Feb. 14, 2013

Yesterday, Mayor Greg Stanton, Vice Mayor Bill Gates and other community leaders unveiled Phoenix’s new compressed natural gas (CNG) solid waste trucks and newly enhanced slow-fill fueling station at Okemah Service Center.  The city’s Public Works Department currently operates six CNG solid waste trucks and within two months, 20 percent of its fleet of solid waste trucks will be CNG vehicles, making Phoenix’s CNG fleet the largest in the state.  By the summer of 2014, that percentage will increase to 30 percent, with a goal to increase numbers by 10 to 15 percent every year.  

Compressed natural gas is an alternative fuel that provides a steady, lower cost per gallon – $1.50 per gallon equivalent compared to diesel fuel, which can run up to $3.50 per gallon or higher.

“Once our fleet is fully converted to CNG, the city will save almost $2 million annually,” said Mayor Stanton.  “Lower fuel prices help minimize future fee increases for weekly trash and recycling collection, which have not been raised since March 2009.”  

Besides the financial impact to the city, using CNG brings improved regional air quality and energy security.  By switching to CNG, Phoenix is reducing its carbon footprint by nearly 78,000 pounds per truck annually.  Also, CNG, or natural gas, is manufactured in the United States and reduces dependence on foreign oil supplies.

Phoenix’s Alternative Fuels Program is one of the largest in the country with nearly 3,600 vehicles or 56 percent operating on alternative/clean fuels.  

"This is another example of our city staff looking at every opportunity to save taxpayer dollars, and at the same time helping to advance our sustainability mission," said Vice Mayor Bill Gates.  "One CNG garbage truck in place of a diesel truck is achieving the air quality equivalent of removing 325 cars off the road.  This program will protect taxpayers and our environment for years to come."  

For more information on the city’s sustainable initiatives, visit phoenix.gov or call the Public Works Department at 602-262-7251.

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