Date: May 22, 2012
Source: Waste Industries USA, Inc.
Waste Industries USA (Raleigh, NC) recently opened an $8 million compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station for its Durham-based fleet that includes 19 trucks and one service vehicle which run on CNG. The gas will be supplied by Gastonia, NC-based PSNC Energy. The operation is expected to save more than 38 tons of greenhouse gases within the first year of operation. "As part of our annual review of our carbon footprint and sustainability in 2011, we concluded that CNG had become a viable long-term, low-cost alternative to diesel fuel. We committed to begin conversion to CNG and decided to start with one of our largest branches," said company CEO Ven Poole. "This will be one of several conversions we will complete in the coming years."
PRESS RELEASE
May 22, 2012
Blue Flame, Blue Skies: Launch of Compressed Natural Gas Station for Refuse Trucks Means Cleaner Air
Waste Industries USA, Inc. Converts Durham Fleet to Compressed Natural Gas
Waste Industries USA, Inc. (WI), a leading solid waste services company headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. since 1970, launched the largest, privately held compressed natural gas (CNG) station in Durham at 10:30 a.m. today. The new station means that WI will be operating the largest fleet of waste trucks running on this energy gas in North Carolina. CNG burns cleaner than diesel fuel, significantly reducing carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, the station is expected to save more than 38 tons of greenhouse gases within the first year of operation.
The grand opening of the CNG station was held at WI's Durham Branch, where WI leadership, its industry partners and local dignitaries symbolized the launch with the turning of a large gas valve. WI's Durham Branch is home to 31 CNG filling points where 19 trucks and one service vehicle will operate using CNG, servicing approximately 39,000 homes and businesses across the Triangle.
"For 42 years, Waste Industries has been a leader in the solid waste services industry," says Ven Poole, Chief Executive Officer, WI. "As part of our annual review of our carbon footprint and sustainability in 2011, we concluded that CNG had become a viable long-term, low-cost alternative to diesel fuel. We committed to begin conversion to CNG and decided to start with one of our largest branches. This will be one of several conversions we will complete in the coming years. We are proud of our employees' and business partners' efforts to make this happen, and we look forward to continuing our 42-year commitment to improving the environment and the quality of life in our communities for years to come."
The WI project is the result of a partnership of services provided by Mansfield Energy (ME) and PSNC Energy. ME provided the construction design, engineering and project management services for the installation of the fueling station. PSNC will provide WI with reliable natural gas service as well as the related infrastructure necessary to operate the Durham CNG fleet.
"As the natural gas utility serving the Triangle, PSNC Energy is proud to partner with Waste Industries," says Jerry O'Keeffe, PSNC Energy. "Waste Industries' customers will benefit from cleaner air, pricing stability, and quieter operations on trash pick-up days. The company is an excellent example of the partnerships PSNC Energy seeks to develop - projects that benefit the business, the community and the environment."
Mansfield has also been a partner of WI, supporting their traditional fuel product sites. "We're excited to add our CNG expertise to our Waste Industries relationship," says J. Alexander, President, Mansfield Energy. "As a company, Mansfield is working to expand its CNG infrastructure in North America to ensure that companies like Waste Industries have access to cleaner-burning, domestic natural gas for their fleets."
Durham's CNG station is part of WI's long-term strategy to reduce the company's carbon footprint and follows on the heels of the launch of the largest landfill-gas-to-energy site in the state (Black Creek Renewable Energy Project) launched in May of 2011.
About Waste Industries USA, Inc.: Founded in 1970, Waste Industries USA, Inc. provides solid waste services that protect the environment to commercial, governmental, industrial, municipal and residential customers. The company delivers sustainable, fiscally-responsible and environmental-friendly solutions to the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Delaware and Georgia. Waste Industries has been named by Forbes Magazine as one of the "200 Best Small Companies in America." Visit www.wasteindustries.com for additional information. HIGHER STANDARDS. LOWER IMPACT.®
About Mansfield Energy: Ranked as one of the Top 50 privately held companies in America by Forbes and a multiple category finalist in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Platts Global Energy Awards, Mansfield defines the next generation transportation fuels company. Founded in 1957, the company has achieved double-digit growth for three decades by focusing on optimizing and controlling fuel-related costs for its customers using innovation, technology and high touch service. Mansfield Gas Equipment Systems (MGES) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mansfield Oil Company. For more information, visit www.mansfieldoil.com or www.mansfieldgasequipment.com.
About PSNC Energy: Headquartered in Gastonia, N.C., PSNC Energy is a regulated public utility that purchases, transports, sells and distributes natural gas to a 28-county service area in North Carolina. The company currently serves nearly 490,000 customers located throughout the state, including the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area, the Concord, Gastonia and Statesville area and the Asheville, Hendersonville and Brevard area. More information about PSNC Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of SCANA Corporation (NYSE: SCG), is available at psncenergy.com.
For more information, contact:
Megan E. Henderson
Looking Glass Communications, Inc.
megan@lookingglassnc.com.
919.389.2615
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