By Vanessa Ybarra

Fortis BC installs eco-friendly pumps in Kamloops

Oct 25, 2017 | 5:38 PM

KAMLOOPS — Fortis BC workers are going green with the company unveiling its first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuelling station in the city.

Fortis BC representatives held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning to unveil the new pumps installed at its yard in Lower Sahali.

The pumps will service 20 Fortis BC vehicles as well as be available for other company fleet vehicles to use.

The $1.5 million project is part of Fortis’s initiative to reduce its environmental impact.

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

Apr 19, 2024

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Short-term rental rules coming into effect in British Columbia

12h ago

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Board may as well not have asked public about school's name

16h ago

The eco-friendly pumps are already installed in Vancouver and Kelowna.

“Natural gas as a transportation fuel offers a greenhouse gas reduction of anywhere between 15 and 25 per cent,” said Sarah Smith, director of natural gas for transportation with Fortis BC. “Our fleet customers are saving anywhere from 25 to 40 per cent in fuel costs over petroleum fuels and it’s also an opportunity to burn domestic fuel since almost 100 per cent of the gas we burn in British Columbia comes from right here in B.C.”

City officials and the media got an up-close look at the compression system used to carry and convert the natural gas for transport vehicles.

Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian says the city will test out the greener gas alternative with one of its solid waste collection trucks.

“When we do switch over to CNG traditionally there has been some loss of power. If it affects our ability to climb some of hills in Kamloops then obviously we won’t continue with that,” said Christian. “The proximity of the station to our public works yard is very fortuitous so hopefully if it works then we’ll be able to make further conversions and hopefully save money for Kamloops taxpayers and utilities.”