America’s natural gas delivery system is extraordinarily efficient. Did you know that 92% of the natural gas produced at the wellhead is delivered to customers as usable energy. Converting fossil fuels into electricity is only 32% efficient. There is a 68% loss of usable energy when you convert fossil fuels such as coal into electricity to power comparable electric end-use products and appliances in the home or businesses. When it comes to appliances, the direct use of natural gas is the smarter, cleaner and more efficient choice.

More interesting facts:

In typical home appliances, the direct use of natural gas results in energy consumption that is 28% less than a similar home with all electric appliances.

Through continuous innovation, natural gas furnaces and boilers are up to 96% efficient. Even though the size of the average American home has increased 50% since 1970, natural gas consumption has gone down by 40% per household during the same time period.

Your natural gas utility is your neighbor and trusted energy partner.

Learn more about the direct use of natural gas in this report from the American Gas Association, Squeezing Every BTU – Natural Gas Direct Use Opportunities and Challenges (01/17/2012).

In our blog post today we thought we would share some information that we received from the American Gas Association 2011 “play book.” The playbook is a compilation of the latest facts and figures about natural gas.

Today natural gas touches nearly every segment of American life. Natural gas is the dominant source of energy for heat, hot water and cooking in residences and in businesses across the country. Natural gas has unique qualities that many prefer over other options including “warmer” warm air for home heating, more control in cooking, as well as a lower cost.

Natural gas is also used as a feedstock and for other production purposes; it is used to generate electricity and is used as a transportation fuel, primarily for fleets.

BAF, A Clean Energy Company, is the premier provider of natural gas vehicles. We work with fleet managers and dealers to convert new vehicles to run on CNG. This conversion work can be done in our headquarters facility in Dallas or at one of our partners’ facilities nationwide depending on customer requirements for delivery and service.

If you are a fleet manager, view our products.

In today’s video, Brent Pope, BAF Director of Sales outlines several key reasons why you should consider BAF when converting your fleet to CNG.

And here is our event schedule during the first 3 months of the year.

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Collins Bus Corporation announced today an exclusive agreement with BAF, A Clean Energy Company, to develop the first Type A school bus with a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel system. BAF is the premier provider of natural gas vehicles under Ford Motor Company’s Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QMV) program. Collins, North America’s largest builder of Type A school and school activity buses, will be offering this system as an option on several models starting in the spring of 2012.

Collins has been working on a CNG version of their bus for several years, but was unable to find a viable option until partnering with BAF. Tyler noted, “The key factor in any alternative engine option is weight. Just landing on a new concept won’t cut it if you can’t achieve a practical range with the passenger capacity you need. We’re happy that we can get both with this option from BAF.”

Collins Bus Corporation, a subsidiary of Allied Specialty Vehicles, Inc. (ASV), markets Type-A buses throughout North America under the brands of Collins, Mid Bus, NEXBUS, and Corbeil. They produce advanced technology solutions such as Propane, CNG, and Hybrid-Electric powered buses. Collins has the largest distribution network of any Type-A bus company with over 50 dealers in the United States and Canada. Collins’ parent, ASV, with revenues of approximately $1Billion, is a market leader in multiple segments, including ambulance, fire and rescue, recreational vehicles, terminal trucks and street sweeper products. For additional information on Collins Bus Corporation, please visit www.collinsbuscorp.com.

What does this mean? Receiving the CARB EO allows the Ford Transit Connect to be sold and operated in California, the state with most stringent emissions control rules, effective immediately. Sixteen other states follow CARB rules.

BAF already has CARB EOs for the 2012 F-450/550/650 utility body and E-450 shuttle. Also for 2012, BAF has EPA certifications for these dedicated CNG Ford vehicles: E-250/350 van, E-450 shuttle, F-250/350 pickup and F-450/550/650 utility body. BAF’s bi-fuel CNG products — E-250/350 van and F-250/350 pickup — are EPA-certified.

“The Transit Connect is in growing demand for fleets of all types across the country, including taxis and service vans,” said John Bacon, BAF president. “CARB certification means the Transit Connect will now be available in all 50 states.”

BAF is the first CNG converter recognized as a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) for gaseous fuel. Further, the company uses Ford-accredited QCM (Quality Calibrations Modifier) calibrations and all vehicles converted by BAF are registered through Ford QFC (Quality Fleet Care) for all warranty and service work through Ford dealerships. Finally, BAF takes the extra step of crash testing its light-duty vehicle products to achieve FMVSS 303 compliance.

“No other company in the market has made the investments in quality that we have,” noted Bacon. “We continue to ensure that every aspect of our company is positioned to serve our existing customers as well as growing market demand.”

And we’re expanding too! We’ve recently leased a new 91,000-square-foot in Dallas to house our expanding headquarters, R&D and service facility there. We also have a network of 65 dealers across the country certified to install the our CNG conversions.

Learn more about CNG.

Last week, a bipartisan trio of US Senators introduced the New Alternative Transportation to Give American Solutions, NATGAS Act (S. 1380).  According to Richard Kolodziej, president of NGVAmerica,  ”This comprehensive legislation is driven by the need for America to quickly switch to more domestically available fuels while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gases and urban pollution. This bill would provide a real incentive for American businesses to help them diversify away from petroleum reliance and lower their fuel bills at a time when those costs are very high. And it will put hundreds of thousands of people to work building new fueling stations, manufacturing natural gas vehicles, and producing domestic natural gas, at a time when adding American jobs is critical.”

You can do your part to help ensure that this bill passes by telling your senators that your support the NAT GAS ACT.  Click here, and let your senators know that you want to reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy. Please do so today!

If you are a fleet manager interested in learning more about how CNG can work for your fleet, check out ourour website.