Waste Management Opens Public Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station in Washington

Waste Management of Western Pennsylvania celebrated the grand opening of its first public-access compressed natural gas fueling station in the City of Washington Thursday—and announced plans to convert its regional fleet to the alternative fuel.

State and local officials such as state , Sen. John Pippy and Chartiers Township Supervisor Harlan Shober attended.

The new Clean N’ Green Fuel public fueling station, to be operated by PetroCard, will sell CNG to commercial fleets as well as individuals with CNG-equipped vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates CNG reduces particulate matter emissions by 86 percent, carbon monoxide emissions by 80 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 32 percent, and greenhouse emissions by 25 percent. As an additional benefit, CNG trucks run 50 percent quieter than diesel trucks.

Waste Management of Western Pennsylvania recently acquired 25 CNG collection
trucks and expects to have 40 CNG vehicles in service by next year, representing
nearly half its Washington-based fleet and covering routes in Washington, Greene and Allegheny counties. Deploying these vehicles will help Waste Management achieve its sustainability goal of reducing fleet emissions by 15 percent and increasing fuel efficiency by 15 percent by 2020.

The Department of Environmental Protection awarded Waste Management $700,000 in Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants for the project, which supports the development of the state’s natural gas and electric vehicle infrastructure and achieves emissions reductions.

“We are dedicated to doing business in the most sustainable way possible, while
providing our customers with outstanding service,” said Dave Balbierz, area vice
president for Waste Management of Western Pennsylvania. “Natural gas powered
vehicles run cleaner and quieter, and improve air quality. Our new CNG trucks will
reduce emissions equivalent to taking 3,500 gasoline-powered vehicles off the road.”

“CNG helps fleet owners save money and significantly reduce the emissions from their vehicles-two factors that are critical to today’s modern fleet operations,” said Steve Tolton, chief executive officer of PetroCard. “In collaboration with Waste Management, we’re making it easier than ever for fleets to reduce fuel costs and shrink their carbon footprint.”

The self-service station, located at 200 Rangos Lane in the City of Washington near Interstates 70 and 79, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will accept Visa/Mastercard, Wright Express as well as Clean N’ Green fleet cards.

Waste Management currently operates the largest fleet of CNG recycling and waste collection trucks in North America it said in a statement.

Reached Thursday night, Solobay said, "This is a great opportunity for the region from an economic standpoint, as well as an environmental standpoint."