Aaron Johnson First CNG- Powered Ambulance

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Aaron Johnson | Comments Off


One of the sites I follow regularly, NGV Global, recently did a post on the USA’s First CNG- Powered Ambulance. It’s really great to hear how the city of Palm Desert, CA worked to convert one of their existing ambulances to a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Engine. They modified a 2009 Ford E450 6.8L gasoline chassis, to a dedicated CNG Engine and three cylinders carrying approx 30 gge (Gasoline Gallon Equivalents), or 26 gallons equivalent of CNG. The price tag for this particular project came in at $186,000.

The Palm Desert city council suggested the possibility using an ambulance powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and they put their money where their mouth is. Read more info about the partners involved in the project.  It appears their city council is aware of the abundant amount of natural gas available domestically.

Now there is at least one ambulance on the street that is environmentally friendly in its travels to serve their community.

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Jim Linn Essential Utility Customer Service

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Jim Linn | Comments Off


Where do gas and electric utility customer service leaders go for professional development?  To the AGA/EEI Customer Service Conference and Exposition, of course!

Each year customer service committee members gather to plan a conference of essential content for their peers.  In 2010, the AGA/EEI Customer Service Conference and Exposition will be held April 11-14 in Milwaukee, home to We Energies, Integrys, Alliant Energy, Xcel and others.  As with every conference, we have quite a line-up of programs and activities.

General sessions will be held in the mornings and geared toward broad utility customer service issues.  This year we will have a review of the federal stimulus (ARRA) package from the federal (DOE), state (NASEO) and local perspectives.  We will also discuss alternative transportation and smart grid (both gas and electric) and spend an entire morning on social media success in utilities and similar industries.  The general sessions will wrap up with a morning on sensational customer service featuring Barbara Burke, author of The Napkin, The Melon and The Monkey on the topic of employee engagement.  Check out the complete agenda and run down on the more than 20 breakout sessions where attendees can dig deep into functional area discussions.

Customer Service Executives (defined as vice president or equivalent) will enjoy an afternoon designed specifically for the executive level.  These sessions are invitation only.  Contact me directly for more information.

The conference prides itself on being held in a relevant exhibition hall where attendees can interact with companies providing the very latest customer service products and services.  The exhibit hall is a great venue for networking and discussing sessions as they occur as well as shared experiences.  The conference will culminate in a Tuesday evening social event at the Milwaukee Ale House.

If you are an AGA or EEI member and have never attended the Customer Service Conference, make this year your first.  If you have joined us in the past don’t miss this year – the content is too rich to pass up.  For those who join us every year, we cannot wait to see you in Milwaukee in April!

And, if you are a utility customer service partner, take a close look at the exhibitor and sponsor prospectus and join us for this event.

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Dan Gibson Welcome to the new Washington Area Fuel Fund web site

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Dan Gibson | Comments Off


We just got an email from Lynn Battle over at Washington Gas announcing the launch of the new Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) web site. The WAFF pays for all types of fuel to heat the homes of people in financial need. During the past five years, the fund has given an average of approximately $870,000 annually to area residents.

The main focus of the site is making it easier for people to give online donations. You can now give as little as $5 through the web site. The site also gives other ways for you to make your donations. These donations are going to become increasingly important as it’s been an especially cold winter already.

These types of programs are critical for people. Especially since the FY2011 budget request to Congress asked for $3.3 billion ($2.51 billion in regular funding and $790,000 in contingency funding)  for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), down from the $5.1 billion that was provided in the current FY2010 appropriation.

100201.waff Welcome to the new Washington Area Fuel Fund web site

Some more history on the fund. The WAFF was established in 1983 by Washington Gas and The Salvation Army. Since then, the WAFF has disbursed more than $19.5 million to more than 232,0000 people helping keep the homes of area residents warm during the winter. That’s a lot of help. If you have a chance drop by the new site and make a donation if you can.

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Chris McGill Natural Gas Market Indicators

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Chris McGill and Mike Pomorski | Comments Off


100131.ngmi .sm Natural Gas Market Indicators

Natural gas consumption in the United States (including exports to Mexico) exceeded 100 Bcf per day for the ten-day period January 3, 2010 through January 12, according to Bentek Energy, LLC. It is not uncommon for daily peaks to reach 100 Bcf or more, however, it is unusual that it they would last for ten consecutive days and that they would occur relatively early in the heating season.

The positive working gas balance compared to recent years has disappeared but inventories remain near normal even with the early heating season cold. And still natural gas market acquisition prices (cash and futures) remain in the $5.00 to $6.00 range for the balance of the winter – a continued testament to supply optimism for the coming year.

What are the questions ahead: Will large volume industrial use of natural gas rebound in 2010?  Will gas continue to take historical market share from coal in electricity generation? What volume of gas will be required to refill underground storage during the coming net injection season? With a gradually rising national rig count and supportive pricing cause domestic production to remain firm or even grow as it has for the past three years?

Visit this link to download the full Natural Gas Market Indicator. Topics covered include: Reported Prices, Weather, Working Gas in Underground Storage, Natural Gas Production, Rig Counts, Pipeline Imports and Exports, and LNG Markets.

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