SURREY, B.C. — FortisBC has received interim approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to provide fuelling services to Vedder Transport through a liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelling station in Abbotsford, B.C.

FortisBC and Vedder Transport worked together to construct the fuelling station.

“Vedder Transport will now be able to safely and economically refuel their new fleet of 50 LNG-powered trucks on their own premises at rates regulated by the BCUC,” company officials said in a release.

Delivery of Vedder Transport’s first 10 LNG-powered trucks has already begun and all 50 are expected to arrive by early 2012; the trucks use technology developed by Westport Innovations.

“By using LNG from B.C., Vedder Transport’s trucks are not only helping to create a new market for an economical transportation fuel, but they are helping to ensure the province’s economy remains competitive – B.C. businesses are able to reduce their costs, from the shipping container straight to their customers’ doorstep,” said Doug Stout, vice-president, energy solutions and external relations, FortisBC.

“Vedder Transport’s trucks will also be emitting up to 27% less greenhouse gases (GHGs) than their diesel counterparts, so in addition to contributing to the economy, using natural gas will help B.C. reach its climate action goals.”

“At Vedder, we are committed to protecting the environment for future generations. Adding natural gas trucks to our fleet will help us reduce transportation-related emissions, ultimately improving air quality while reducing fuel management expenses,” said Fred Zweep, president of the Vedder Transportation Group.

Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are designed to decrease carbon emissions and reduce noise levels. Officials say Vedder’s fleet will be able to reduce is GHG emissions by about 3,500 tonnes per year using its LNG-powered trucks.

“Natural gas is an increasingly popular energy source for the transportation industry,” said Clark Quintin, president of Westport HD. “It is great to see Vedder Transport and FortisBC leading the way in Western Canada in a partnership that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions in heavy-duty transport. The initiative, to use LNG as a fuel in long-haul trucking, is an important step towards a better environmental profile for the transport industry through a technology and partnership developed in our own backyard.”

FortisBC also recently received BCUC approval to provide fuelling services to Waste Management for their 20 refuse trucks powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). FortisBC owns and maintains a CNG fuelling station on Waste Management’s premises, at rates regulated by the BCUC. This CNG fuelling station would be the first of its kind for heavy-duty trucking in Western Canada.