Fill'er Up With LNG!; Norcal Converts Long Haul Fleet to Clean-burning Liquefied Natural Gas Offsetting Air Pollution Generated by 2,200 Cars

    SAN FRANCISCO--March 19, 2002--Today the Bay Area's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) station was opened providing a low emissions fuel alternative for Norcal's newly converted long haul fleet that allows for a 50 percent reduction in NOx and 80 percent reduction in particulate matter.
    Norcal Waste Systems, Inc., the parent company of Sunset Scavenger and Golden Gate Disposal & Recycling, opened the station to serve its fleet of 38 long-haul vehicles with the low pollution alternative fuel. The first truck was fueled today at a kick-off celebration held at the brand new LNG fueling station located at Sanitary Fill Company.
    "The fueling facility built here is necessary to fuel the newly converted fleet of vehicles that haul over 2,200 tons of garbage and recyclables a day to a landfill in Alameda County and recycling facilities across the Bay Area," said Bennie Anselmo, Norcal Fleet Manager. "The trucks have been equipped with the Cummins Westport ISX-G engine and will allow us the same performance level obtained utilizing diesel."
    Currently, 14 new LNG trucks are in service, nine new LNG trucks have been ordered, and the final 15 LNG trucks will be ordered with additional grants from regional transportation funds. This conversion was made possible through grants distributed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and the willingness of the Norcal companies to reduce emissions in the Bay Area.
    "The Air District has funded this project with more than $2.2 million in the past four years," said Air District Executive Officer Ellen Garvey. "We believe that this project demonstrates just how effective cleaner technology can be in improving air quality. It's remarkable that these 38 natural gas trucks are removing the pollution equivalent to taking 2,200 cars off the road!"
    Also instrumental to the funding and success of this clean-air initiative was San Francisco's Department of the Environment. "The Environment Department is pleased to have played a significant role in securing funding for Norcal's LNG conversion, and to build the region's first LNG fueling station," said Jared Blumenfeld, Director of San Francisco's Department of the Environment. "By converting from diesel to clean-burning LNG we eliminate cancer-causing diesel particulate emissions, help to improve regional air quality, and the overall environmental health of Bay Area residents."
    The ISX-G engine developed by Cummins Westport Inc. provides the highest horsepower and power-to-weight ratio in its class. "Westport-cycle technology allows this clean engine to pull the heaviest loads up the steepest hills at the same speed as diesel vehicles," said Guff Muench, President of Cummins Westport Inc. "As more truck fleet operators like Norcal adopt this new technology, the U.S. will benefit from improved air quality and reduced reliance on imported crude oil."
    Norcal, a 100 percent employee-owned company headquartered in San Francisco, began testing alternative fuel systems on large trucks in 1994 -- pioneering the use of a compressed natural gas in a recycling truck. "We are also looking at the possibility of developing a Westport-type system for the refuse collection fleet where engines could be converted to run on alternative fuel," said Mike Sangiacomo, President and CEO of Norcal. "At Norcal we are committed to implementing the best environmental solutions possible, both in recycling and clean-air technologies."