Aug. 28, 2003
Convenience, comfort and a
chance for cleaner skies arrive in the form of a brand-new 10-passenger van
donated to one of the Pomona Valley's most respected service agencies today,
thanks to a dynamic partnership between the South Coast Air Quality Management
District and General Motors Corp., with assistance from Clean Energy.
The big, white bi-fuel
Chevrolet has two separate fueling systems and can run on gasoline or
clean-burning natural gas -- meaning it can do its share of reducing air
pollutants in one of the region's most impacted areas while transporting the
developmentally disabled clients of the 37-year-old Pomona Valley Workshop.
"GM's clean-air partnership
with AQMD and Clean Energy is a great example of how a collaboration between the
public and private sectors can benefit air quality in the Inland Empire and all
of Southern California,'' said Leonard Paulitz, an AQMD Board Member and
Montclair Council Member.
“Many of the individuals we
serve through our various programs require transportation in order to gain
access to their community,” said Karen Jones, the workshop's executive
director. “This van will enable us to provide additional transportation
services, and thus will help us serve our community much more effectively.”
The non-profit Pomona
Valley Workshop provides nearly 400 adults who have developmental disabilities
with vocational training, supported employment services, adult development and
senior services. It is one of the most respected and accomplished agencies of
its kind in the region.
"GM's clean-air partnership
with the AQMD is a great example of the collaboration needed to facilitate the
use of automotive technologies in ways that improve the lives of those in our
local communities," said Ken Stewart, GM's marketing director of new ventures.
"For almost 40 years, the Pomona Valley Workshop has helped adults with
disabilities live a better, fuller life. By donating this clean air van, we can
help such wonderful organizations touch more people and improve more lives."
When driven on compressed
natural gas, the van reduces smog-forming emissions. Clean Energy of Seal Beach
will donate CNG fuel for the van, which is available at several locations in the
Inland Empire. Wondries Chevrolet of Alhambra facilitated delivery of the 2003
Chevrolet Express 2500 bi-fuel van.
Today's is the seventh
clean-air van that GM has donated to Southland non-profits as part of its Clean
Air Partnership with AQMD. The firm intends to donate another to a similar
organization soon. As a result of its partnership, GM has taken other air
quality measures, including helping reduce diesel school bus emissions that
endanger the health of children.
AQMD is the air pollution
agency for Orange County and major potions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino
and Riverside Counties.
Clean Energy, based in Seal
Beach, is the nation’s largest provider of vehicular natural gas (CNG and LNG).
-#-
|
