Port of Jacksonville to be first with LNG fuel terminal?

Google Earth view of planned LNG terminal site

OCTOBER 30, 2013 — Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) says that it has placed a purchase contract on property where it hopes to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel terminal in Jacksonville, FL. This would be the first LNG facility on the Eastern seaboard to specifically supply LNG for the maritime, heavy-duty trucking and rail industries.

The planned facility is the first project to be developed by Eagle LNG Partners, a consortium between Clean Energy, GE Ventures, GE Energy Financial Services and Ferus Natural Gas Fuels formed earlier this to jointly deliver LNG fuel in the United States.

“Establishing LNG capacity in Jacksonville is a critical strategic effort to enable LNG fueling throughout the Southeast region for our various market segments,” said Brian Powers, vice president of LNG production, Clean Energy. “This Eagle LNG Partners project could establish the Port of Jacksonville as a leader in maritime natural gas fueling and support the shipping industry as it follows other transportation segments in transitioning to natural gas.”

Located on the St. Johns River at 1632 Zoo Pkwy., Jacksonville, FL, the facility could have the capability to produce approximately 300,000 gallons of LNG per day to support anticipated increases in maritime and rail use and bolster supply for trucking fleets operating throughout the Southeast United States.

“The Jacksonville project is a strong first step for Eagle LNG Partners and would put the Eastern seaboard and Southeast region clearly in play for high horsepower LNG fueling applications,” said Sanjay Bishnoi, senior director, GE Ventures.

Clean Energy has built an LNG facility in California, which has the capacity to produce 180,000 gallons of LNG per day. Clean Energy also operates an LNG facility in Willis, Texas that can produce 100,000 gallons of LNG per day. Construction of the Jacksonville facility is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2014 and is estimated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015. Financial details of the project were not disclosed.

Clean Energy says that Jacksonville has emerged as a leading contender to facilitate LNG in maritime applications with Jacksonville-based shipping companies increasing orders for LNG-fueled ships to service Caribbean markets such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Clean Energy says it is conducting an “open season” for customers to secure a portion of the facility’s remaining available capacity.