Franklin, U.S.A. - As National Tire Safety Week kicks-off across the country, Nissan confirmed plans to make the “Easy-Fill Tire Alert” system available on all future models it brings to market beginning in 2013. This safety feature, which also bolsters fuel economy, is one of the automaker’s latest innovations. It currently comes standard on all 2013 Nissan Altima, 2012 Nissan LEAF and 2012 Nissan Quest models, with standard or optional availability on more products to follow later this year as the automaker continues it launch of five all-new models in the next 15 months.

The “Easy-Fill Tire Alert” system is an all-new control module currently being phased into vehicle redesigns like the all-new 2013 Nissan Altima. First, the vehicle’s tire-pressure warning system alerts a driver to a low tire; and on some models displays the current pressure and tire or tires that require attention on the dashboard display.

When alerted, drivers should stop at the nearest gas station to fill the tire with an available air hose. Once air begins flowing into the tire, the vehicle’s four-way flashers come on to confirm the process has started. When the tire hits the appropriate pressure level, the horn then chirps to let drivers know the tire has been properly inflated. If the driver continues to fill the tire with air, the horn honks more aggressively and the tire deflates to the appropriate operating level.

“Nissan’s ‘Easy-Fill Tire Alert’ system is straight forward and eliminates the need to keep a tire gauge in your vehicle’s glove compartment,” said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. “By making this unique Nissan innovation available on all our future products, the guessing and the gauge vanish for our customers.”

A recently released federal study shows driving on under-inflated tires triples the risk of an accident, and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, drivers can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure. Additionally, auto care professionals say that from one tire gauge to another there can be a three or four pound difference in air pressure readings, further indicating the need for an easy-to-use technology like the “Easy-Fill Tire Alert” to assist vehicle owners in maintaining proper tire pressure.

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The Gas Company (TGC), Hawaii’s clean gas energy provider, is now producing renewable natural gas (RNG) for Hawaii. The Gas Company is transforming non-food-grade oils and fats into clean, reliable gas and biofuels at its renewable natural gas pilot plant in West Oahu.

The renewable natural gas plant is capable of processing up to one million gallons of feedstock per year, and it is designed to allow for expansion to accommodate increasing demand and feedstock supply availability. The facility was designed in association with Primoris Renewables, a leading innovator in renewable energy technology, and is located on the premises of TGC’s synthetic natural gas (SNG) manufacturing plant in Oahu’s Campbell Industrial Park.

The Hawaii Renewable Energy Development Venture, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, awarded a $1 million grant to The Gas Company to support the RNG plant demonstration. No tax credit or further taxpayer support is required for the project. ”The production of renewable natural gas is a major milestone that will allow us to provide sustainable energy from local agricultural products that were previously discarded or shipped out of state,” said TGC’s president and CEO, Jeffrey Kissel.

The Gas Company is working with companies in Hawaii to purchase locally produced, sustainable non-food-grade oils and fats for the production of renewable natural gas. Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie participated in today’s dedication of the RNG plant.

“Hawaii’s clean energy industry is becoming a test bed for clean technologies because of our rich portfolio of renewable energy sources and strong partnerships,” he said. “Our state government has put in place the most aggressive clean energy policy in the nation, and The Gas Company’s renewable natural gas pilot plant is a prime example of how Hawaii is investing in itself rather than exporting its dollars elsewhere.”

Because Hawaii relies on imported petroleum for approximately 90 percent of its energy – more than twice as much as any other state – Hawaii’s state government launched the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative in 2008, calling for 70 percent clean energy by 2030. The Gas Company is working toward producing half of its gas from renewable and sustainable sources.

The new facility transforms fats and oils in a process that uses the heat from its existing gas production facilities, surplus hydrogen, and steam to produce renewable natural gas and biofuels.

The renewable natural gas and biofuels that the RNG pilot plant produces will be incorporated into The Gas Company’s existing manufacturing and distribution operations. Renewable natural gas will displace gas produced from petroleum and will be distributed through The Gas Company’s 1,100-mile Oahu pipeline network. The cost for renewable natural gas should be the same as, or less, than gas produced from current sources without relying on taxpayer subsidy.

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