Holiday Makes the Jump Into CNG

DULUTH, Minn. -- Holiday Cos. will make its first foray into compressed natural gas (CNG) when it adds the alternative fuel to its Holiday Stationstore here at 3931 W. First St. The CNG is expected to be available at this location in mid-September.

Trillium CNG will build, operate and maintain the fast-fill CNG pump, which will be offered for public use.

"We recognize the need to offer customers a cleaner, more cost-effective fuel alternative and are pleased to partner with Trillium CNG on the opening," said Brian Ochocki, vice president for Holiday Stationstores. "This will be Holiday's first CNG fueling [site], and we are excited to offer local fleets this option at a convenient location open 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

CNG is purported to have several benefits compared to traditional petroleum, including its local abundance; 100-year supply; and lower greenhouse gas, nitrogen gas, carbon monoxide and particulate matter emissions. In addition, CNG is less expensive than traditional petroleum, with the alternative fuel selling for between $1.99 and $2.09 per gasoline gallon equivalent in the local Minnesota area, according to Holiday Stationstores.

"We are proud to be working with Holiday Stationstores, which recognizes the importance of making CNG available in the Duluth market," said Mary Boettcher, president of Trillium CNG,  a business unit of Integrys Energy Group Inc. "Fleet operators know that we stake our reputation on delivering a great fueling experience for our customers -- fast, safe and reliable."

Boettcher also commented that in addition to its environmental impact, 98 percent of the natural gas used in the United States is produced in North America.

Bloomington, Minn.-based Holiday Cos. operates 492 corporate and franchise convenience store locations in 10 states throughout the upper tier of the U.S. and Alaska.