How is natural gas produced?
Most natural gas comes from three types of wells: natural gas-and-condensate wells, oil wells, and coal bed methane wells. In 2003, California had over 1,200 natural gas-and-condensate wells operating. Well-extracted natural gas requires a cleanup process before it can be used in vehicles or residences.

Where does natural gas come from?
More than 99 percent of the natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic or other North American sources. However, increasing demand for natural gas in power plants will require new supplies from non-North American countries, increasing our dependence on foreign sources of energy. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that by 2025, more than 15 percent of our natural gas supplies will be imported from countries other than Canada and Mexico.

How is natural gas delivered to transportation customers in California?
California produces 15.4 percent of its natural gas, and the rest is imported by pipeline from Canada and the Rocky Mountain and Southwestern states. Gas utilities such as PG&E, The Gas Company, Southwest Gas, and SDG&E distribute the fuel to customers. Most CNG stations are owned and operated by private companies and local governments. The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) owns and operates a CNG station at the Lake Tahoe Airport, 1901 Airport Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. The station is open 24 hours per day.  The City has one compressor with a fast fuel system.  This public facility is the fast fill system. Both systems are capable of dispensing up to 3,000 psi and 3,600 psi.

How is natural gas stored?
In smaller fueling locations and on vehicles, CNG is stored in thick-walled steel, aluminum, or composite tanks built to last over 20 years.  TTD has one compressor.

Is natural gas flammable?
When released, compressed natural gas will mix with air and become flammable only when the mixture is within 5 to 15 percent natural gas. When the mixture is less than 5 percent natural gas, it doesn't burn. When the mixture is more than 15 percent natural gas, there is not enough oxygen to allow it to burn. Because natural gas is lighter then air, it quickly dissipates when released from tanks.

What are the benefits of using natural gas in transportation?
Natural gas is produced both worldwide and domestically at relatively low cost and is cleaner burning than gasoline or diesel fuel. Natural gas vehicles show an average reduction in ozone-forming emissions of 80 percent compared to gasoline vehicles.

What vehicles use natural gas?
CNG vehicles have been introduced in a wide variety of commercial applications, from light-duty trucks and sedans -like taxi cabs, to heavy-duty vehicles like transit buses, street sweepers and school buses. In California, transit agency buses are some of the most visible CNG vehicles. TTD has a fleet of twelve CNG transit buses and the City of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Placer County, El Dorado County and U.S. Forest Service also operates CNG powered vehicles. 

Where is CNG fuel available in California?
With the consumption of CNG increasing nationwide 145 percent over the past six years, the fueling infra-structure for natural gas vehicles continues to grow. California has over 200 CNG fueling stations.
To locate commercial CNG stations near you, please visit the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition.

TTD has a 24 hour CNG station located at Lake Tahoe Airport, 1901 Airport Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.  This station will accept all major credit cards and the Voyager Card. Click here for details on the station and the current posted price.

Are there any home refueling options for CNG?
A home refueling appliance named "Phill" has been released in California in 2005 from FuelMaker Corporation. With this device, CNG vehicle owners can now refuel their vehicles overnight in their own home, from their household natural gas line.

How much does CNG cost?
Southwest Gas estimates CNG currently costs about 40 percent less than gasoline. As of January 2009, Southwest Gas charges approximately $1.40 per therm, equivalent to about $1.78 per gasoline gallon, for CNG used as a motor fuel.  Visit Southwest Gas to view their latest tariff.

More Information
For more information on the TTD CNG program, please contact us at (775) 589-5500 or email info@tahoetransportation.org

To set up a customer account – contact Pinnacle CNG Company by clicking here