Press Release: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Industry Excellence Awards Announced

Release Date: April 21, 2009

Contact:  Kimberly Taylor

702-203-4982

KTaylor@afvi.org

  


 

 

 

ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE INSTITUTE INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS ANNOUNCED

honorees range from clean Cities to the san Pedro bay ports 

 

Las Vegas, NV - Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) recognized
outstanding leadership in the alternative fuels and vehicles industry as
part of the 15th national Alternative Fuels & Vehicles Conference + Expo
2009. The awards honor excellence in individuals and/or organizations that
have advanced the use of alternative fuels, vehicles or advanced
technologies resulting in clean alternatives to petroleum. The AFVi 2009
award winners are as follows:

 

20/20 Vision Award:  Mario Cordero, immediate Past President of the Port of
Long Beach, CA, and S. David Freeman, President, of the Port of Los Angeles
Board of Harbor Commissioners, accepted the award for their cooperative
leadership, strength of purpose, and powerful vision, in shaping landmark
policy through their combined San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan
(CAAP). Under the plan, the fifth largest seaport complex in the world is
now working with drayage truck owners to replace old trucks that can cut
truck related air pollution by 80% by 2012. The plan, at times highly
contentious, is a bellwether for other ports worldwide seeking trade growth
that runs parallel with environmental stewardship.

 

Golden Bullet Award:  Joe Jobe is the tour de force unifier behind the
national effort to bring the biodiesel industry together to advance the use
of biodiesel in our nation's fleets. For twelve years he has blended his
searing intelligence, political savvy, personal style, and endless passion
to elevate the National Biodiesel Board, and subsequently the industry. Not
one to shy from conflict, Mr. Jobe faces head-on would be foes from the
Grocery Manufacturers Association to those embracing what he calls "junk
science." With biodiesel production projected to increase to one billion
gallons by 2012, Joe Jobe remains the Golden Bullet for the industry.

 

Green Fleet Award:  When the San Pedro Bay Ports crafted a clean air policy,
Victor La Rosa, President of Total Transportation Services, Inc. (TTSI), was
the first in line with alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to operate in
full-time drayage service at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. TTSI
has invested $15 million in LNG trucks and plans to replace half of its
300-truck fleet with AFVs. Mr. La Rosa appreciates the business case, but
equally compelling is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 20% and a
75% NOX reduction compared to the diesel vehicles being replaced. "We all
have a responsibility to protect the environment," said Mr. La Rosa.

  

Green Giant Award:  T. Boone Pickens once said, "A fool with a plan can
outsmart a genius with no plan." Less than one year ago, he set out to show
what a genius with a plan can do. In July of last year, the octogenarian
proved that age is no barrier when it comes to remaking yourself, by
launching the "Pickens Plan." He has mastered political communication using
a social networking campaign that has attracted 1.4 million supporters
organized around wind, solar and natural gas. AFVi awards Mr. Pickens the
Green Giant Award for focusing national attention on natural gas for
transportation as a key tenet in lessening U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

 

Invention and Innovation Award (Heavy-Duty):  Vancouver based Westport
Innovations is a leading developer of advanced engines that run on natural
gas and other gaseous fuels. Michael Gallagher joined the company in 2003,
after working for pre-eminent firms like Bechtel Group and Fluor
Corporation. As President and COO, Dr. Gallagher's commitment to the
development of alternative energy and environmental cleanup technologies is
paying off. His tireless work with customers, industry partners and policy
makers has given alternative fuel vehicles using Westport engines a
competitive advantage in the truck market. Today, even in a tough market,
the innovative engine manufacturer is realizing significant sales, growing
demand and general market acceptance globally for natural gas as a clean
alternative to petroleum.

 

Invention and Innovation Award (Light-Duty):  The Toyota Prius entered the
U.S. marketplace in 2001 and changed the makeup of the world's fleet of
vehicles. Like all good new ideas, it met internal resistance early on, only
to pay off as a top seller in the U.S. market. The Prius is sold in more
than 40 countries and regions and, since it was first introduced in the
United States, more than 1.2 million Prius have been sold worldwide. With
the launch of the 2010 Prius, which gets 50 MPG and is among the cleanest
vehicles sold in the United States, Toyota plans to introduce ten new hybrid
models globally by 2012. In an evolving new vehicle market, Toyota has set
the bar for eco-supremacy.

 

Oxygen Award:  School districts across the country have found an affordable
and environmentally friendly school bus option in the Blue Bird VISION. The
Vision is the first full-size, dedicated propane-powered school bus to be
offered by a major manufacturer in the United States since 2002. Dangerous
exhaust from school bus tailpipes can be significantly reduced by using
alternative fuels, like propane. Blue Bird has invested in a bus that
reduces NOx, CO, particulate matter and VOC emissions by as much as 83%-99%.
Rusty Mitchell, Product Management Director, accepted the award saying,
"This is a solution to go green and a means to reduce fuel costs for school
districts."

 

Prescient Pioneer Award:  Mike Scarpino worked for twelve years as a nuclear
engineer before accepting a position in 1997 with the U.S. Department of
Energy's Clean Cities Program. The program facilitates the work of 90
coalitions located in cities throughout the country to assist public and
private fleets as they transition to alternative fuels. For twelve years
Mike has been on hand to assist the national program and local coalitions as
they've weathered budget threats, low gasoline prices, and erratic
incentives. Through it all, his seasoned eye has been on the power of
communities working together to create a new, clean way to fuel America's
vehicle fleets. His leadership, humor, and intelligence have played a
crucial part in the strength of the national program.

 

About AFVi

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute is an entrepreneurial organization that
works through industry to bring people in need of proven transportation
technologies together with those who can meet their needs. AFVi is the
education provider and information link between the alternative fuels and
vehicles industry and public/private fleets. AFVi is fuel and technology
neutral. www.afvi.org

 

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Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute

6771 W. Charleston Blvd, Ste C

Las Vegas, NV 89146-1049

702-254-4180

afvi@afvi.org