| Oct. 18, 2007
Winners of AQMD's 2007 Clean Air Awards to be honored at awards luncheon
LOS ANGELES – This month marks the end of the cleanest smog season on
record in Southern California history. To honor those who have helped clean
the air, the South Coast Air Quality Management District will pay tribute
today to these individuals, community groups and businesses at the agency’s
19th Annual Clean Air Awards.
“Through their innovation, passion and commitment to cleaner air, these
winners have set an inspiring example of dedication and leadership for all
of us,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D., chairman of AQMD’s Governing Board.
Among those being honored are a children’s health advocate for her
success in implementing a policy that protects Los Angeles Unified School
District students from harmful pesticides; the University of Southern
California for offering alternative commute options to its employees and a
mayor who has championed clean air and green building practices.
The Clean Air Awards luncheon at the Biltmore Millennium Hotel in
downtown Los Angeles will be emceed by ABC-7 morning traffic reporter Jane
Monreal. This year’s eight AQMD Clean Air Award winners are:
Leadership in Government Award
Robert “Bob” Foster, Mayor of Long Beach
Since his inauguration as mayor of Long Beach in 2006, Bob Foster has
made effective environmental policy a top priority for the Long Beach
community. From expanding Long Beach’s green building program to helping
adopt the San Pedro Bay Port Clean Air Action Plan, Foster is a powerful
voice for sustainability and cleaner air.
Foster is also a longtime champion of renewable and alternative energy
sources. He has served as chief of the Conservation Unit of the California
Energy Commission, and had a 21-year career in the energy industry,
including four years as president of Southern California Edison. Foster has
also spoken at numerous state and federal hearings in support of legislation
aiming to improve Southern California air quality.
Robert M. Zweig, M.D. Memorial Award
John G. Miller, M.D.
With over 30 years of emergency medical experience in Southern
California, Dr. John G. Miller has seen the adverse health effects of diesel
emissions firsthand. As a resident of the port city of San Pedro, he has
actively advocated for improved air quality in his home city and beyond. In
addition to chairing the Port of Los Angeles Subcommittee on Environmental
Impact Reports and Aesthetic Mitigation, he also serves on the board of
directors of the Coalition for a Safe Environment. Dr. Miller’s work has
not only helped bring cleaner air to Southern California, but his diligent
advocacy efforts echo the spirit of Dr. Robert M. Zweig and his legendary
commitment to improving public health through reduced air pollution.
Innovative Transportation Projects
Five Cities Hydrogen Program
In its first year, the Five Cities Hydrogen Program cleverly demonstrated
the viability of clean-burning, hydrogen-powered vehicles to the Southern
California community. Funded by AQMD and the cities of Burbank, Ontario,
Riverside, Santa Ana and Santa Monica, the landmark program provides a
preliminary demonstration for hydrogen-hybrid vehicles and expands the
network of hydrogen refueling stations.
The five-year program is currently monitoring the progress of 25
internal-combustion hydrogen-powered Prius hybrid vehicles as well as five
hydrogen refueling stations -- one in each participating city. Through the
Priuses’ day-to-day activities, the program hopes to stimulate demand for
hydrogen fueling, accelerate the expansion of the hydrogen-refueling network
and actively educate the public on hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
Innovative Transportation Project
University of Southern California
USC’s employee commute reduction program is more than a simple rideshare
program. The program includes a fully integrated marketing and outreach
component, and greatly exceeds the trip reduction targets of AQMD’s Rule
2202.
The program has taken great strides to improve air quality in Southern
California through a variety of alternative commute options. Carpools and
vanpools with preferred parking, rideshare matching services and subsidies
for public transit are just some of the options available to USC employees.
The success of the USC Transportation Office in communicating these options
to employees is evident all around campus – on a peak commute day, more than
900 employees car/vanpool to work, 1,100 arrive by bus or rail and almost
1,200 walk or bike.
Model Community Achievement
City of Santa Monica, Environmental Programs Division
The City of Santa Monica is truly a model community for sustainability –
its efforts to reduce environmental impacts have become a blueprint for
other cities and governmental agencies aiming at conservation. From its 1994
Sustainable City Program to its 1998 Environmentally Friendly Purchasing
Program, Santa Monica has become a national leader in developing
sustainability practices for municipal operations.
In keeping with the city’s tradition of progressive green building
policy, Santa Monica is home to the first Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED)-certified park in the nation. It also has two
LEED-certified buildings and five more under construction. The city is also
an active supporter of alternative fuels and transportation. In fact, the
city will host the popular AltCar Expo at the Santa Monica Airport on
Oct.19-20, showcasing clean vehicle alternatives for consumers.
Promotion of Good Environmental Stewardship
Robina Suwol, California Safe Schools
For the past nine years, Robina Suwol of Toluca Lake has been diligently
raising awareness for safer use of pesticides in California’s public
schools. As the founder of the non-profit organization California Safe
Schools, Suwol has collaborated with numerous environmental groups,
healthcare professionals and city and state officials to implement the
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy throughout Los Angeles Unified
School District. The IPM policy was so successful at protecting Los Angeles
Unified School District students from harmful pesticides that the California
Legislature passed three statewide bills extending the stringent pesticide
controls and notification requirements to all K-12 public schools and
private daycare facilities.
Suwol has written numerous articles on the health risks posed to young
children from pesticide use, and in 2007, she received the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 9 Environmental Award for her
advocacy work.
Advancement of Air Pollution Technology
Cummins Westport, Inc.
As the global leader in designing, manufacturing and distributing
alternative fuel engines, Cummins Westport of Vancouver, B.C., Canada,
provides high-performance natural gas engines to more than 160 countries
worldwide. The creation of their 8.9-liter ISL-G engine, however, will have
a significant impact on air quality right here in Southern California.
The ISL-G is the cleanest heavy-duty production engine ever built,
meeting stringent U.S. EPA emissions requirements three years ahead of
schedule. The ISL-G engine offers improved efficiency, lower emissions and
more than 30 percent higher torque at idle. Compared to the diesel-fueled
truck engines that dominate most of Southern California’s truck fleet, the
ISL-G engine offers a 90 percent reduction in smog-forming nitrogen oxides
and particulate matter emissions.
Public Education on Air Quality Issues
Western Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition
The Western Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition conducted two
hands-on programs for air quality education. One is directed at middle
school students, the other toward car owners. Their Interactive School
program has reached more than 5,000 middle school students in seven
communities. And their Car Care for Clean Air program educated more than
3,000 Inland Empire residents in five communities on how proper car
maintenance can contribute to cleaner air.
Each community event featured drive-up station lanes where participants
could receive free vehicle inspections and emissions checks. Incentives were
offered for high-polluting vehicle repairs, such as free oil changes from
local automotive centers. Local businesses, the AQMD and other Clean Cities
Coalition groups were also on hand to discuss alternative transportation
methods, the region’s air quality and the environmental impact of vehicle
emissions.
The awards ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Biltmore’s Crystal
Ballroom at 506 S. Grand Ave. in Los Angeles. Tickets to the Clean Air
Awards are $35 for the public and complimentary for members of the media.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
-#-
|
