The city of Denver has opened its first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station.
The station, which has 70 CNG pumps that will be used by city vehicle operators, supports Mayor Michael Hancock's 2020 Sustainability initiative, which includes improving air quality. CNG is a cleaner-burning fuel that generates less carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and greenhouse gas emissions compared with regular diesel.
In addition to environmental benefits, CNG fuel is less expensive. The Department of Public Works estimates it will save $2 per gallon-equivalent of liquid fuel, or $8,000 per trash truck a year.
Denver already has purchased 19 CNG vehicles and is anticipating having 40 vehicles -- or about 40 percent of its trash and recycling fleet -- running on CNG by the end of the year.
"Denver is very proud of this investment in alternative fuel infrastructure," Hancock says. "The new CNG station is an important milestone in achieving our sustainability goals and elevating Denver’s reputation as a smart, livable city."
The new $2.5 million fueling station is an integral piece of infrastructure for the city’s expanding CNG fleet. Designed Denver-based RNL and built by TruStar Energy, the station will accommodate up to 68 vehicles.
Denver Environmental Health provided a $2.15 million loan to build the station; the remaining amount was paid for by Public Works Fleet Management. Denver also received a $500,000 grant from Encana Natural Gas to purchase 15 CNG refuse vehicles.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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