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INL small-scale LNG liquefaction plant in Sacramento.

The INL Alternative Fuels Program focuses on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) as alternatives to conventional gasoline and diesel fuels for powering heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles. Our program is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative to reduce air pollution and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported petroleum products by promoting the use of domestically available fuels that burn with lower emissions. LNG and CNG meet both of these criteria, and they provide the additional advantages of being relatively safe to store and use, and they are cost-competitive with conventional fuels.

Riverdale LNG/CNG fueling station.

Our research is designed to provide practical, clean, cost-effective alternatives to conventional vehicle fuels. We offer our services to public-sector fleets, private fleets, and others who can benefit from our experience and expertise with equipment and technologies relating to CNG and LNG. We seek collaborative agreements with industry partners willing to invest in promising LNG and CNG technologies.

These technologies are helping to change the world we live in. The decreased use of imported fossil fuels will help to increase the U.S. economy and decrease dependence on Middle East fuels.

Tour buses for Yellowstone National Park

The program has four main thrusts, all designed to implement DOE’s initiatives:

• Vehicle Conversions and Demonstrations: Converting transit buses, cars, pickup trucks, and vans in the INL fleet to operate on LNG or CNG.
• Technical Outreach: Providing technical support to the public and private sector parties in topics related to vehicle conversions, refueling stations, fuel handling, and safety.
• Research Projects: Performing research to invent and develop new technologies that will strengthen LNG and CNG infrastructures (fuel production, storage, management, and dispensing) and promote acceptance of these alternative fuels in the marketplace.
• Privatization: Collaborating with private sector partners in the industry to develop and demonstrate these new technologies in real-world situations.