Waste Management Inc. has begun construction of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling facility in the Columbus, Ohio, area and is converting its fleet that serves that region to CNG.

The Houston-based Waste Management said in a news release that it will convert its 55 trucks for the area to CNG. The company expects the first 25 new trucks to arrive this summer and to convert the remainder of the fleet during the next couple years. It will be Waste Management’s first CNG fleet in Ohio.

Waste Management is building the CNG fueling station at its operation in Canal Winchester, which is near Columbus.

"This new fueling facility will give us the direct capability to fuel a CNG fleet in the Columbus area, and with the CNG fleet, we'll lower our fleet emissions, helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Frank Fello, senior district manager for Waste Management of Ohio.