Press release from the Clean Fuel Partnership regarding the Clean Fleet Awards.
30 BUSINESS LEADERS AWARDED FOR CLEAN TRANSPORTATION EFFORTS
SET REGIONAL RECORDS FOR REDUCING OVER 4.7 MILLION GASOLINE GALLONS AND 31,000 TONS OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY USING DOMESTIC CLEAN FUELS AND FUEL-SAVING TECHNOLOGIES
NEW ORLEANS – On July 9, 2019 the Regional Planning Commission’s Clean Fuel Partnership and Louisiana Department of Natural Resources recognized 30 business leaders in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa parishes that deployed domestic clean fuels, fuel saving technologies, and energy-efficient vehicle programs and policies in 2018. Their combined efforts set two regional records by reducing approximately 4,781,105 gasoline gallons equivalent (GGEs) and averting 31,917 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the air quality equivalent of taking 6,939 typical passenger vehicles off the road according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The following entities won 10-Year Leadership Awards for their significant work and dedication to cleaner transportation since 2009, when the Clean Fuel Partnership launched the Clean Fleet Awards:
Airport Shuttle: A coalition member since 2008 who now powers 25 of their shuttles with propane. General Manager Don Duvernay is a regular presenter at the Clean Fuel Partnership’s propane-focused events, and participants appreciate hearing from a fleet owner with his depth of experience.
Regional Transit Authority: The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority was an early adopter of alternative fuels, using electricity to power streetcars along St. Charles Avenue since 1894. RTA uses biodiesel and hybrid-electric buses and is exploring all-electric buses and autonomous shuttles for their future fleet.
Jefferson Transit: Jefferson Transit was the first transit operator in the region to use biodiesel and recently expanded their alternative fuel portfolio to include propane paratransit buses, showcasing how cleaner fuels are a viable option for local fleets. JeT is working toward the purchase of light-duty electric vehicles for their company fleet.
For fleets interested in exploring alternative fuel and advanced vehicle options to reach their energy and economic goals, the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Data Center website is an excellent resource with tools, case studies, maps, funding opportunities, and publications. On October 10th, the Clean Fuel Partnership is hosting the 2019 Clean Fuels Summit & Expo to further support local fleets interested in greening their bottom line through energy efficient fuels and technologies.
About Regional Planning Commission (http://www.norpc.org)
The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) serves Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles Parishes. The Commission includes local elected officials, transportation agency representatives and citizen members appointed to represent their communities on regional issues. The Commission is supported by a staff of professionals with broad experience, and doctorates or masters degrees, in a variety of areas including urban and regional planning, community development, economics, engineering, government, history, law, landscape architecture, political science, sustainable development, transportation, geography and other disciplines.
About Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership (http://www.cleanfuelpartnership.org)
RPC’s Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership (Clean Fuel Partnership) is the U.S. Department of Energy-designated Clean Cities coalition covering eight parishes in Southeast Louisiana and is supported by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. The Clean Fuel Partnership facilitates efforts to incorporate alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies in fleet operations.
About U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Coalitions (http://www.cleancities.energy.gov)
Clean Cities Mission: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative advances the nation’s economic, environmental and energy security by supporting local actions to cut petroleum use and emissions in transportation. A national network of nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions brings together stakeholders in the public and private sectors to deploy:
- Alternative and renewable fuels (biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, propane)
- Idle-reduction measures
- Fuel economy improvements
- Emerging transportation technologies
Clean Cities consists of local coalitions taking action in their communities, with the help of federal resources and expertise. At the national level, Clean Cities provides a vast array of information resources, financial assistance, technical expertise, online tools, and networking opportunities. At the local level, Clean Cities coordinators tailor projects and activities to meet the unique needs of communities and their stakeholders. Clean Cities coalitions serve as forums for local stakeholders to connect and collaborate. Through coalitions, stakeholders learn from one another’s experiences, replicate one another’s successes, and collaborate on projects and events. By collaborating on alternative fuel deployment projects, stakeholders can create economies of scale and tipping points of demand that help transform local markets.
About Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (http://www.dnr.louisiana.gov)
The Clean Fuel Partnership is supported by the Louisiana Dept. of Natural Resources’ (LDNR’s) Technology Assessment Division, Louisiana’s State Energy Office. The mission of LDNR is to ensure and promote sustainable and responsible use of the natural resources of our state so that they are available for the enjoyment and benefit of our citizens now and in the future, and to preserve and enhance the nonrenewable natural resources of the state, consisting of land, water, oil, gas and other minerals through conservation, regulation, management and development to ensure that the state of Louisiana realizes appropriate economic benefit from its asset base. Within LDNR, the State Energy Office promotes the efficient use and management of energy in the state. It helps maximize Louisiana’s energy potential by exploring all energy sources and by reducing current energy consumption through education, energy-use studies, and demonstrations of energy-efficient technologies. LDNR’s State Energy Office also serves as the primary manager of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
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Clean Fleet Award Winners
(in order of greatest to least GGE reductions)
1. Regional Transit Authority
2. John W. Stone Oil Distributor
3. United Parcel Service
4. Metro Service Group
5. Waste Connections
6. Rotolo Consultants
7. New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
8. Jefferson Transit
9. Entergy
10. City of New Orleans
11. Regional Planning Commission
12. Port of New Orleans
13. Airport Shuttle
14. Bike Easy
15. Big Easy Travel Plaza
16. Doctor Pipe
17. Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
18. Waste Pro USA
19. New Orleans EMS
20. New Orleans City Park
21. Abita Brewing Company
22. ChargePoint
23. Park ‘N Fly
24. Coca Cola Bottling Company United
25. Limousine Livery
26. Nissan North America
27. Solar Alternatives
28. IV Waste
29. Jefferson Parish
30. Small’s Lawn Care
