“CNG is an environmentally friendly, alternative fuel that is ready and available today,” stated Steve Tolton, chief executive officer of PetroCard. “Our partnership with Waste Management has made it more convenient for fleets and consumers with CNG vehicles to reduce emissions and save money.”

There are presently over 120,000 CNG vehicles in the US and over eight million worldwide. In the US, a majority of those vehicles are government or business fleets. Locally, many municipalities, airport shuttles and taxis run fleet vehicles on CNG incorporating vehicles from the King County Government fleet and STITA airport taxis. The Honda Civic GX is presently the only consumer CNG vehicle on the American car market, however many standard engines can be transformed to use CNG.

The Clean N’ Green Fuel partnership started as a natural fit between Waste Management’s requirement to fill their CNG powered trucks and PetroCard’s expertise in offering self-service fueling stations. Given the growing interest in petroleum alternatives and the requirement for minimized emissions, PetroCard and Waste Management may look to replicate the joint venture in other parts of the region.

CNG is sold in the gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs), with each GGE having the same energy content as a gallon of gasoline. Vehicles using CNG usually have similar or better fuel economy ratings than the standard gasoline or diesel vehicles, and today CNG is about one-third lower in price. The Clean N’ Green Fuel station will sell CNG to business fleets, incorporating Waste Management, and also individuals with CNG equipped vehicles. Present pricing at the station is in the range of $1.70 to $1.80/GGE.

Recognized by many environmental groups as a viable alternative to petroleum based fuels, CNG produces 17-80% less Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions, 25% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and offers up to 85% reduction in toxic soot related with conventional diesel engines.

“Our agency supports the use of compressed natural gas vehicles as a strategy to reduce emissions and pollutants leading to improved air quality for our region,” stated Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. “This station is an important step to increase access to CNG, ultimately moving us towards a cleaner and healthier environment for residents of the Puget Sound area.”

Waste Management has 108 CNG trucks in their Seattle area fleet. These trucks will minimize company’s NOx by 97%, toxic diesel particulate matter by 94% and greenhouse gas by 20% over current levels. Additionally to using CNG trucks, the company is also committed to sustainability through programs like carbon sequestration, groundwater protection, and methane capture at landfills around the country.

“We are dedicated to doing business in the most sustainable way possible, while providing our customers the high level of waste management services they have grown accustomed to,” stated Dean Kattler, Waste Management’s vice president of the Pacific Northwest Area. “This station is a win-win for us, providing our trucks better access to a cleaner fuel and allowing others in the community to take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of CNG.”

Waste Management is a US-based provider of waste management services.