Phoenix-based Republic Services will add 226 natural gas-powered trucks to 10 facilities in the western region starting in April.

Republic provides recycling and solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Its Allied Waste divisions in Gardena, Sun Valley, Anaheim, Long Beach, Pacheco and Chula Vista, Calif.; Bellevue and Kent, Wash.; and Boise, Idaho will be receiving the vehicles.

The company will support the upgrade by constructing compressed natural gas fueling stations at Gardena, Sun Valley and Chula Vista, and Bellevue. Clean Energy will facilitate the design and construction of the new fueling infrastructure.

"Dedicating 20 percent of our 2010 new truck orders to NGVs definitely makes a statement about our commitment to protecting the environment," said Jeff Andrews, senior vice president, West Region, Republic. "It's only fitting that we start deployment of these fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles in April, the month of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day."

Of the 226 NGVs, 173 are compressed natural gas and the remaining 53 are liquefied natural gas. Vehicle chassis are built by Autocar and the engines by Cummins Westport.

Buck