We were the first local news outlet to report Waste Management’s plans. Look for additional coverage of this new fueling facility as construction reaches completion.
Waste Management officials said Wednesday the company will build a $2.7 million private compressed natural gas fueling facility at its Fairborn location as it begins to convert its fleet of trucks that service the Dayton area.
The 4,750-square-foot facility at 1700 N. Broad St. will be constructed for Waste Management’s second fleet of compressed natural gas trucks in Ohio. The other in Canal Winchester opened last year to service the Columbus area, where 30 of the 53 trucks are CNG trucks.
Construction is expected to begin in August and be completed in November, when the company expects 33 new CNG trucks to arrive, according to Waste Management spokeswoman Beth Schmucker.
The transition of the rest of the 96-truck fleet to CNG will occur over the next couple years and will cost Waste Management $310,000 per truck. There will be 40 fueling hoses connected to the compressor.
“This demonstrates our commitment to being a positive environmental contributor to the communities we serve,” said James Profitt, Senior District Manager for Waste Management of Ohio, in a release. “The transitioning of our 96 trucks to CNG fits within our sustainability goals and our company’s overall strategy to minimize our environmental footprint.”
Waste Management said the trucks will emit nearly zero air particulates and up to 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The engines also run quieter than traditional diesel engines.
Natural gas currently costs $1.50 to $2 less per gasoline gallon equivalent, according to Natural Gas Vehicles for America.
“It’s simply more cost effective for them, and from a city perspective, if it makes them more economically viable in the city, we’re for it,” said Chris Wimsatt, Fairborn’s economic development director.
Waste Management has a total of 160 employees at its Fairborn/Dayton site. Nationwide, Waste Management has 50 CNG fueling stations and nearly 2,000 CNG trucks, Schmucker said.
The United States ranks 17th in the world with about 120,000 natural gas vehicles and 1,000 refueling stations, half of which are private, according to Natural Gas Vehicles for America.
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