Friday, October 19, 2007

World’s Largest Community Propane Distribution System Planned by HBH Gas Systems and Ferrellgas at Coyote Springs, NV

A Community Propane Distribution System to fuel a 160,000-home master planned development to be built in Coyote Springs, Nevada, has just been announced by HBH Gas Systems and Ferrellgas.

From September 25, 2007 --

HBH Gas Systems and Ferrellgas announced today their newest project: a Community Propane Distribution System serving a 160,000-home master planned development located in Coyote Springs, Nevada, 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Billed as the largest new city in North America, the development will feature its own businesses, schools, parks and town centers. HBH Gas Systems and nationwide propane distributor Ferrellgas have agreed to material transaction terms to design, engineer, construct and supply gas to Coyote Springs. When completed, this project will stand as the world’s largest Community Propane Distribution System.

Community Propane Distribution Systems provide developments located off the natural gas grid with clean-burning, economical propane from a single, centralized tank. These systems are highly economical, saving homeowners approximately 50% on their heating bills when compared to electric heating. HBH Gas Systems will oversee the design and implementation of the system at Coyote Springs, while Ferrellgas will own and operate the system. Together, Ferrellgas and HBH Gas Systems will make all necessary provisions for permanent underground metered propane gas service for this sustainable and environmentally-responsible community.

"HBH and Ferrellgas are proud to have been selected for this landmark system," says Harris Baker, President of HBH Gas Systems. "We look forward to providing the people of Coyote Springs with the same quality service we provide every community fueled by one of our systems."

Extending pipelines to bring natural gas to Coyote Springs would have cost between $40 million and $70 million. Faced with such a massive line extension cost, the developers turned to HBH Gas Systems and Ferrellgas for a solution. This Community Propane Distribution System will provide economical, domestically produced propane to each individual home, which will be metered, billed, and consumed in a manner virtually identical to natural gas.

Coyote Springs Land Company LLC and Pardee Homes of Nevada are developing the first phases of Coyote Springs. The HBH Gas System at Coyote Springs allows the developers working off of the natural gas grid to offer the many benefits of dual-fuels to homeowners.
Regarding the project, Baker said, "The entire team is proud to be a part of a responsible, cutting-edge energy solution for this environmentally sensitive new town. Coyote Springs will grow into a significant city offering new residents and businesses an incomparable quality of life based on the most economical and efficient balanced-energy home."

Homeowners in the Coyote Springs community will have the peace-of-mind associated with using an alternative green fuel as classified by the Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act. In fact, one home fueled with propane from an HBH Gas System instead of electricity effectively offsets the average carbon emissions from one vehicle. At an estimated final buildout of 160,000 homes, the amount of carbon emissions effectively offset by Coyote Springs will be enormous. Additionally, over 13,000 acres of the community will be dedicated green space. The developer has been recognized for its efforts in meeting strict environmental standards and Coyote Springs has been praised as a model of environmentally-sound land use.

The Community Propane Distribution System at Coyote Springs will allow for the use of high-efficiency propane appliances in lieu of low-efficiency, grid-hogging electric appliances. Most homeowners prefer using gas appliances because gas ranges heat more evenly, gas water heaters recover twice as fast as electric ones, and gas furnaces are more comfortable because they produce warmer air than an electric heat pump. In addition to the proven advantages of gas energy over electric, Community Propane Distribution Systems provide immeasurable benefits to the community at large. Homes that utilize dual fuels are more comfortable and obtain higher appraisals than all-electric homes.

Coyote Springs is the product of more than a decade of study and planning. At nearly 43,000 acres, Coyote Springs covers almost twice as much space as the next-largest development in a state famous for outsized building projects. Over the next three decades the developer plans to build a community that will eventually include 240,000 residents, more than 160,000 homes, eight or more golf courses, and a full complement of retail, commercial, and service facilities. Straddling Clark and Lincoln Counties, this project is extremely important for the Nevada state economy. When finished, Coyote Springs will bring nearly a half-million jobs to one of the fastest growing regions in America. The first golf course is nearing completion and home sales on the first 680 lots will start in Spring of 2008.

The Community Propane Distribution System from HBH Gas Systems and Ferrellgas will make Coyote Springs a cleaner and more comfortable community. As the world's largest system, it will stand as a testament to the developers’ and builders’ commitment to the economic, social, and environmental principles of sustainable development.

HBH Gas Systems specializes in the marketing, design, and implementation of fully-engineered Central Gas Distribution Systems nationwide. To obtain more information about this project or HBH Gas Systems, visit www.hbhsystems.com or contact Harris Baker at 512-306-0073 or info @ hbhsystems.com.

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. is a Fortune 1000 company and, through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., serves more than one million customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. More information about the company can be found online at http://www.ferrellgas.com/.

Coyote Springs Investment, LLC is an affiliate of the Wingfield Nevada Group, a real estate investment, development and operating company renowned for its environmental sensitivity, architectural excellence and construction quality. CSI has fashioned successful projects throughout Nevada including Wingfield Spring, the Resort at Red Hawk, and the Foothills at Wingfield Springs, in addition to Coyote Springs. With its significant land and water holdings, The Wingfield Nevada Group is one of the largest private landowners and land development companies in the state. To obtain more information about the Coyote Springs community, visit http://www.coyotesprings.com/ or contact Doug Carriger at 702-382-2818.

Pardee Homes, the master residential builder for the community, is a proven pioneer of environmental stewardship. Their commitment to harmony between home and environment is shown in their conservation initiatives. Pardee Homes has built homes and master planned communities for more than 30,000 families in southern Nevada since 1952. The company was named "America’s Best Builder in 2003" by Builder magazine and has been honored as "Energy Star Partner of the Year" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2003, 2004 and 2005.To obtain more information about Pardee Homes, visit http://www.pardeehomes.com/.