Innovative new waste haulers deliver savings while removing greenhouse gases and noise

Progressive Waste Solutions will fill up 52 new CNG-powered trucks at FortisBC station in Surrey

SURREY, BC, Sept. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - FortisBC and the City of Surrey are announcing that on October 1, 52 new CNG-powered waste hauling trucks will hit the road. The new vehicles offer an estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 419 tonnes per year. The engines of the new waste haulers will also run more quietly, compared to their diesel counterparts.

"Having an entire fleet of compressed natural gas waste collection trucks will establish a new benchmark in Canada and provide environmental benefits to the entire region," says Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. She adds that replacing one diesel truck with CNG is equivalent to taking 475 cars off the road annually.

Progressive Waste Solutions, which provides waste, organics and recycling solutions to businesses and places of residence across the country, chose FortisBC to construct the compressed natural gas station after being awarded the contract to provide waste, recycling and organics hauling services, using CNG vehicles, to the City of Surrey in February.

"Offering fueling for these waste haulers allows us to expand our offering of compressed natural gas in the Lower Mainland," said Doug Stout, vice president of energy solutions and external relations at FortisBC. "The City of Surrey, with the help of Progressive Waste Solutions, has become a B.C. leader in offering sustainable services to its residents."

CNG trucks are well-suited for Progressive Waste Solutions' return-to-base fleet. The vehicles fuel up at days' end at the onsite station and are ready to hit the road again the following day.

"We are proud to serve the City of Surrey and its residents, while helping to meet the community's sustainability goals," said Grant Hankins, district manager with Progressive Waste Solutions. "We are looking forward to the launch of the fleet and the benefits it will bring to the community and the environment. Our CNG vehicles have a significantly smaller carbon emissions footprint and our single stream collection system and route management techniques allow us to reduce truck travel, saving time and fuel. We are pleased to partner with the City of Surrey and with FortisBC on a progressive solution."

In addition to decreased greenhouse gas emissions and noise, refueling for CNG vehicles is estimated to be 25 - 50 per cent cheaper than refueling traditional diesel vehicles due to the current difference in prices.

FortisBC is an integrated energy solutions provider focused on providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas, electricity, propane and thermal energy solutions, at the lowest reasonable cost. FortisBC employs more than 2,300 British Columbians and serves approximately 1.1 million customers in more than 135 B.C. communities. FortisBC is indirectly wholly owned by Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. FortisBC owns and operates four regulated hydroelectric generating plants, approximately 7,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines and approximately 47,000 kilometres of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC Inc., FortisBC Energy Inc., FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc., and FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. do business as FortisBC. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: FortisBC

For further information:

Media contact:

Michael Allison
Corporate Communications Advisor, FortisBC
Phone: [phone]
fortisbc.com
twitter.com/FortisBC

Tara Foslien
Senior Communications Specialist, City of Surrey
Phone: [phone]
surrey.ca
twitter.com/CityofSurrey

Grant Hankins
District Manager, BFI Canada Inc., a Progressive Waste Solutions company
Phone: [phone]
progressivewaste.com