In honor of Earth Day, Penske says it joined partner companies to officially open a new Trillium CNG compressed natural gas (CNG) station in Pottsville, Pa.
Trillium CNG unveiled its public-access CNG station in the Highridge Business Park, where a total of 23 Penske Truck Leasing heavy-duty trucks will be fueled by Penske Logistics and lessees Wegmans Food Markets and NFI.
Penske Truck Leasing notes it won $499,997 in state funding to subsidize the purchase of 23 Freightliner Cascadia tractors equipped with Cummins Westport 12-liter natural gas engines. NFI, a supply chain solutions provider, is operating 15 of the tractors, and Wegmans is running three trucks. Penske Logistics, meanwhile, is making use of the remaining five.
In addition, Trillium CNG won $824,000 of state funding to subsidize the construction of its new CNG fueling station. The facility is on 1.6 acres and will be open continuously. The separate dual-hose dispenser will allow two trucks to fuel simultaneously and features Trillium CNG's proprietary fast-fill hydraulic intensifier compressor.
‘Today is an excellent example of how several organizations can work together and create a success story for the transportation industry to transition to alternative fuels,’ stated Drew Cullen, Penske's senior vice president of fuels and facilities services. ‘We appreciate the opportunity to take a lead role in making this day a reality.’
‘Trillium CNG is excited to be partnering with NFI, Penske and Wegmans Foods to make CNG available in the area,’ said Mary Boettcher, president of Trillium CNG. ‘We're confident other fleet operators in the tri-state region will take advantage of the environmental and economic benefits that natural gas provides.’
‘With the new natural gas fueling station, NFI will be able to further its mission to improve its environmental impact,’ added Bill Bliem, senior vice president of fleet services at NFI, an EPA SmartWay Transport Partner.
Â
‘We are proud to be part of this event and to be working with partners who share our commitment to sustainability,’ said David DeMascole, Wegmans' director of network planning. ‘If our high expectations for environmental and financial performance are met, these will be the first of many tractors using CNG at Wegmans.’
