Today, the City of Hamilton and Enbridge announced they worked together to develop the first renewable natural gas (RNG) fueled bus in Ontario, Canada. In fact, the city already works with Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), which is the first public transportation in Ontario to use RNG for customers’ use.
Therefore, the city and Enridge hope the HSR RNG bus to use and divert 450 tons of organic waste from the landfill in one year.
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Ontario’s First Carbon-Negative Bus
This Thursday, the City of Hamilton and Enbridge Gas announced they jointly developed and delivered the first renewable natural gas (RNG) fueled bus in Ontario, Canada. Accordingly, Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), the first public transportation in Ontario to use RNG, will be in charge of operating and diverting organic waste from the landfill through the bus.
Furthermore, both the city and Enbridge expect the bus to use and divert 450 tons of organic waste per year. For instance, that’s equivalent to 138 garbage trucks. Besides, the RNG-fueled bus will displace CO2 emissions from 36,000 liters of diesel consumed in a year.
In fact, RNG vehicle fuel is upgraded biogas. Hence, it is the gaseous product of the decomposition of organic waste from homes and businesses.
Moreover, RNG buses cost half compared to electric buses and have a similar fuel price as diesel. Therefore, diesel buses can be replaced 1-for-1 with RNG without compromising performance.
Like diesel, RNG operates during freezing weather conditions, and refueling takes minutes. As a result, this demonstrates that municipalities can have carbon-neutral transit today without sacrificing performance, reliability, or range.
Partnerships between the City of Hamilton, Enbridge Gas and StormFisher
Therefore, this green HSR bus operates with carbon-negative RNG—fuel that goes beyond net-zero. Moreover, StormFisher’s facility in London, Ontario, provided the RNG creating a circular economy in the province. This project also helps the community achieve its climate change targets, divert waste from landfills, and support economic development.
“Renewable natural gas provides an excellent opportunity for the HSR and City of Hamilton to continue our efforts to lower corporate GHG emissions. Moreover, it helps us move toward targets outlined in our Climate Change Emergency declaration and Corporate Energy and Sustainability Policy. Thus, we are proud to partner with Enbridge Gas on this innovative initiative that will pave the way to ensure the future of transit in our community;” says the Mayor Fred Eisenberger City of Hamilton.
“We are excited to work with the City of Hamilton and Enbridge on this transformational initiative. Also, using renewable natural gas as a carbon-negative fuel for public transit is a great example of the steps that need to be taken as we move forward into a net-zero carbon future. Besides, this is supporting economic development and jobs in Ontario,” says Brandon Moffatt, Vice President, Development & Operations, StormFisher Ltd.
“HSR is proud to have led the transit industry as an early adopter of natural gas to fuel a significant portion of our buses. By leveraging RNG, we’re continuing our legacy of being one of the greenest transit fleets in Ontario and Canada,” says Debbie Dalle Vedove, Director of Transit (HSR).
Further actions on the energy transition
Today, there are more than 110 operating RNG facilities in North America, with ten of those in Canada. Furthermore, there are over 230 RNG projects in various stages of development or construction in Ontario.
In this sense, with the Enbridge Gas turnkey, all-inclusive program, and collaboration with governments and partners, the city is advancing innovative energy solutions. Besides, it is helping fleets switch to green RNG today in the City of Hamilton.
“The HSR is a prime example of a major transit authority recognizing the environmental benefits and financial value of RNG;” said Cynthia Hansen, President of Enbridge Gas. Hence, “we’re pleased to support their efforts by supplying RNG, a cleaner fuel option that will help fight climate change in the region.”
In addition to RNG for transport, Enbridge Gas will soon offer a new Voluntary RNG program. Therefore, this program gives customers a choice to support the transition to clean energy through a small monthly contribution ($2). Finally, their help will offset the increased costs of acquiring carbon-neutral renewable natural gas.
