Inside Firestone

Firestone Opens Weld County's First CNG Fueling Station

Firestone Mayor Chad Auer spoke at a ribbon cutting for Weld County’s first compressed national gas (CNG) fueling station on June 29, 2012, which opened in Firestone. The SkyBlu station, operated by Mansfield Energy Corp., is located at the Shell Station at 11099 E. Interstate 25 Frontage Road, which is owned by Firestone Convenience LLC.

Auer spoke about how this station is the future of the world’s energy market. “The CNG fueling station in Firestone is a step forward,” Auer said in a previous press release. “It is a step toward expanded use of clean energy, opening foreign and domestic markets, improving Colorado’s economy and lowering our dependence on foreign oil. While this is only one step, it is a critical one.”

Weld County Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer has been active at getting these stations throughout the county since 2009, when she helped start the Weld County Natural Gas Coalition. “Weld County has 40 percent of all oil and gas wells in the state,” she said. “Putting in these natural gas stations is important to our economy in Weld County.”

In addition to Auer and Kirkmeyer, other keynote speakers included Alex Schroeder with the Colorado Energy Office and Mansfield Energy Corp. President J. Alexander.

Following the speakers and ribbon cutting, Elizabeth Relford, transportation planner for the Weld County Public Works Department, was the first to fill at the CNG station.

There are currently 15 CNG fueling stations throughout the state of Colorado, and the Firestone SkyBlu site is presently the furthest north. However, three more sites are planned for Weld County, including Greeley, Fort Lupton and Kersey.

Town Manager Wesley LaVanchy said, “I am excited for the Town of Firestone to be an example in the region for providing clean, alternative energy to both citizens and businesses. We encourage area residents and businesses to take advantage of this cheaper, cleaner energy source in their own backyard.”

The CNG site is open 24 hours a day and offers duel hose fast fill dispensers for light, medium and heavy duty CNG vehicles.

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