WALL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) today announced the opening of Ocean County, New Jersey’s first public-access compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station at the Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) facility in Toms River.
“Throughout our history, New Jersey Natural Gas has celebrated many milestones, but to be part of bringing the first public compressed natural gas fueling station to Ocean County is truly exciting,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of New Jersey Natural Gas. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with Waste Management to help stimulate the state’s market for compressed natural gas vehicles and the benefits they provide. CNG vehicles are a proven, energy-efficient alternative to gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, help to improve air quality in our communities and support the country’s goal of energy independence.”
The construction of the CNG fueling station in Toms River is part of NJNG’s unique pilot program, the NGV Advantage. With approval from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, NJNG invested a total of $10 million to build, own and maintain the infrastructure for three public CNG fueling stations in its service territory. The station at Waste Management’s Toms River facility is the first to become operational.
“Waste Management’s natural gas conversion has allowed us to achieve important environmental goals of reducing our fleet’s emissions by 15 percent and improving efficiency by 15 percent,” Waste Management Senior District Manager Carmen Perez said. “These ambitious goals were announced in 2007 and the natural gas conversion allowed us to reach these milestones well before our 2020 deadline; and we have many more trucks to convert.
“Waste Management is thankful for New Jersey Natural Gas, and all of their work that has made this project possible,” Ms. Perez continued. “New Jersey Natural Gas has enabled us to operate and service our customers more cleanly and quietly, and will enable those who live in and enjoy Ocean County the opportunity to consider this affordable and environmentally friendly transportation fuel.”
Previously, there had been only eight CNG fueling stations open to the public in New Jersey, which has been a major obstacle to increased use of natural gas vehicles (NGV). The investment in the CNG station at the Waste Management facility and other host sites is an important step in further developing the use of NGVs and, in particular, making it a viable option for area fleets to convert to a cleaner domestic fuel.
With abundant supplies of natural gas in the United States available at competitive prices, CNG compares favorably to gasoline and diesel. In fact, according to a study prepared for the California Energy Commission, natural gas-powered vehicles produce between 20 and 30 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than those powered by diesel.
About Waste Management
Waste Management (NYSE:WM) is the largest environmental solutions provider in North America, serving more than 20 million customers in the U.S. and Canada. As part of its strategy, Waste Management is committed to developing new waste solutions that can help communities and organizations achieve their green goals, including zero waste. As North America’s largest residential recycler, the company expects to manage more than 20 million tons every year by 2020, up from the more than 12 million tons handled in 2012. Waste Management’s corporate office is in Houston, Texas.
About New Jersey Resources
New Jersey Resources (NYSE:NJR) is a Fortune 1000 company that provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution and asset management. With annual revenues in excess of $3 billion, NJR is comprised of five primary businesses:
- New Jersey Natural Gas is NJR’s principal subsidiary that operates and maintains over 7,300 miles of natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure to serve over half a million customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean and parts of Morris and Middlesex counties.
- NJR Energy Services manages a diversified portfolio of natural gas transportation and storage assets and provides physical natural gas services to its customers across North America.
- NJR Clean Energy Ventures invests in, owns and operates solar and onshore wind projects with a total capacity of over 130 megawatts, providing residential and commercial customers with low-carbon solutions.
- NJR Midstream serves customers from local distributors and producers to electric generators and wholesale marketers through its equity ownership in a natural gas storage facility and Dominion Midstream Partners, LP.
- NJR Home Services provides heating, central air conditioning, standby generators, solar and other indoor and outdoor comfort products to residential homes and businesses throughout New Jersey and serves approximately 117,000 service contract customers.
NJR and its nearly 1,000 employees are committed to helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency through Conserve to Preserve® and initiatives such as The SAVEGREEN Project® and The Sunlight Advantage®.
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