The City of Clearwater has recently embarked upon the next level in effort to increase its sustainability and become an even “greener” City. The “Clearwater Greenprint” initiative promotes a citywide mobility and sustainability vision and framework, which supports methods to increase the energy-efficiency of our neighborhoods, business districts and transportation systems, while enhancing economic competiveness, livability and overall quality of life in Clearwater.

A key resource that the City of Clearwater has is that it owns and operates the Clearwater Gas System, a full-service natural and propane gas utility that serves 20 surrounding cities in 2 counties. Natural and propane gas are inherently a “green resource” in their end-use application.

Therefore, in January 2010, the City and Clearwater Gas System embarked on a plan to build a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling station and begin the conversion of solid waste trucks and utility vehicles to further support the City’s Greenprint initiative and further promote green energy use while enhancing Clearwater’s sustainability. The City’s CNG facility is the first of its kind within the Pinellas County area and one of only a hand-full in the State. It provides local public and private fleets the ability to utilize CNG vehicles versus gasoline fueled vehicles.

Natural gas is widely known as an environmentally-friendly fuel with minimal carbon emissions. Additionally, natural gas is cheaper than most fossil fuels and in wide abundance in this country. As a primary initiative to enhance Clearwater’s sustainability, Clearwater Gas System (owned by the City of Clearwater) and the City’s Solid Waste departments have partnered to build this innovative local Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle fueling station/facility.