Republic Services, Phoenix, unveiled its latest compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station. The new fueling station is designed to support the recent addition of 56 new CNG-powered collection trucks that serve customers throughout greater Long Beach, California. The additional CNG trucks have replaced older diesel-powered trucks, and bring the total number of alternative fuel vehicles operated by Republic Services of Long Beach to 147.

"Everything we do is for our customers," says Heath Eddleblute, area president of Republic Services. "Our growing fleet of alternative fuel vehicles in Long Beach enables us to offer cleaner and quieter operations. It also embodies our commitment, as one of the largest vocational fleet operators in the country, to doing our part to reduce carbon emissions whenever possible."

The new fueling station is Republic's second alternative fuels facility in Long Beach. Republic has been committed to introducing alternative fuel vehicles into its Long Beach fleet since 2008.

"Republic's CNG program is a perfect fit with our Sustainable City Action Plan," says Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. "Climate change is indeed real and we must adapt the way we produce and use energy, supporting transportation that is not reliant on fossil fuels and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Republic is a leader in sustainability, and I commend them for developing this CNG facility here in Long Beach, which will further aid in the continued conversion of their fleet to natural gas."

Republic partnered with Clean Energy on this new fueling station project. More than 75 percent of Republic's fleet of 191 collection trucks in Long Beach is now powered by this clean, domestic fuel source.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), each new CNG collection truck deployed is equivalent to planting over 600 mature trees each year. Based on EPA calculations, the carbon emissions reduction benefits from Republic's alternative fuel-powered fleet in Long Beach is equivalent to planting more than 88,200 mature trees.

Nationwide, Republic operates a fleet of nearly 2,500 CNG-powered vehicles that are supported by 38 natural gas fueling stations. Last year, the company says, Republic's CNG fleet helped save roughly 21 million gallons of diesel fuel. Based on EPA calculations, the benefits of Republic's CNG-powered fleet are equal to planting approximately 10.7 million trees annually.