Five of Tampa's garbage trucks are filling their tanks for $2.50. That's nearly $2.00 less than diesel. The trucks are powered by compressed natural gas instead of typical diesel or gas.
The city rolled these new trucks out last month, joining a few other local cities and private companies with compressed natural gas, or CNG, vehicles on the roads.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn gives a quick answer to why cities and businesses are making the conversion. "It's the economics, and it's the environment."
Buckhorn says the five new garbage trucks will save the city $150,000 a year in fuel costs. A CNG truck does cost about $30,000 more than a new diesel truck, but the fuel savings recoup that costs in just one year.
Natural gas is abundant and is more environmentally-friendly than fossil fuels. According to the city, the new vehicles emit about 40% less greenhouse gases, offer extended engine life, and cost less to maintain than the current trucks.
John Billingsley has been a driver with Tampa Solid Waste for 10 years, and he now drives one of the CNG trucks. "The CNG truck is much quieter, and it's much easier to maneuver around the city as well," said Billingsley.
Billingsley's route is around Raymond James Stadium which makes it easy for him to fill up at the public CNG station at Tampa International Airport. The city has a partnership with TIA that allows all five of these garbage trucks to gas up at that filling station, but the Mayor hopes to eventually install a station specifically for the city's fleet vehicles.
The city hopes to expand its CNG fleet. The plan is to add five more natural gas garbage trucks by 2014.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:51:06 GMT
Attorney William Grant is representing the family of Jamie Seeger. Grant says they want answers on why Seeger did not have protection as a confidential informant for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. To the left of Grant is Wendy Moore, Seeger's mother
The family of a female confidential informant says, they want answers. Last July, Jamie Seeger was found shot to death in her car in Crystal River.
The family of a female confidential informant says, they want answers. Last July, Jamie Seeger was found shot to death in her car in Crystal River.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:46:51 GMT
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:09:00 GMT
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:01:00 GMT
It seems getting down on one knee with a ring is taking a backseat to some very creative marriage proposals. In recent years, men have conceptualized and executed marriage proposals that have raised
It seems getting down on one knee with a ring is taking a backseat to some very creative marriage proposals. In recent years, men have conceptualized and executed marriage proposals that have raised
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:00:43 GMT
Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall in that country's Gulf Coast state of Veracruz.
Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall in that country's Gulf Coast state of Veracruz.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
