Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Solid Waste Services issued a press release stating that 100 “green” refuse and recycling collection trucks will be phased in over the course of the next two years. Powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), the County will not only reap the environmental benefits, but also financial . CNG costs 15% less than diesel fuel.  Twenty of the trucks have been in service since April 2010.  Bob Hoyt, director of the County’s Department of Environmental Protection stated:

“The new CNG refuse trucks meet the  stringent 2010 heavy duty diesel vehicle emission standards, producing far less smog forming compounds and particulate matter than the older diesel trash truck fleet.   Our new fleet of over 100 CNG powered collection trucks will go a long way to improve our air quality.”

Below are a list of environmental benefits from CNG usage:

• Reducing smog-causing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 80 percent;
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 10 to 15 percent;
• Reducing asthma-causing particulate matter by 74 to 90 percent; and
• Providing cleaner air for collection personnel and residents.

 

Montgomery County is the first in the mid-Atlantic Region to introduce this type of environmental program.