Clean Energy Building First Private Natural Gas Fueling Station for Houston's METRO

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. signed a new agreement with Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) to build the agency’s first private compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station. 

The new state-of-the-art facility will be the first of its kind and will exclusively serve up to 120 of METRO’s newest natural gas-powered transit buses operating busy routes throughout Houston and beyond.

The Clean Energy, METRO Agreement

Under the new agreement, Clean Energy will design and build the new station, upgrade the current site’s bays, and provide operations and maintenance services for the station that is expected to consume two million gallons of CNG annually, when it is completed and fully operational. 

The new station is set to play a crucial role in METRO's efforts to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon emissions by helping the agency meet its commitment of running fleet vehicles on zero emissions fuels by 2030. 

By transitioning to CNG, the transit fleet will be able to achieve a 90% reduction in NOx and tailpipe emissions, contributing to cleaner air in areas where the buses operate.

METRO’s New Station

The new station and buses will be able to seamlessly transition to renewable natural gas (RNG), allowing the fleet to reduce carbon emissions by over 300%. 

“For METRO, growing their CNG-powered fleet and making the switch will truly help shift the dial in reaching their sustainability goals and emphasizing the power of green energy,” said Chad Lindholm, sr. VP at Clean Energy. “This deal also demonstrates the confidence the city has in CNG as a cleaner, more efficient fuel to provide essential transport to millions of commuters daily.” 

The new station will be located at the Hiram Clarke facility in Houston’s southwest. Once completed, it will be able to fuel 120 diesel gallon equivalent (DGEs) in under 12 minutes, a prerequisite of the build to ensure efficient, in-and-out fueling. 

Construction is expected to begin in early 2025.