Madonna Integrates Natural Gas-Powered Transportation

The first-ever natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in Nebraska used to transport healthcare patients are now travelling Lincoln streets. A Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital (www.madonna.org) spokesperson said its nine natural gas-powered vans will allow the non-profit facility to lock-in low fuel rates for four years, operate with a cleaner burning fuel and help protect the environment through lower tailpipe emissions.

Officials with natural gas utility Black Hills Energy presented Madonna a $15,000 incentive check to lower the cost of converting the vehicles on December 21st. Stirk CNG contributed $4,500 to offset the purchase of the vans. The vans are part of the hospital’s effort to join the national trend of cutting fuel costs and reducing tailpipe emissions by converting fleet vehicles to run on natural gas.

Madonna’s Community Medical Transportation program provided more than 16,000 trips last year to disabled, elderly and low-income individuals seeking accessible transportation to non-emergency medical appointments, such as doctor visits, dialysis, diagnostic testing, chemotherapy and surgical procedures.

Along with being 90 percent quieter than diesel engines, the natural gas vans produce approximately 30 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, according to Natural Gas Vehicles for America. More NGV information is available at www.blackhillsenergy.com/ngv.

For more information on Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital visit www.madonna.org.