Vehicles

Developing transportation markets and a fueling infrastructure in North Texas for natural gas vehicles (NGV) is the goal of gas producers and other companies behind the newly formed Metroplex Natural Gas Vehicle Consortium.

The popularity of natural gas vehicles (NGV) in Utah may take a hit this summer when the price of the fuel, which had been subsidized for nearly 20 years, will be allowed to rise to reflect its actual cost.

The popularity of natural gas vehicles (NGV) in Utah may take a hit this summer when the price of the fuel, which had been subsidized for nearly 20 years, will be allowed to rise to reflect its actual cost.

Public sector fleet vehicles will be driving on the equivalent of $2/gallon fuel through the partnership of Newport Beach, CA-based FirmGreen Inc. and the Waste Authority of Central Ohio, which opened a Green Energy Center near Columbus, OH, on Monday.

Atmos Energy is planning a complete rebranding of TXU Gas Co. on Feb. 1. The Texas utility company, its customers’ bills, employees’ uniforms, vehicles, buildings, forms, stationery, pipeline markers and website will all will have the new name Atmos Energy. “We want the transition for TXU Gas customers to be smooth and transparent,” said Atmos CEO Robert W. Best. “We purposively have delayed making major changes to ensure stability in the operations and to prepare for rebranding the business under our own name.” Atmos completed its purchase of TXU Gas and began serving customers on Oct. 1, 2004. The transaction made Atmos Energy the largest gas distribution company in the nation, serving about 3.1 million utility customers in more than 1,500 communities in 12 states . TXU Gas’ operations include service to 1.5 million utility customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and 550 other communities across northern Texas. The company also operates one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipelines in the state.

Although often seen as effective vehicles for achievingcompetition, pilot programs also are being used as a “delayingtactic” by some natural gas and electric utilities that aren’tbullish on the idea of bringing customer choice to their markets, amarketing official charged last week.