Clean Energy Fuels Corp. was awarded a contract by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), to provide an expected 86 million gallons of renewable natural gas (RNG) to operate its bus fleet, according to the company's news release.

“San Diego MTS was an early adopter of natural gas in the 1990s and has continued to seek cleaner and more economical fueling options,” said Chad Lindholm, Clean Energy SVP. “As a result of the use of RNG the people who live in the San Diego area will have less exposure to greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air.”

MTS serves the San Diego metropolitan area with a fleet of 764 buses, of which 595 run on RNG, that fuel at four private transit stations.

The contract was awarded through competitive solicitation. By operating on RNG instead of diesel, it is anticipated that the fleet will reduce 73,972 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

“RNG is a great example of how we can use innovation and technology to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment,” said Sharon Cooney, MTS CEO. “The use of RNG is an important strategy for MTS while we work toward achieving our goal of zero emissions. This contract with Clean Energy will play key role as MTS continues transitioning to a more eco-friendly transit system.”

Clean Energy said it will continue to serve Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by extending an operations and maintenance agreement for WMATA’s stations in Washington, DC and Arlington, Va., which fuel 300 buses with an approximate 4.6 million gallons of natural gas.

Clean Energy added that it is extending its partnership with the City of Burbank for an additional 10 years, providing an anticipated five million gallons of RNG at two stations to fuel 50 trucks and transit vehicles.