Clean Cities Success Story

New CNG Powered Garbage Trucks Hit the Streets

Monday, January 8, 2007 at 6:40 AM
Town of Smithtown

Twenty-two new compressed natural gas (CNG) garbage collection vehicles hit the streets in Smithtown on January 2, 2007. The Town of Smithtown is the first municipality in New York State to require contracted garbage carters to use only vehicles that run on compressed natural gas. According to Town Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio, “This move will save the town money, the new trucks will be better for the environment and reduce dependence on foreign oil.” The Town’s move to replace the older diesel-fueled garbage trucks has been praised by local environmentalists. The old diesel trucks output extremely high levels of air pollutants. The new CNG fueled trucks will also be much quieter.

The New York State Office of General Services recently completed an upgrade to the Compressed Natural Gas fueling station adjacent to the Perry S. Duryea, Jr. State Office Building on Veterans Highway in Hauppauge, NY. The station's upgrade expands CNG dispensing capabilities to approximately 1,000 gallons/hour and adds two additional dual-hose dispensers. These upgrades make the facility the largest publicly accessible CNG fueling station on the East coast.

Watch a video on this story at the U.S. Department of Energy's website