OSU and Love's Alternative Energy Bring RNG to

Oklahoma State University has signed a 10-year deal with Love's Alternative Energy to fuel its 27-bus campus fleet with renewable natural gas. Effective May 28, 2026, the Stillwater, Oklahoma university moves from conventional compressed natural gas to RNG, a cleaner fuel captured from organic waste. The shift also unlocks federal carbon credits that generate direct revenue for the university.

Key Facts

10-year partnership between Oklahoma State University and Love's Alternative Energy, effective May 28, 2026
27 transit buses serve the OSU Stillwater campus and surrounding community
The CNG fueling station handles approximately 150,000 Diesel Gallon Equivalents (DGE) of fuel per year
OSU has operated a CNG-fueled bus fleet since 2009
Love's Alternative Energy operates 107 CNG locations across the U.S. and Canada, all supplied with 100% RNG
According to the California Air Resources Board, RNG in transportation achieved a carbon intensity of -194.13 gCO2e/MJ in 2024, the lowest of any fuel in California's LCFS program
OSU will earn Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) under the EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard program
RIN values for biomass-based fuels doubled since the start of 2026, driven by higher federal blending mandates, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration

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What Is the OSU and Love's Alternative Energy Partnership?

Oklahoma State University has announced a 10-year agreement with Love's Alternative Energy, a division of Love's Travel Stops, to operate, maintain, and supply renewable natural gas to OSU's compressed natural gas bus fueling station in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The contract took effect May 28, 2026.

"Our partnership with Love's represents a major step forward in continuing to provide clean, reliable transportation for our community. By investing in our CNG infrastructure for our transit fleet, we're not only reducing emissions and operating costs, but also demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices benefiting Oklahoma State University and the community for years to come."

Steve Spradling, Director of Parking and Transportation Services, Oklahoma State University

Under the deal, Love's Alternative Energy replaces aging compressor equipment at OSU's station and assumes full operations and maintenance responsibilities. The station, located at the corner of Western and Lakeview roads, processes approximately 150,000 Diesel Gallon Equivalents (DGE) of fuel per year. OSU has operated a CNG bus fleet since 2009, making this an upgrade in fuel rather than a full technology pivot.

The 27 buses in OSU's fleet serve students, staff, and community members across the broader Stillwater area, not just the campus. That community reach makes the emissions improvement from this partnership extend well beyond university grounds.

modern transit bus refueling at a renewable natural gas station

How Does RNG Differ from Conventional CNG?

RNG and conventional CNG use the same buses, the same engines, and the same station infrastructure. The difference is in the source. Conventional CNG comes from fossil fuel extraction. RNG is captured methane from organic waste, such as landfills, agricultural byproducts, and wastewater treatment plants. According to the U.S. EPA, methane carries a global warming potential at least 28 times greater than carbon dioxide, so capturing it before it escapes both prevents a potent emission and produces usable fuel.

The lifecycle emissions advantage is measurable and verified. According to the California Air Resources Board, RNG used in transportation in 2024 achieved an average carbon intensity of -194.13 gCO2e/MJ under California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard. That's the lowest figure of any transportation fuel in the LCFS program, and the only one producing a negative carbon intensity outcome. It removed more carbon than it emitted.

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What Makes This Deal Financially Smart for OSU?

By switching to RNG, OSU qualifies for the EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard program. The university will earn Renewable Identification Numbers, known as RINs, which are tradeable credits generated when qualifying renewable fuels are used. Those RINs can be sold to petroleum refiners and fuel importers who need them to meet federal blending obligations. OSU gets compensated for choosing the greener fuel.

The RIN market is strong right now. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, RIN values for biomass-based fuels have doubled since the start of 2026. That increase is driven by higher annual blending mandates under the EPA's final RFS rule for 2026 and 2027, announced March 27, 2026. As of June 4, 2026, biomass-based diesel RINs were trading at $2.41 and ethanol RINs at $2.37, both near their all-time highs set in 2021.

Who Is Love's Alternative Energy?

Love's Alternative Energy is a division of Love's Travel Stops, the Oklahoma City-based, family-owned chain with more than 670 travel stops across 42 U.S. states. The division was formerly known as Trillium Energy Solutions, with more than 30 years of experience in CNG fueling infrastructure. It rebranded to Love's Alternative Energy at ACT Expo in April 2025 in Anaheim, California.

The company now operates 107 CNG locations across the U.S. and Canada. Every U.S. station in that network is supplied with 100% renewable natural gas. In early 2025, Love's expanded its network by acquiring more than 40 CNG stations across 15 states from U.S. Energy. Beyond transit, the company serves refuse operators and long-haul trucking fleets, and offers EV charging and hydrogen fueling at select locations.

"We're proud to partner with Oklahoma State University to support cleaner, more accessible transportation for students and surrounding communities. Investments like this in CNG infrastructure are key to building a more sustainable future."

Marc Rowe, Director of Sales, Love's Alternative Energy

How Does RNG-Fueled Transit Compare to Other Clean Fuel Options?

Electric buses get most of the clean transit headlines, but RNG-powered CNG buses offer an immediately deployable alternative. For fleets already running on CNG, RNG is a fuel supply change, not a capital project. No new buses. No charging infrastructure. No major upfront cost beyond the supply contract itself.

Fuel Type	Infrastructure Change for Existing CNG Fleets	Lifecycle GHG Outcome	RFS Revenue Credits
Conventional Diesel	None	Baseline	No
Conventional CNG	Station and fleet investment required	20-30% CO2 reduction vs. diesel (ScienceDirect, 2024)	No
RNG via existing CNG infrastructure	Fuel supply change only	70%-300% net GHG reduction vs. diesel (CARB); carbon-negative in CA LCFS 2024	Yes, RINs under EPA RFS
Battery Electric Bus	New buses and full charging infrastructure required	33-65% GHG reduction vs. diesel, grid-dependent (Carnegie Mellon, 2024)	Varies by program

The RNG-via-CNG pathway also has a proven track record at much larger scale. In 2020, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority contracted Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to supply RNG to its 800 natural gas transit buses. That multi-year agreement, covering an estimated 25 million gallons annually, is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,351 metric tons per year, the equivalent of removing 5,477 gasoline cars from the road, according to Clean Energy Fuels Corp.

Love's Alternative Energy highlights its renewable natural gas (RNG) fueling solutions for fleets, showcasing how this ultra-low carbon fuel—captured from organic waste—powers compressed natural gas vehicles like transit buses with proven environmental and operational benefits.

What's the Broader Picture for RNG Transit in North America?

Clean Energy Fuels Corp., the country's largest RNG fuel provider for transportation, signed new RNG supply agreements in early 2025 with transit agencies in Michigan, Texas, and Alabama. Those deals cover public buses, refuse trucks, and other fleet vehicles across multiple states.

Love's Alternative Energy is expanding on a parallel track. Its 107 North American CNG stations are all supplied with 100% renewable natural gas. According to the Transport Project's 2024 RNG Volumes report, RNG accounted for 99% of all on-road fuel used in natural gas vehicles in California in 2024. The OSU partnership in Oklahoma shows this model is extending into new markets nationwide.

Milestone	Year	Entity
OSU adopts CNG for campus bus fleet	2009	Oklahoma State University
New York MTA contracts for 800-bus RNG supply, 25M gallons annually	2020	Clean Energy Fuels Corp. / MTA
Trillium rebrands to Love's Alternative Energy at ACT Expo	2025	Love's Travel Stops
Love's acquires 40+ CNG stations across 15 states; network reaches 107 locations	2025	Love's Alternative Energy
EPA sets higher 2026-2027 RVOs; RIN values for biomass-based fuels double	2026	U.S. EPA / U.S. EIA
OSU signs 10-year RNG partnership with Love's Alternative Energy	2026	Oklahoma State University / Love's Alternative Energy

A Practical Model Worth Watching

The OSU and Love's Alternative Energy partnership is clean and replicable. An existing CNG fleet, an experienced RNG infrastructure operator, a 10-year supply contract, and federal revenue credits built in from day one. That's a working decarbonization plan, not a pilot project.

RNG transit still gets far less attention than hydrogen buses or full fleet electrification. But the numbers are hard to argue with. OSU's 27 buses process approximately 150,000 Diesel Gallon Equivalents annually through an existing station. That same infrastructure now delivers a fuel that, according to the California Air Resources Board, achieved a carbon intensity of -194.13 gCO2e/MJ in 2024 and generated a negative emissions outcome across California's entire on-road natural gas vehicle fleet. Oklahoma is next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is renewable natural gas and where does it come from?

Renewable natural gas is methane captured from organic waste sources including landfills, agricultural byproducts, and wastewater treatment facilities. The U.S. EPA notes that methane carries a global warming potential at least 28 times greater than CO2, so capturing it before it escapes both prevents a potent emission and produces usable fuel. RNG is chemically identical to conventional natural gas and uses the same pipelines, compressors, and bus engines, meaning no new infrastructure is needed for fleets already running on CNG.

Is RNG a practical decarbonization option for transit agencies?

For agencies already running CNG fleets, switching to RNG is one of the most cost-effective decarbonization moves available. It requires no new buses, no charging infrastructure, and no major capital outlay beyond the fuel contract. According to the California Air Resources Board, RNG in transportation achieved a carbon intensity of -194.13 gCO2e/MJ in 2024, making it the lowest-carbon transport fuel in California's LCFS program. Transit agencies also earn tradeable RIN credits under the EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard, turning the fuel purchase into a revenue-generating sustainability investment.

What are RINs and why do they matter for universities using RNG?

Renewable Identification Numbers are tradeable credits created under the EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard program. When an entity uses a qualifying renewable fuel like RNG, it generates RINs that can be sold to petroleum refiners and fuel importers who must meet federal blending obligations. For OSU, this means the 10-year RNG contract also generates an ongoing revenue stream. RIN values doubled since the start of 2026 due to higher federal blending mandates, according to the U.S. EIA, making the financial case for university RNG transit contracts stronger than it has been in years.

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OSU and Love's Alternative Energy Bring RNG to Stillwater Transit Buses