Natural gas is nothing new. In fact, natural gas, a fossil fuel consisting largely of methane and other hydrocarbons, has been trapped below the Earth’s surface in porous rocks for thousands of years.

Drilling for gas throughout Pennsylvania is quickly becoming popular. As a result of the drilling phenomenon, a flurry of new compressed natural gas stations is in the works. In southwestern Pennsylvania, the development of a number of CNG refueling stations is happening on a daily basis.

As of now, filling up CNG-powered vehicles isn’t all that easy, as finding a location to fill up is rather difficult.

American Natural Energy Centre, EQT Corporation, and GetGo are all operation refueling stations downtown. Waste Management also has a station planted in Washington County. As more and more refueling stations are popping up, GetGo, in addition to its existing refueling station in downtown Pittsburgh, recently opened a station in Cranberry.

The pace at which CNG stations are being built is on track to double within the next couple of months.

At the forefront of this rapid expansion are two companies that are working together in hopes of capturing the American fuel independence promise. Coming out of the woodwork is Shale Hotels Inc. and “O” Ring CNG Fuel Systems LP. Collectively, the two companies have formed a partnership and are constructing a station in Bentleyville, Washington County.

Washington, Pa.-based Shale Hotels Inc. operates a Best Western and Holiday Inn Express where boot-washers can be found on the perimeter of the building. As Shale Hotels Inc. associates themselves with the Marcellus Shale industry, Tejas Gosai, owner and president of the company, stresses that a lot of companies in the industry are converting their fleets to run on CNG.

Why not? If companies in the industry are already involved in the drilling process, then converting to CNG-powered vehicles will slash expenses. Mr. Gosai is also owner and founder of Shale Media Group, a news, information, education, and mapping resource dedicated to the shale, oil and gas industries by messaging across video, internet, publications, events and radio.

Mr. Gosai said, “The idea of Shale Hotels and Shale Media Group was hatched in 2009. I came public with the companies in 2011.” Mr. Gosai obtained his Juris Doctor from Pennsylvania State University and passed the PA and NJ bar exams. As he made his transformation into a shale businessman, he was excited about the opportunities throughout the natural gas industry.

Developing a refueling station from the ground up isn’t all that easy. Mr. Gosai is in the works of perfecting the method of developing stations, as he partners up with “O” Ring CNG Fuel Systems LP.

“I’m the land developer from square one,” Mr. Gosai said. “Bob Beatty [founder of  “O” Ring CNG Fuel Systems LP] purchases equipment from vendors so the compressors can be arranged for the refueling station.  Once all necessary permits are received, Peoples Gas installs the service line, gas meter, and any additional pipeline construction necessary to serve the CNG station. The service line connects to compressors arranged on a portable trailer. The compressors will then connect to the refueling pumps, in which the customer will be able to swipe their card to fill up.”

Mr. Gosai is looking to secure land at Southpointe. “I’ve been trying to land in Southpointe for over two years, but finding land there has been difficult and it’s a bit pricey,” Mr. Gosai said.

Other potential sites would be north and south of Southpointe on I-79. Mr. Gosai is also looking at a potential site along the I-70, I-79 corridor.

Mr. Gosai said, “When one refueling station is up and running, it’ll be a lot easier to get financing for these projects.”

Mr. Gosai highlighted that awareness is key. Being educated about the industry is the final piece to the puzzle.

Beth De Maagd, Executive Director of The Shale Academy, an energy youth education program that is operated by Shale Media Group, is zealous about enlightening students in the Pittsburgh region.

De Maagd said, “As the Executive Director of The Shale Academy.com, I am conveying the importance of CNG as an abundant, clean energy source and that natural gas production increases economic development and provides numerous career choices.”

Creating educational programs is what The Shale Academy is all about.

She continued: “Our educational programs combine communication, education and career development tools to teach all aspects of energy based on the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) framework. We, as Americans, have a personal obligation to our youth to provide fact-based information on energy and CNG.  By providing up to date accurate information with creativity and passion, students are excited and curious to learn.”

As refueling stations are making an impact throughout the area, Mr. Gosai uses a nifty analogy to explain the overall infrastructure:

“The chicken’s being created from the eggs.”