Clean Energy Fuels Corp., a large provider of clean fuel for the transportation market, has begun providing renewable natural gas (RNG) for the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (CCRRA) in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, supporting a transition to a cleaner, low-carbon fuel produced from organic waste.

“The recycling and refuse industry has long embraced natural gas to mitigate the impact of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Chad Lindholm, senior vice president, Clean Energy. “Our CCRRA station is one of the first on the East Coast to transition to RNG, and will further our sustainability goal of providing RNG at all of our stations by 2025.” 

Why are the Benefits of RNG? 

Clean Energy constructed the station, which will provide fuel for both CCRRA vehicles and other fleets, and is expected to dispense an estimated 500,000 gallons of RNG annually. Switching the station from conventional natural gas to RNG will reduce carbon emissions by 3,696 metric tons each year – the equivalent of removing 803 passenger cars from the road, recycling 1,484 tons of waste instead of landfilled, and planting 61,601 trees.

“As a refuse and recycling authority, we are constantly promoting the benefits of a circular economy by purchasing products generated from the materials we handle daily,” said CCRRA Executive Director Ted Onufrak. “Migrating to RNG is just another example of how closing the loop can be beneficial economically and environmentally.

CCRRA also collaborated with the local WM affiliate to provide RNG as fuel for eight new CNG tractor-trailer units hauling over 4,300 loads of waste annually. This will support WM in meeting its goals of fleet conversion from diesel to RNG.

“WM is proud to work with the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority and commends their transition to a cleaner, renewable fleet with renewable natural gas,” said Christopher Pilzer, director of sustainable growth, WM Capitol Area. “WM is committed to the growth of our natural gas fleet and investing in renewable energy through RNG. The Centre County RRA’s investment in an RNG fueling station will help support our efforts locally.”