FST Logistics, Columbus, Ohio, and U.S. Oil, an Appleton, Wis.-based division of U.S. Venture, Inc., partnered in the development of a GAIN Clean Fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) re-fueling station in Hilliard, Ohio, to service its recently purchased fleet of CNG trucks. The public-access, fast-fill station located on interstates I70 and I270 will feature two dual-hose CNG dispensers.

“Our research showed this was the ideal location for us. We can tap into the major natural gas supplier in Columbus and the bulk of our trucks run through or very near this location on a daily basis,” says Dave Kent, president of FST Logistics. “As we look toward future expansion, we feel very comfortable going 100% CNG.”  

The lower CO2 emissions and the fuel-cost savings over diesel makes the decision to convert vehicles to CNG fuel an easier one. 

“The average Class 8 truck that is converted from diesel to CNG will reduce more than 60 metric tons of CO2 emitted into our atmosphere every year. The new Hilliard station will be our 17th and is projected to replace the equivalent of 300,000 gallons of diesel fuel in its first year and more than 1.5 million gallons in the next five years,” says Bill Renz, general manager for GAIN Clean Fuels. “Our plan is to have more than 100 of the stations operating within the next three years.”

Management of the site construction was headed up by of CESO Inc., Canton, Ohio.

“It’s because of these economic, environmental and energy security benefits that we support natural gas as a transportation fuel and are excited to welcome this new CNG station to central Ohio,” says Sam Spofforth, executive director of Clean Fuels Ohio. “With more new public natural gas stations like this opening across the state and pending incentives in the legislature like House Bill 336, Ohio is poised to become a national leader in deploying natural gas vehicles and fueling stations.”