99 Cents Only makes natural (gas) change

Clean, quiet and efficient are the benefits 99 Cents Only expects to derive from a switch to natural gas fueled vehicles at its main distribution center in California.

The extreme value retailer said it opened a fully operational compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station on site at the company's main distribution center in the Los Angeles suburb of City of Commerce. The move is the final step in the company's plan to adopt a green approach to a private fleet operation that serves 383 stores in California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas.

Over the past 18 months, 75% of the company's fleet was converted from diesel to CNG which it contends benefits communities because its trucks are cleaner, quieter and more efficient. The 53 CNG trucks the company operates will drive approximately 3.7 million miles and will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 6,500 metric tons over the next seven years, according to the company.

“Fifty-three of ou trucks have converted to CNG making us the largest private retail Class 8 CNG fleet in California," said David Townsend, director of transportation at 99 Cents Only.

The retailer thanked Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), Southern California Gas Company, Edison, the City of Commerce and the Fire Department for support in development of the CNG filling station.