The City of Philadelphia will invest $2 million to purchase new refuse trucks powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the city announced.

The funds are included as part of $7.3 million in federal funding to reduce pollution and congestion around the city, city leaders announced at a press conference earlier this month at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. The funds come from the federal Competitive Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program, and are distributed by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC).

"Our residents will benefit from this investment to advance CNGs in the city," said Mike DiBerardinis, the city’s managing director. "In fact, these waste haulers will serve some of Philadelphia's most disadvantaged and most heavily-polluted neighborhoods and will provide cleaner air to Philadelphia’s most vulnerable citizens."

This grant will leverage further investment from the city to purchase additional CNG waste haulers and Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) to construct a CNG fueling station for the vehicles.

“Philadelphia will be joining other forward-looking cities in adopting CNG technology, advancing the City and PGW’s joint commitment to create a cleaner, greener, healthier Philadelphia for all,” said Craig White, president and CEO of Philadelphia Gas Works.