Utah's network of natural-gas filling stations could extend past I-15
Energy » Lawmakers and Questar eye Wyoming and Colorado connections via I-80 and I-70.
By Brandon Loomis

The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated: 06/17/2009 04:35:55 PM MDT


Utah's already enviable network of compressed-natural-gas stations for cars is taking root along Interstate 15 and soon may branch out to other corners of the state.

Questar Corp. officials updated legislators Wednesday on this year's CNG I-15 expansion, but hinted that the Uinta Basin, Green River and Wendover may follow. The idea is to link to neighboring states and encourage them to follow Utah's lead in supplying low-polluting cars with regionally produced fuel.

"We are working with Colorado and Wyoming to try to get a better infrastructure in place on I-80 and I-70," Questar government-relations manager Rey Butcher said. "It's on our agenda."

That statement came in response to prodding from the Legislature's Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee. Sen. Kevin VanTassell, R-Vernal, said consumers need filling stations in eastern and western Utah, not just the central I-15 corridor.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Questar announced a public-private boost to the I-15 natural-gas network last winter.

The company is upgrading compressors in Orem and Woods Cross from 100 cubic feet per minute to 700 cubic feet per minute, enabling any number of vehicles to fill up within three or four minutes without depleting pressure for the next customer. In turn, the old Orem and Woods Cross compressors will move to new stations in Ogden and Hurricane.

For the state's part, the Department of Administrative Services is spending $100,000


this year to increase compression at six Wasatch Front stations and opening them to the public, instead of just to the state's fleet.

Questar ratepayers across the state subsidize part of the cost of compressed gas for cars in their home gas bills. That's a trade-off the state supports.

"There is clearly a benefit," especially in reducing air pollution on the Wasatch Front, said Dianne Nielson, the governor's energy adviser. Plus, she said, "This is a fuel that we generate in Utah and the Mountain West, so we're displacing imported oil."


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