Phoenix receives $1M grant to purchase CNG solid waste trucks

At a news conference Jan. 30, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Southwest Region​ Administrator Mike Stoker announced steps to advance the national Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI), a program that aims to establish more stringent emissions standards to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other pollutants from heavy-duty engines.​

As the recipient of the recent $1 million grant from the EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), Phoenix says it will soon be able to purchase nine solid waste trucks that use the low emission NOx compressed natural gas (CNG) to replace its diesel-engine trucks. In addition, Mr. Bults Inc., the city’s long-haul trucking contractor, will be able to replace one of its long-haul diesel-engine trucks with CNG, the city says in a news release.

The grant supports the Phoenix Public Works Department’s commitment to replacing its diesel solid waste fleet with CNG-fueled ones, the city says. Public Works currently has 153 solid waste trucks using CNG fuel, of which 59 use the low NOx CNG. With the additional nine CNG solid waste trucks and one CNG long-haul truck, an estimated 1.8 tons of NOx emissions will be reduced and will conserve more than 75,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

“As the fifth largest and fastest growing city in the nation, we must set a strong example in reducing emissions,” Gallego says. “Currently, the number one producer of emissions in the Valley is vehicles. We are proud to partner with the EPA in our effort to reduce our city’s fleet emissions and educate other communities on the importance of a cleaner future."

According to the EPA, the CTI rulemaking follows petition from more than 20 organizations, including state and local agencies, to revise and promote stricter NOx standards.

“Through this initiative, we will modernize heavy-duty truck engines, improving their efficiency and reducing their emissions, which will lead to a healthier environment,” Stoker says. “The U.S. has already made major reductions in NOx emissions, but through this initiative we will continue to reduce emissions while spurring innovative new technologies, ensuring heavy-duty trucks are clean and remain a competitive method of transportation.”