News Releases from Headquarters›Air and Radiation (OAR)
Exemplary Clean Air and Climate Initiatives Win EPA Honors
WASHINGTON - This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is honoring seven projects for their work on clean air and climate initiatives, including investment in alternative fuel vehicle fleets, business partnerships to reduce pollutants, and air quality education and outreach. The 2015 Clean Air Excellence Award recognizes innovative state, local, tribal, and private sector programs that protect health and the environment, educate the public, serve their communities and boost the economy.
"Communities across the country have cleaner air and better protected health thanks to these award-winning programs," said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "We're celebrating Earth Day a little early by recognizing these cutting-edge efforts to educate their communities, cut harmful air pollution, improve public health and make our environment healthier and more sustainable."
From an innovative public education program in the Delaware Valley to comprehensive air quality and health services for Alaskan tribes, award winners demonstrate a commitment to protecting health, reducing air pollution and addressing climate change. This year's winners are:
Clean Air Technology
Penske Truck Leasing - Clean Air Technology Commitment - Penske Truck Leasing Co. LLP
Community Action
Clean Air Partners Program - CLEAN AIR Force of Central Texas
Club Ride Commuter Services - Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Club Ride is a free program of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada designed to improve air quality and encourage commute alternatives such as riding transit, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, bicycling, working compressed work weeks, and telecommuting. Club Ride partners with nearly 300 employers and more than 24,000 registered commuters in Clark County to meet these goals. Club Ride's 2014 highlights include: 59 tons of carbon monoxide emissions reduced; 2,324 tons of greenhouse gases reduced; over 1 million clean commute trips reported; 5.9 million miles removed from the road; and $1,616,931 in commuter cost savings.
Education and Outreach
Air Quality Partnership of the Delaware Valley - Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
The Air Quality Partnership of the Delaware Valley (AQP) has been actively educating the public in the Greater Philadelphia region about ways to reduce emissions that lead to ozone pollution and fine particle pollution (PM2.5) since its formation in 1997. The AQP is a program of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and consists of a coalition of agencies, businesses, and non-profits. The Partnership's network of members, employees, and stakeholders encourage voluntary actions to reduce emissions by taking alternative forms of transportation, conserving energy in the home, educating the public about wastefulness of idling vehicles, and sharing ways to reducing emissions while refueling, among other efforts. For example, the organization worked with their partners on an anti-idling campaign that resulted in the creation of an online idling reporting platform (www.idlefreephilly.org).
Regulatory and Policy Innovations
Oil and Gas Emission Reduction Initiative - Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
In 2014, the State of Colorado adopted new rules to further minimize air quality impacts associated with oil and gas development. Colorado's rules expand upon existing state law and EPA's recent New Source Performance Standards. The rules were developed after an extensive stakeholder process lead by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, working closely with diverse partners. A broad coalition of industry, environmental and local government stakeholders supported the rules, which were adopted by Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission.
Transportation Efficiency Innovations
Fleet Hybrid Electric and All Electric Vehicle Program - County of Sonoma Fleet Operations
Gregg Cooke Visionary Program Award
Environmental Health Consultation - Tribal Air Quality Program - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
The awards program, established in 2000 at the recommendation of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, recognizes and honors both individuals and organizations that have undertaken the risks of innovation, served as pioneers in their fields, advanced public understanding of air pollution and improved air quality. Entries are judged by EPA and the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, and winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 21, 2015.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/air/cleanairawards/index.html