Clean Cities Coalition Award Winners Announced at Postal Square Hall

Clean Cities Coalition

1998 Clean Cities Coalition Award Winners

Award Winners

· Chicago Area Clean Cities Program--Empire Award for adding the most

stakeholders/building an empire. In 1997, Chicago Clean Cities added

Announced at

40 new stakeholders to its coalition.

Postal Square Hall

· Salt Lake Clean Cities--A Few Good Fleets Award for adding the largest

number of private "few good" fleets to the coalition. Of the 26 new

stakeholders added to the Salt Lake City coalition in 1997, 21 were private

On Tuesday evening, announcements of

entities.

the 1998 Clean Cities Coalition award winners

· Albuquerque Clean Cities Program--Fleet Finder Award for the best fleet

resonated throughout the marble hallways of

identification system. Albuquerque developed a program to access data

the Historic Lobby at Postal Square Hall--

from the State Motor Vehicle Department that includes data in 15 different

graciously provided by U.S. Postal Service.

fields, including fuel type, vehicle weight, and type of vehicle.

DOE's Deputy Assistant Secretary Tom Gross

· Delaware Clean State Program--Gold Star Award for the coalition with

presented 11 Clean Cities Coordinators with

the greatest percentage increase in the number of AFV refueling sites.

the coveted trophy as interested onlookers

In 1997, Delaware went from 10 to 24 AFV refueling sites, a 140% increase.

feasted on gourmet finger food, courtesy of

· Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition and Clean Communities of

Toyota Motors. The Clean Cities Coalition

Central New York--Legal Eagle Award for supporting AFV legislation in

awards recognize achievements made in

1997. The Long Island and Central New York Coordinators were particularly

1997. The awardees were chosen through the

active on a Business Task Force that educated Albany lawmakers about

reporting interviews conducted with each

the need for a New York State AFV tax incentive package. This legislation

Clean Cities Coordinator earlier this year.

has put in place a 60% credit on the incremental cost of AFV acquisition

(See box at right for winners.)

and a 50% credit for an EV, for a maximum of $5,000. The legislation also

provides for a 50% tax credit on the construction of an alternative fuel

station.

· Coachella Valley Clean Region and Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities

Program--Madison Avenue Award for outstanding public outreach

Cleanest Across America

programs. Coachella Valley's efforts include a color newsletter that is

also published as a full-page ad in the local newspaper, an Earth Day

"...3,648 miles, 22 refueling stops, 15 different

event with celebrity participation, a prestigious annual awards ceremony

states, 9 Clean Cities regions or cities, and

for local AFV standout organizations (awards are presented by prominent

local celebrities and the winners are featured on television), press coverage,

a whole lot of appreciation for the cleanest

and tours and events for local officials. Greater Philadelphia outreach

trip ever across America."

efforts include a newsletter, Web site, workshops, press coverage,

displays at conferences, Earth Day awards, and a legislative conference.

--Bill Fairbairn

The coalition also won the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental

Excellence because of its active communications campaign.

· Clean Cities Atlanta--Movers & Shakers Award for the coalition with

the largest increase in alternative fuel vehicles. In 1997, Atlanta stake-

holders added 1,109 AFVs to their fleets and 36 new AFV refueling sites.

· Paso del Norte Clean Cities Coalition--Rainmaker Award for leveraging

the most funds from outside sources. In 1997, the Paso del Norte coalition

increased its budget from $90,000 to $620,000, including grants, money for

AFV projects, and in-kind contributions. It also manages the distribution of

$1,000,000 in CMAQ funding for AFV projects.

Bill Fairbairn (right) is congratulated by

David Rodgers for his successful trip across

· Red River Valley Clean Cities--Triumph over Adversity Award for triumph

over seemingly insurmountable odds. In 1997, the Grand Forks, North Dakota,

America driving a CNG-fueled vehicle.

area survived blizzards in the winter, and floods and fires in the spring

After being the first person to solo across the

and summer. Despite natural disasters, the Red River Valley Clean Cities

country in a natural gas vehicle using only

Coalition is still supporting AFVs as part of its efforts to rebuild the

publicly accessible refueling stations, Bill

community.

Fairbairn was enthusiastic about joining us at

his final destination--the National Clean Cities

Conference in Washington, D.C. Fairbairn drove

ning a trip with an AFV." After the

Fairbairn also logged his travels

the new Honda CNG Civic GX from Sacramento,

journey, Fairbairn said, "I forgot I

along the way to let everyone know

California, to Washington, D.C., in 7 days with

was driving an alternative-fueled

how his journey was progressing.

very few bumps in the road. In preparation for

vehicle." At the luncheon on Monday

You can find his travel log on the

the trip, Fairbairn researched the refueling sites

(sponsored by Honda), Fairbairn

Clean Cities Web site at

he'd use along the way. He also relied on the

was welcomed and congratulated

www.ccities.doe.gov/cleanest.html

detailed maps of the CNG refueling sites

by David Rodgers, Director of

or contact him at his office, the

compiled by DOE's National Renewable Energy

DOE's Office of Technology

California Natural Gas Vehicle

Laboratory, saying they were "a must for plan-

Utilization (OTU).

Coalition (NGVC), at 916-448-5036.