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.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:44 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:44:16 GMT
AP Photo
As many as 60 people were injured in Virginia Saturday when a car drove into a group of hikers marching in a parade. No fatalities have been reported, but injuries range from superficial to critical.
As many as 60 people were injured in Virginia Saturday when a car drove into a group of hikers marching in a parade. No fatalities have been reported, but injuries range from superficial to critical.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:01:35 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:18 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:18:18 GMT
Early English lottery ticket
According to the History of Lottery researchers, after the first English lottery approved by King James I in 1612 that granted the Virginia Company of London the right to raise money.
According to the History of Lottery researchers, after the first English lottery approved by King James I in 1612 that granted the Virginia Company of London the right to raise money.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:04 AM EDT2013-05-19 13:04:58 GMT
Security camera image
Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Friday at a Winter Haven grocery store.
Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Friday at a Winter Haven grocery store.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:43 AM EDT2013-05-19 06:43:27 GMT
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:01:35 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Leigh Spann joined WFLA in September, 2007. You can catch her forecasts every weekday morning starting at 4:30am. Since so many people ask, she says she wakes up at 2am and goes to bed at 7pm!
Leigh Spann joined WFLA in September, 2007. You can catch her forecasts every weekday morning starting at 4:30am. Since so many people ask, she says she wakes up at 2am and goes to bed at 7pm!
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:04 AM EDT2013-05-19 13:04:58 GMT
Security camera image
Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Friday at a Winter Haven grocery store.
Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Friday at a Winter Haven grocery store.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:43 AM EDT2013-05-19 06:43:27 GMT
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Monday, May 13 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:43:13 GMT
Humans have come a long way since the days of the caveman, but a new diet is looking to the past for healthy inspiration. It's often called the paleo diet, or the caveman diet.
Humans have come a long way since the days of the caveman, but a new diet is looking to the past for healthy inspiration. It's often called the paleo diet, or the caveman diet.
