Pasadena : Boost for Methanol
A methanol pump and tank to be installed at a Mobil station at Lake Avenue and Maple Street got a boost Tuesday.
City directors told the city attorney on Tuesday to prepare an urgency ordinance waiving part of the review process for the station, which is participating in a 10-year California Energy Commission program to encourage the use of methanol fuel, which emits 50% fewer hydrocarbons than gasoline.
Ordinarily, station operators need a conditional-use permit before installation of the pump and tank. But because the tank will be delivered in December, months before the station can receive approval from the city’s backlogged zoning administrator, the operators sought permission to install as soon as possible to avoid winter rain damage.
The methanol will be sold only to operators of methanol-powered fleets. The city, with its 11 methanol vehicles, will be the primary purchaser at first.
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