Dive Brief:
- In Minnesota, a move to switch asphalt plants from petroleum fuel to LNG for heating resulted in lower fuel costs and increased plant efficiency.
- Paving in the state got a late start this year due to a wet spring, and that cut into contractors' incomes.
- Operators at plants that now run LNG also report greatly reduced stack emissions.
Dive Insight:
It's not clear from the report how extensive the switch to LNG for heating asphalt is yet, but the data indicates the improvements are measurable for those that did change. One company said throughput went from 15 to 17 trucks per hour. The company also said its energy savings were over $10,000 in the shortened season.
