VNG and Ariel Corporation Commend Congress' Expanded Recognition of the Importance of Natural Gas Vehicles

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio and BLUE BELL, Pa., July 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 23^rd, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) introduced HR-6476 the Light-Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Parity Act of 2018 in the US House of Representatives, a companion to Senate bill 3226 introduced by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) on July 17^th in the US Senate.

Ariel Corporation and VNG.co LLC applaud Rep. Johnson for expanding congressional support and ensuring federal agencies give the same regulatory treatment to natural gas vehicles that is provided to electric vehicles. 

"We are grateful for Rep. Johnson taking the lead in the House with legislation recognizing the value of natural gas as a mainstream transportation fuel," said Tom Rastin, Executive Vice President of Ariel.  "America is the number one producer of natural gas in the world, yet of the 25 million natural gas vehicles in use worldwide, only about 150,000 reside in the US. Natural gas has already been a proven success for reducing transportation emissions for medium and heavy duty trucking worldwide, and light-duty vehicles are the next logical step."

"This legislation is particularly relevant for the pick-up truck and other light-duty trucks which represent almost 70% of market, or 10 million new vehicles hitting our roads each year," underscored Harvey Lamm, VNG co-founder and former co-founder, chairman and CEO of Subaru of America.  "Pick-ups and other light-duty trucks have a lower fuel economy, consume the most fuel and emit the most pollution, and for these vehicles an electrification solution is challenging and uncertain due to their weight and utility."

Rep. Johnson added, "I am proud to introduce H.R. 6476, the Light-Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Parity Act of 2018, which will help encourage federal regulatory parity for natural gas vehicles. Our federal policies must encourage an all of the above approach to our energy production and consumption, and this bill helps achieve that goal by requiring federal agencies to provide the same regulatory treatment currently provided to electric vehicles. As the world's largest producer of natural gas, we must take full advantage of this abundant, job-creating resource."

This is the third piece of legislation in support of natural gas vehicles in the last ninety days recognizing the benefits of natural gas for the economy, consumers, automakers, the environment and energy independence. The use of renewable natural gas ("RNG") sourced from landfills, agriculture and water treatment facilities can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% to 130% or more, outperforming electric vehicles. RNG's potential was initially identified by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and has been certified by CARB as providing some of the greatest emission reductions seen to date.

About Ariel

Established in 1966 and headquartered in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Ariel Corporation is the world's largest manufacturer of separable reciprocating gas compressors utilized by the global energy industry. As a world-class manufacturer, Ariel sets the industry standard through industry-leading research & development, expert design & manufacturing, and unmatched customer support.

About VNG

VNG is a leading retail compressed natural gas fueling service provider. By offering its fueling services within gasoline stations, VNG supports the widespread use of light-duty NGVs by national and regional fleets, and eventually the mass-market consumer segment. VNG installs, maintains, monitors and operates its company-owned CNG fueling equipment, providing fleets with cost-effective, turnkey CNG fueling services.

The company was co-founded by Harvey Lamm, the co-founder of Subaru of America and Bob Annunziata, the founder of Teleport Communications Group, the first CLEC in the telecommunications industry.  VNG® is the nation's CNG fueling solution.  For more information, please visit the company's website at www.vng.co or call (610) 709-5500.

SOURCE VNG