Schwarzenegger attends fuel station opening
Posted Nov. 3, 2010
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was on hand Oct. 28 for the grand opening of a new alternative fuel filling station in San Jose, Calif. The station, which was developed by Propel Fuels, offers both B5 and E85 to retail customers.
The new station is part of Propel's rollout of 75 retail alternative fuel stations within the state. The project is funded, in part, by a $10.9 million grant from the U.S. DOE and California Energy Commission. Government funding for the project has been matched by $16 million in private investment. As part of the initiative, Propel is working with community partners to educate consumers and fleets on the benefits of renewable fuels.
"We cannot address our environmental concerns without also addressing the cars we drive and the fuels that power them," Schwarzenegger said. "That's why I have challenged businesses and entrepreneurs to innovate and to develop alternative fuels and cleaner modes of transportation, which is exactly what Propel is doing here today with the opening of their newest renewable fuel station. Building stations like this up and down the state creates jobs while helping clean our air and giving motorists better access to alternative fuels. This is great for the environment, the economy and California."
During his speech, Schwarzenegger also noted his personal excitement regarding the new availability of biodiesel in the region. "I have one of my Hummers that is a biodiesel Hummer," he said. "It was a regular diesel and I converted it over to biodiesel so I can put vegetable oil or just drive up to any gas station and to get it. But if you want to find a fueling station it's very hard to find a fueling station, a regular gas station that can provide the fuel." With Propel's development of the new filling location, Schwarzenegger noted that 13 locations currently make biodiesel available to retail customers, with a total of 75 planned to be brought online over the next two years.
Schwarzenegger also spoke about the job creation benefits of Propel's project. "As we expand those fueling stations there will be 450 jobs created," he said. "And this is again proof-because there are some people that say when you are environmentally friendly you lose jobs-no, you can gain jobs. Here is a perfect example of that."
In addition to job creation, Propel CEO Matt Horton said the project will also create significant energy security and environmental benefits. The 75 stations developed by Propel will help reduce up to 39 million gallons of petroleum use within the state each year. It is estimated the project will also reduce statewide carbon dioxide emissions by up to 187,000 tons annually.
"Thanks to the Governor's leadership, California is at the forefront of both advanced fuel production technology and the infrastructure to provide access to those fuels," Horton said. "There are currently more than one million alternative fuel-ready vehicles on the road in California-vehicles that can immediately speed our transition to renewable fuel sources."
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was on hand Oct. 28 for the grand opening of a new alternative fuel filling station in San Jose, Calif. The station, which was developed by Propel Fuels, offers both B5 and E85 to retail customers.
The new station is part of Propel's rollout of 75 retail alternative fuel stations within the state. The project is funded, in part, by a $10.9 million grant from the U.S. DOE and California Energy Commission. Government funding for the project has been matched by $16 million in private investment. As part of the initiative, Propel is working with community partners to educate consumers and fleets on the benefits of renewable fuels.
"We cannot address our environmental concerns without also addressing the cars we drive and the fuels that power them," Schwarzenegger said. "That's why I have challenged businesses and entrepreneurs to innovate and to develop alternative fuels and cleaner modes of transportation, which is exactly what Propel is doing here today with the opening of their newest renewable fuel station. Building stations like this up and down the state creates jobs while helping clean our air and giving motorists better access to alternative fuels. This is great for the environment, the economy and California."
During his speech, Schwarzenegger also noted his personal excitement regarding the new availability of biodiesel in the region. "I have one of my Hummers that is a biodiesel Hummer," he said. "It was a regular diesel and I converted it over to biodiesel so I can put vegetable oil or just drive up to any gas station and to get it. But if you want to find a fueling station it's very hard to find a fueling station, a regular gas station that can provide the fuel." With Propel's development of the new filling location, Schwarzenegger noted that 13 locations currently make biodiesel available to retail customers, with a total of 75 planned to be brought online over the next two years.
Schwarzenegger also spoke about the job creation benefits of Propel's project. "As we expand those fueling stations there will be 450 jobs created," he said. "And this is again proof-because there are some people that say when you are environmentally friendly you lose jobs-no, you can gain jobs. Here is a perfect example of that."
In addition to job creation, Propel CEO Matt Horton said the project will also create significant energy security and environmental benefits. The 75 stations developed by Propel will help reduce up to 39 million gallons of petroleum use within the state each year. It is estimated the project will also reduce statewide carbon dioxide emissions by up to 187,000 tons annually.
"Thanks to the Governor's leadership, California is at the forefront of both advanced fuel production technology and the infrastructure to provide access to those fuels," Horton said. "There are currently more than one million alternative fuel-ready vehicles on the road in California-vehicles that can immediately speed our transition to renewable fuel sources."
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