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                      NEWS RELEASE FROM THE

                   CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
May 24, 1995                           Bob Aldrich - 916-654-4989


            CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION AND CALTRANS 
         TO DEMONSTRATE MEDIUM-DUTY NATURAL GAS VEHICLES


The California Energy Commission today approved an agreement 
with the California Department of Transportation to demonstrate 
the use of compressed natural gas in medium-duty vehicles.  
Caltrans also is expected to approve the agreement.

The agreement totalling about $140,000 will repower at least 
10 (and as many as 15) vehicles used by Caltrans in the San 
Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego.  The funds will 
be used to cover the equipment to allow the vehicles to use the 
clean, alternative fuel.  The vehicles will be bi-fuel powered, 
meaning they will be able to run on a blend of natural gas and 
diesel fuel.

"Last August, Governor Wilson issued an Executive Order 
requiring that 25 percent of state vehicles purchased in 1996 
be alternatively fueled," said Energy Commission Chairman 
Charles Imbrecht.  "Older, more specialized vehicles such as 
those operated by Caltrans, however, are not going to be replaced 
as quickly.  So, they offer perfect opportunities for conversion
to cleaner fuels."

The most visible portion of the project will be conversion of 
Caltrans tow trucks, which operate on the San Francisco / Oakland 
Bay Bridge, to run on a blend of diesel and natural gas.  Other 
Caltrans vehicles being converted include "shadow barrier" trucks 
(trucks with flashing-arrow signs to direct traffic around work 
crews) and trash compactor trucks for freeway clean up use.  All 
of the vehicles will be identified as being powered by clean, 
natural gas.

"Caltrans is committed to doing its share to keep California's
skies clean," said Caltrans Director James W. van Loben Sels. 
"Our employees drive millions of miles a year, and by using 
clean, alternative fuels we'll be reducing the amount of 
emissions that our vehicles produce. We're happy to join with 
the Energy Commission in this demonstration project."

The project will demonstrate the use of natural gas over a three 
year period.  It is expected that nitrogen oxides and other 
smog-forming emissions will be reduced by at least 30 percent.  
Particulate matter, the black smoke from diesel engines, could be 
reduced as much as 90 percent.  The natural gas conversion kit 
will used an advanced design, closed-loop system for diesel 
engines.

The project is part of a demonstration program the Energy 
Commission created with funding from Senate Bill 1211 (Chapter 
67, Statues of 1992) and Senate Bill 2211 (Chapter 1661, 
Statutes of 1990).  Funds are provided to California by the 
Petroleum Violation Escrow Account, which are fines collected by 
the federal government from oil companies that overcharged 
consumers at the pumps during the 1970 oil crises.

Natural gas for the vehicles will be provided by Pacific Gas and 
Electric Company in the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern 
California Gas Company in the Los Angeles area, and San Diego 
Gas & Electric in San Diego area.


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For more information contact:
Bob Aldrich or Claudia Chandler, 
California Energy Commission, 916-654-4989

Jim Drago, Caltrans, 916-654-4677


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File Name: 95-05-24_Caltrans_and_Energy_Commission_NGV_Projec