John Ray & Sons Breaks Ground For New Bulk Fuel Terminal

Posted on: Friday, June 12, 2009

Keywords: wilton, saratoga springs, glens falls, lake george, heating oil, propane, diesel, biodiesel, bulk fuel

TROY, NY.-- John Ray & Sons today broke ground for a new Saratoga County bulk fuel terminal located on 2.25 acres on Blue Lupine Lane in Wilton.

“Since 1904, we have made it our mission to give our customers quality products and the ultimate in service,” said President Ken Ray, the third generation to run the Troy-based company.

“With this new facility, we’ll be able to respond more quickly and shorten delivery times to customers in our northern service area. We’ll also be able to have our trucks log fewer miles and haul less weight, thereby decreasing our carbon footprint. Our entire fleet runs on biodiesel fuel – another component of our green initiatives. And, we are looking forward to passing along cost-savings to our customers as a result of these efforts,” Mr. Ray said.

“We also anticipate adding more company employees to accommodate future growth,” Mr. Ray added.

• Two 30-000-gallon propane tanks
• One 30,000-gallon gasoline tank
• One 30,000-gallon heating oil tank
• One 20-000-gallon off-road diesel tank
• One 20,000-gallon on-road diesel tank
• Warehouse and office facility

John Ray also has incorporated environmental safeguards into the facility.

“All the gasoline, heating oil and diesel tanks are in-ground,” Mr. Ray said, adding: “These are double-walled tanks with cathodic protection. What this means is that the static electricity in the ground will be absorbed by a ‘sacrificial anode’ to protect the tanks from rusting.”

The propane will be held in gravel-bermed tanks because the fuel must be pumped at ground level.

Within the parcel on Blue Lupine Lane there are wild Blue Lupines, the only food for the Karner Blue butterfly's caterpillar. “This section of the land,” Mr. Ray said, “will remain forever wild so that the Karner Blue can thrive.”

At the groundbreaking, Senator Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga) said, “John Ray & Sons is a real part of the community. They’re a wonderful company and have been a tremendous corporate citizen for over 100 years.”

Assemblyman Tony Jordan (R-Jackson) said, “To have John Ray & Sons as a north country neighbor is significant to our communities and a tremendous help – especially to our farmers – who can rely on them for delivery of needed fuels for their tractors and other equipment.”

Project partners to date are:

• The LA Group, a design firm that provides environmental analysis, land planning and civil engineering.
• Clark Environmental Management and Technical Services, a company providing regulatory compliance, mechanical engineering and environmental management.

This is the John Ray's second bulk fuel terminal. The first, located on the John Ray complex on Sixth Avenue in Troy, opened in January 2008. It has a 30,000-gallon propane tank, an on-site fueling station and storage facility.

ABOUT JOHN RAY & SONS
Established in 1904 in Troy as an ice delivery service, John Ray & Sons has evolved through the years as times have changed – delivering ice, coal, wood, kerosene, diesel fuel, heating oil, propane, biodiesel, and bioheat fuel to residential and commercial customers throughout the Capital Region.

Started as a small family business, the company now employs over 60 people and has a fleet of over 45 vehicles. John Ray & Sons provides sales, installation and service to a nine-county territory including Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.

Known for its service and innovative products, the company offers:

• Reliable delivery of fuel oil and propane
• 24-hour emergency service
• Bioheating oil and biodiesel fuel
• Heating and cooling system installation
• Custom-designed home comfort systems
• Propane tank installation/set-up and monitoring
• Propane fill stations
• Captain's Choice® Marine Gasoline
• PitStop-branded stations offering gasoline, on-and off-road diesel and kerosene

To learn more about John Ray & Sons, visit the company's web site at www.johnray.com or call 518.272.4432.

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