Green Initiatives Highlighted During Congressman's Visit to Arizona Beer Distributorship

U.S. Representative Ben Quayle (AZ-3) got an inside look at the beer distribution industry during a recent visit to Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc. headquarters in Tucson, Arizona. While in Tucson, the Congressman toured the company’s administrative building and learned more about Golden Eagle’s plans to build a compressed natural gas (CNG) station for its new vehicles.

Golden Eagle has leased 23 CNG vehicles from Ryder System, Inc. which will replace the distributorship’s current truck fleet in Tucson. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, CNG vehicles produce 95% less particulate matter, 80% less nitrogen oxide, and they provide a reduction of 23% in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to diesel engines.

The Golden Eagle business plan includes future tactics to expand the CNG fleet vehicle program into Golden Eagle’s six branch operations throughout Arizona. To service the CNG fleet, Golden Eagle is working toward creating a CNG fuel station at its headquarters in Tucson, and then at several other branch locations as the CNG fleet expansion continues over the next several years.

During Rep. Quayle’s visit – which was his first to the company – the Golden Eagle team spoke to him about the beer business and the economy, as well as the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2011. The NAT GAS Act would provide tax credits for companies that use CNG fleets.

According to Golden Eagle’s CEO Christopher Clements, Rep. Quayle is already planning a return visit to address a sales meeting and to spend more time meeting with the company’s 389 statewide employees.

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