WM held a ribbon cutting for $20 million improvements to its hauling station as part of a several decades long effort to lower its toxic emissions. The Upper Midwest branch of WM says that the new 36 compressed natural gas vehicles it will be phasing into operation at the station are designed to emit 90 percent less nitrogen oxide than traditional diesel vehicles and they鈥檒l be quieter too.
WM鈥檚 vice president Frank Fello says the move is part of one of the company鈥檚 long term sustainability goals to move away from diesel completely in Minnesota. 鈥淭he upgraded shop makes this a better environment for our technicians to work and allows us to maintain things better as well,” Fello said.
The company hopes the move will help set an example for the rest of the waste disposal industry. Community leaders and guests at the ribbon cutting like State Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL) agreed. “It reduces greenhouses emissions so the move is good. We are currently facing a climate emergency so everyone should be doing their part to help with that,” Liebling said.