In the U.S. state of Florida, the City of Fort Myers’ Solid Waste Division has introduced 17 new environmentally-friendly solid waste vehicles fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG produces significantly less pollutants than diesel, making it one of the cleanest fuels for transportation.
“The City of Fort Myers has a goal to be recognized as a ‘green’ city. This is one more step in that direction,” said Saeed Kazemi, Public Works Director. “These new additions to the City’s Solid Waste Division demonstrate a promise to be environmentally responsible and to preserve the natural beauty of the City of Palms for future generations.”
The City entered into a service provider agreement with Trustar Energy LLC for the supply of CNG for city vehicles from a JJ Taylor Distributing station. The agreement was put in place in 2014 after the city first approved the purchase of 8 CNG refuse trucks on September 15, 2014. An additional 9 CNG refuse trucks were subsequently approved out of the city’s Year 2014-2015 Capital Improvement Budget.
The city’s Year 2015-2016 Capital Improvement Budget notes the availability of additional funds for capital improvements to the vehicle fleet due to the significant reduced cost of fuel. According to the City Manager’s budget recommendations, “Fleet operating expenses decrease by $378,300 due to lower projected fuel prices – the fuel budget provides for averages prices of $2.75 and $3.25 for gasoline and diesel fuel, respectively and also adds CNG for some of the solid waste trucks, at $2.00 per gallon.”
(Source: City of Fort Myers)
