The Pennsylvania's Public Private Transportation Partnership Office is inviting the private sector to submit their qualifications for the development clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations at public transit agencies.

The selected private partner will design, build, finance, operate and maintain CNG filling stations at up to 37 transit facilities. Each fueling site must provide access to CNG for public transit and other CNG vehicles.

In addition, PennDOT will enter into a CNG supply contract with the selected partner as well as purchase agreements with each of the transit agencies. PennDOT would receive a portion of the fuel sales revenue, with the money being returned to transit agencies to assist with future capital projects.

Interested proposers must submit in hard copy their statements of qualifications for the porject to the PennDOT Public-Private Transportation Partnership Office by 11 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2014. 

The project was approved by the state's P3 Board on Sept. 29 and PennDOT has hosted an industry forum to educate potential, private-sector stakeholders on the scope and requirements.

In 2013, Pennsylvania became the second-largest natural gas producing state in the USA. The abundance of low-cost natural gas has driven electric and natural gas prices down nearly 40 percent since 2008.

PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch stated:

"Natural gas is a valuable resource that provides affordable, cleaner options for vehicles in Pennsylvania. This project will ensure we can capitalize on this resource and also benefit the authorities that provide vital transportation services."

In July 2012, Governor Corbett signed into law the Public and Private Partnerships for Transportation Act, which authorized P3 projects in Pennsylvania. This law allows PennDOT and other state agencies, transportation authorities and commissions to partner with private companies to participate in delivering, maintaining and financing transportation-related projects.

As part of the P3 law, the seven-member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board was appointed to examine and approve potential public-private transportation projects. If the board determines a state operation or project would be more cost-effectively administered or delivered by a private company, the department or appropriate transportation agency can advertise a competitive RFP and enter into a contract with a company to completely or partially deliver the transportation-related service or project.