Veolia Introduces Fleet of CNG Trucks in Wisconsin

Veolia ES Solid Waste Inc., the solid waste division of Veolia Environmental Services North America Corp. (VESNA), has introduced a fleet of compressed natural gas- (CNG-) powered refuse trucks to its Waunakee, Wis., service area. 

“We are very proud to be the first private sector company to bring CNG technology to the state of Wisconsin,” says Jim Long, president and CEO of Veolia ES Solid Waste Inc. “Having been based in Milwaukee for many years and with a long history serving customers throughout Wisconsin, this investment is extremely meaningful for us.”

Veolia has purchased 13 CNG-powered trucks and a CNG fueling infrastructure that includes 48 fueling bays, allowing for future expansion of the fleet as required to support the community’s needs. “This fleet of CNG trucks will serve over 25,000 households across the greater Madison area, as well as the single-stream recycling needs of over 5,000 commercial and industrial customers across Dane, Green and Sauk counties,” Long adds.

The Waunakee fueling infrastructure uses time-fill fueling technology that allows drivers to fuel trucks during overnight hours, minimizing administrative and operational downtime. The site will continue to use diesel-powered collection trucks to collect industrial and commercial waste, but will be replacing those trucks with CNG-powered models over the next two years. The natural gas is being provided to the site by Madison Gas & Electric.

As of 2012, Veolia operates four CNG fueling stations and more than 100 CNG-powered refuse collection and support vehicles in North America.