By Steve Pollock

AMBRIDGE, PA… History was made on Friday, June 15, 2012 when ground was broken for the first compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  The station, which will offer public CNG fueling, will open in the 1st quarter of 2013 and will be the fourth public CNG fueling station in Pennsylvania.

Rick Macklin, President and CEO of Beemac Trucking purchased property at the corner of Duss Avenue and Legionville Road near Ambridge, PA from the Verdoni family.  Macklin’s longtime friend Dante Verdoni sold him the property so the project could move forward.  Dante Verdoni used the property for many years to operate his own fleet of trucks.  Tragically, Dante Verdoni passed away a short while before the ribbon cutting ceremony took place, however many members of the Verdoni family were able to attend.

After some preliminary comments from Mr. Macklin, guest speakers explained the significance and importance of the new CNG fuel station’s opening.  The speakers included Congressman Jason Altmire, 4th Congressional District; Senator Elder Vogel, PA State Senator from the 47th District; Representative Rob Matzie, PA Representative from the 16th District; Joe Spanik and Tony Amadio, both Commissioners of Beaver County.

Beemac Trucking will be purchasing 10 new tractors with Cummins Westport engines powered by compressed natural gas for delivery in the 1st quarter of 2013.  The trucks will see service in the Beemac fleet, operating in about a 100-mile radius of Pittsburgh.  CNG trucks are already in service in Pittsburgh area by Giant Eagle, a large grocery store chain.

Beemac Trucking is a premier flatbed carrier established in 1984 in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.  The company has 26 terminals located throughout North America and operates in all 48 states.  Rick Macklin, Beemac President and CEO stated, “With the development of Marcellus Shale, Pennsylvania has become a major supplier of natural gas.  Replacing foreign oil with natural gas as a fuel for our trucks is a major step towards fuel independence. These clean burning trucks will also help improve air quality for all of us.”