By Spc. Erica Leigh Foley
Northwest Guardian

The first gas station offering compressed natural gas on Fort Lewis opened in August 2003, ushering the installation into the era of alternative fuels.

The official ribbon cutting at the new natural gas fuel station was conducted by (right to left): Major General Collins, Fort Lewis and 1st Corps Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff; Butch DiCugno, Fleet Management Director, General Services Administration; Karen Turner Lee, Gas Operations Director, Puget Sound Energy; Dennis McLerran, Executive Director, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency; and Linda Graham, Director, Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition.

The grand opening of the CNG station marked a celebration of a great achievement and accomplishment, said Col. Steven Perrenot, Department of Public Works director. He said creating an alternative fuel site at Fort Lewis is an objective in the post's sustainability plan.

"The Army joins dozens of other agencies and fleet operators who see natural gas as playing a key role in efforts to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil and air pollution, especially in urban areas like the South Puget Sound," said Karen Turner Lee, gas operations director for Puget Sound Energy.

The vehicles can use cleaner-burning natural gas, normally used to heat homes, run clothes dryers and stoves. Vehicles using compressed natural gas produce less carbon monoxide and reactive hydrocarbons (components of air pollution), leaving behind a cleaner, healthier environment. Because natural gas burns cleaner, it causes less wear and tear on vehicle engines, reducing maintenance, said Sherri Whiteman, air program manager for DPW.

"In the year-and-a-half since General Services Administration participated as a stakeholder in the Fort Lewis Installation Sustainability Workshop, significant accomplishments have been achieved," said Butch DiCugno, fleet management director, General Services Administration.

The first CNG fueling honors went to Major General Collins, Fort Lewis and 1st Corps deputy commanding general and chief of staff, who fueled one of Fort Lewis' many natural gas vehicles, a Chevy Cavalier.

Currently, GSA provides 223 alternative fueled vehicles to Fort Lewis and the surrounding offices with more to come, he said.

"We will continue our partnership with the Department of the Army as we work toward the goal of 50 percent of vehicles provided by GSA to operate on some form of alternative fuel by 2007," DiCugno said.

Even though the purchase and use of alternative fueled vehicles is mandated, the installation site goes above and beyond mere compliance, said Perrenot.

"We have taken on the challenge in large measure because it's the right thing to do" said Maj. Gen. James Collins, Fort Lewis and 1st Corps deputy commanding general and chief of staff. 

Natural gas is lighter than air and rises if released to the environment, making it less likely to ignite than liquid fuel, which spills onto the ground. The natural gas feeds directly to a compressor that fills storage cylinders. The gas is then dispensed into a three-tier cascade system.

"I encourage everyone that is able to use this fuel station to use it," Collins said.

"By doing so, you will be doing your part to make Fort Lewis and the surrounding community a better place," he added.

All GSA vehicle operators are authorized to use the site after safety and operation training is completed. The GSA representatives at Building 9791 will provide training and will also be available for assistance. All GSA CNG vehicle operators will be required to use CNG for their main fuel unless the vehicle is off post and no CNG fueling site is available. 

Thank you to Fort Lewis and the Northwest Guardian for use of this story.

More information on the Fort Lewis Installation Sustainability Plan - At Fort Lewis, More Than The Uniforms Are Green