SEAL BEACH, CA - Refuse operators in Florida, New Jersey, Idaho, and California have opened new compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel stations to support deployment of their growing fleets of CNG refuse collection trucks. The new CNG stations were designed and built by Clean Energy Fuels Corp. for Choice Environmental Services, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Central Jersey Waste, Hamilton Township, N.J.; Allied Waste Services, Boise, Idaho; and South County Sanitary Company, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

According to Raymond Burke, Clean Energy vice president, refuse companies and agencies throughout America are adopting natural gas fuel for both environmental and economic reasons. "CNG trash trucks reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent compared to conventional diesel-powered models, and are quieter. CNG fuel costs significantly less, on average, than diesel," he said.

The new Choice Environmental Services CNG station supports South Florida's first privately owned fleet of clean, green natural gas refuse trucks. The Choice CNG fleet serves commercial and residential customers in the City of Fort Lauderdale. The company plans to expand CNG truck deployment throughout its service area, which encompasses Palm Beach, Broward, Dade, and Collier counties.

In a precedent-setting move, Central Jersey Wasteand Recycling has become the first refuse company in New Jersey to convert a portion of its truck fleet operations to clean-burning natural gas fuel. Central Jersey contracted with Clean Energy to build a private time-fill CNG truck fueling station at its Trenton location. The company financed a portion of station construction and CNG truck purchase costs through Clean Energy Finance, which offers creative funding options and support for Clean Energy customers.

Boise-based Allied Waste Services, a Republic Services company, has opened the first CNG fuel station with public access in Idaho. Allied Waste will use the new station to fuel its growing fleet of CNG refuse trucks. Allied contracts with the City of Boise to provide all solid waste and recycling services for the Greater Boise area. The new CNG station, designed and built for Allied Waste by Clean Energy, will open for public access early in 2010, making it possible for individuals, fleet operators and local governments to switch to CNG fuel.

The new Florida, New Jersey, and Idaho CNG fuel stations mark Clean Energy's entry into these markets.

South County Sanitary Company, a Waste Connections company, contracts with the San Luis Obispo, CA Integrated Waste Management Authority to provide trash collection and recycling services to area residents and businesses. South County Sanitary has opened its first private Clean Energy CNG fueling station, which is dedicated to supporting the company's fast-growing CNG truck fleet. South County has announced plans to transition its entire refuse fleet to natural gas power, citing the benefits of its cleaner, cheaper, quieter operation.