Longmont, Colorado welcomes biogas-fuelled waste collection vehicles
Biogas-fuelled waste collection vehicles have been introduced in the city of Longmont in Colorado, US.
As part of a project prioritised in the city’s 2018 greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, Longmont has become the first city along the Front Range mountains to implement a renewable vehicle fuel project.
Biogas produced at the city’s wastewater treatment plant is transformed into renewable natural gas (RNG) that powers the city’s waste collection trucks. With 11 RNG-powered trucks already on the road, Longmont is offsetting over 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually, reducing GHG emissions by around 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Further reductions are expected when the site reaches full capacity.
The city of Longmont plans to convert the rest of the fleet as the 10 remaining diesel trucks come up for replacement. A statement on the City of Longmont government website said: “Residents can breathe easier knowing this new fleet will significantly reduce nitric oxide and nitrogen oxide tailpipe emissions – leading contributors in ground-level ozone.
“The fuelling process is simpler for collection truck drivers, as well. Drivers simply connect their trucks to one of 16 fuelling posts at the end of their shift to begin the overnight fuelling process. In the morning, the trucks are fully fuelled and ready to go.”
The city worked with Carollo Engineers, a national design firm, to design and construct the biogas treatment system. CGRS, a Fort Collins-based environmental services and construction company, served as the project manager and construction contractor for the project, as well as designing the new fuelling station.
As part of a project prioritised in the city’s 2018 greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, Longmont has become the first city along the Front Range mountains to implement a renewable vehicle fuel project.
Biogas produced at the city’s wastewater treatment plant is transformed into renewable natural gas (RNG) that powers the city’s waste collection trucks. With 11 RNG-powered trucks already on the road, Longmont is offsetting over 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually, reducing GHG emissions by around 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Further reductions are expected when the site reaches full capacity.
The city of Longmont plans to convert the rest of the fleet as the 10 remaining diesel trucks come up for replacement. A statement on the City of Longmont government website said: “Residents can breathe easier knowing this new fleet will significantly reduce nitric oxide and nitrogen oxide tailpipe emissions – leading contributors in ground-level ozone.
“The fuelling process is simpler for collection truck drivers, as well. Drivers simply connect their trucks to one of 16 fuelling posts at the end of their shift to begin the overnight fuelling process. In the morning, the trucks are fully fuelled and ready to go.”
The city worked with Carollo Engineers, a national design firm, to design and construct the biogas treatment system. CGRS, a Fort Collins-based environmental services and construction company, served as the project manager and construction contractor for the project, as well as designing the new fuelling station.
