Albany, NY (July 5, 2001) - - - Travelers at Albany International Airport will soon be riding on new shuttle buses powered by natural gas. The Albany County Airport Authority will purchase two CNG (compressed natural gas) fueled buses to transport passengers to and from the Airport's remote parking lots and three CNG powered pickup trucks that will replace older models in the Airport fleet.

"Natural gas is a clean and cost saving alternative fuel that will power the Airport's next generation of vehicles," said Rev. Michael A. Farano, Chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority. "Our choice of CNG vehicles will enable the Airport to provide efficient transportation to our patrons and workers and play a significant role in helping to reduce harmful emissions into the environment."

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded the Airport a grant of $54,000 to cover the incremental cost of the new CNG fueled vehicles. The grant is the result of Airport participation in the Capital District Clean Communities Coalition based at the Capital District Transportation Committee with program support by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

The Airport Authority will install a fast-fill natural gas fueling station to fuel the new vehicles. The fueling station has the capacity to pump the equivalent of 40 gallons of gasoline per-hour and be capable of fueling two vehicles simultaneously.

The CNG fueling station will be fed through a direct connection to a Niagara Mohawk gas main. The fueling station will cost approximately $177,000 with an anticipated payback period of less than five years. At today's pump prices, natural gas is selling at the equivalent of 30 cents per gallon less than gasoline or diesel fuel.

The CNG powered vehicles offer a number of advantages including lower fuel costs, cleaner air, lower maintenance costs, longer engine life and decreased dependence on foreign oil. CNG is the cleanest burning alternative fuel emitting 74% less carbon monoxide, 70% less hydrocarbons and 85% less nitrous oxides. New York State has large natural gas reserves, primarily in the western area and Southern Tier of the State.

The Airport Authority plans to continue to replace its shuttle buses and many of its fleet of maintenance vehicles with CNG powered vehicles. Future funding support for the fleet conversion is anticipated through ongoing Airport participation in the Capital District Clean Communities Coalition and initiatives sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and U.S. Department of Energy.

-30-