from Shaedler-Yesco Distribution, is one of 45 units that will be installed in the greater-Pittsburgh area as part of the "Energy 376 Corridor," a project designed to create one of the most extensive charging station networks in the United States.

The project was made possible by a Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC) grant to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program from the Department of Environmental Protection and a private investor. These grants are designated for the development of EV infrastructure in the state.

"The Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities Coalition has presently installed over 35 Level II electric vehicle charging stations including the one at CONSOL Energy's headquarters," said Rick Price, executive director, PRCC. "Clean Cities sees the EV/PHEV/Hybrid market as a viable way to reduce the amount of petroleum based fuels we use and help the nation become energy independent."

The charging station is the first alternative fueling station in Southpointe, a suburban business park located south of Pittsburgh that is home to many natural gas producers and other service companies related to the energy industry.  The station will be available for use at any time by all CONSOL Energy employees.

"The installation of the EV charging station underscores the important role that our region's abundant natural resources -- both the recently found unconventional natural gas potential and our vast supplies of coal -- play in supporting American energy security and independence,"  commented Steve Winberg, vice president of research and development, CONSOL Energy. 

"Alternative fuel vehicles, including both electric and natural gas vehicles, showcase the innovative spirit and commitment that built this country and sustains our high standard of living.  We believe the Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities project will be a first step to encourage these emerging technologies on a much broader scale and anticipate as infrastructure improves, CONSOL Energy will continue to adapt alternative fuel vehicles across all of our operations."

CONSOL Energy has also purchased a Chevrolet Volt. The car includes an electric source and a battery, which allows drivers to drive without gas for an EPA-estimated 38 miles and a gas generator producing electricity so drivers can go up to of 380 miles on a full tank of gas.

"General Motors is pleased to see leaders in the energy industry such as CONSOL Energy support and implement vehicle electrification," commented Jeff Tomlin, Fleet Account Executive, GM Fleet & Commercial.  "Large fleets, such as CONSOL Energy's, tend to be early adopters of newer technology and provide an opportunity to test our vehicles' applicability and durability in their field use and gather valuable feedback.  CONSOL Energy's installation of a Level 2 charging station and the piloting of a Volt as part of their fleet is a demonstration of their strong commitment to their sustainability efforts and a shared vision of the future of transportation."

In 2012, CONSOL Energy converted two Ford F-150 trucks to enable them to operate using compressed natural gas.  Both are capable of being operated on either gasoline or CNG. In addition to the conversion of the two trucks, CONSOL Energy also modified its BR-2 Compressor station on the Buchanon County-Tazewell, Va., line to enable the trucks to be fueled with CNG at that compressor station.

The Chevy Volt and Ford trucks are distinctively marked.  All three vehicles are black, sporting blue flames, which have become synonymous with natural gas. Winberg said the Chevrolet Volt will serve as the flagship electric vehicle in CONSOL's corporate fleet.

NewsClip: CONSOL Showcases Alternative Fueled Vehicles

7/8/2013