| September 30, 2009
Individuals and organizations will be celebrated for their contributions to
cleaner air at the 2009 Clean Air Awards, presented by the South Coast Air
Quality Management District (AQMD). The awards luncheon will commence at
11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 in the Crystal Ballroom at the Millennium
Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The event will be emceed by Bruce
Hensel, M.D., KNBC-TV’s Emmy Award-winning medical, health and science
reporter and editor. AQMD will honor 11 Clean Air Award recipients for
achievement in technological, transportation, community, public education
and environmental stewardship initiatives.
“Southern California residents can all breathe a little easier, thanks to
the tireless and inspiring efforts of this year’s Clean Air Award
recipients,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D., chairman of AQMD’s Governing
Board. “We are humbled and honored to be recognizing them for their
achievements toward healthier air.”
The 2009 Clean Air Awards winners are:
Inaugural S. Roy Wilson Memorial Award for Leadership in Government
S. Roy Wilson, Ed.D.
S. Roy Wilson, Ed.D., former Riverside County Supervisor and Vice Chairman
of the AQMD Governing Board, first joined AQMD’s Board in December 1987 and
worked diligently toward enhanced environmental and economic health for all
Southern Californians for more than two decades. He passed away on Aug. 26.
Among his clean air contributions, Wilson led trailblazing efforts to help
AQMD partner with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments on the
Coachella Valley PM10 attainment effort. He addressed unhealthy fugitive
dust from the evaporating Salton Sea and partnered with fellow AQMD Board
Members to bring alternative fuel infrastructure and vehicles to the greater
Inland Empire region. He strongly supported co-funding actions to help
industries capture emerging global markets for low-emission technologies and
products and helped advance zero-emission technologies such as solar energy
and fuel cells.
In honor of his tireless dedication toward improving the well-being and
quality of life for all Southern California residents, the governmental
service award category is being newly inaugurated as the S. Roy Wilson
Memorial Award for Leadership in Government. Wilson has been posthumously
selected as the initial recipient of this award.
Robert M. Zweig, M.D. Memorial Award
Rob S. McConnell, M.D.
Professor of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC
Dr. Rob McConnell has conducted groundbreaking studies that establish a
clear association between childhood asthma and environmental triggers. He
has studied the effects of regional air pollution on permanently reduced
lung function in Southern California children, as well as the link between
vehicle emissions and increased rates of children’s asthma in residential
areas close to main roads.
Beyond his scientific studies, Dr. McConnell educates health care providers
about air quality impacts, conducts public outreach to increase awareness
about the vulnerability of children to air pollution, and partners with
community groups to highlight policies that safeguard children’s health.
Prior to his academic career at USC, Dr. McConnell worked with the Centers
for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and other non-profit
organizations.
Advancement Of Air Pollution Technology Award
Port of Long Beach & BP America
Oil Tanker Shore Power Operation
On June 3, a BP oil tanker at berth in the Port of Long Beach (POLB) became
the first in BP’s worldwide fleet to switch from onboard diesel generators
burning 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel a day to lower-emission, grid-based
electricity. The newly outfitted BP tanker and new POLB berth infrastructure
reduces as much harmful NOx emissions each day as would be eliminated by
taking 187,000 cars off the road.
Ocean-going ships typically run their auxiliary engines around-the-clock
while docked in order to power onboard equipment. The tanker/berth
electricity upgrade provides the balanced benefits of needed fuel and
reduced health risks. The BP terminal is POLB’s second dock equipped with
shore power, but the first such facility in the world for “liquid bulk”
ships that transport liquids including petroleum.
Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc.
Advanced Maritime Emissions Control System (AMECS)
In July, Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc. (ACTI) partnered with AQMD, the
California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the ports of Long Beach and Los
Angeles to successfully demonstrate the Advanced Maritime Emissions Control
System (AMECS). The AMECS consists of an engineered “bonnet” secured to the
exhaust stack of a ship at berth to collect emissions. The system includes a
dock-mounted emission treatment system to remove more than 95% of harmful
gases.
The “bonnet” capture system provides an alternative tool for controlling
ships’ diesel generator emissions where so-called “cold ironing”
(shore-based electrical power) is not feasible. The emission treatment
system utilizes equipment to remove pollutants from the stacks as well as
emissions from ships’ boilers. Headquartered in Rancho Dominguez near the
Alameda Corridor, ACTI is an example of a local business that generates both
economic and environmental benefits.
Innovative Transportation Projects Award
UPS
Route Optimization System
On any given day, UPS delivers more than 15 million packages and documents
in 200 countries, with their trucks amassing approximately 2.5 billion miles
a year. Though the century-old business has long focused on fuel
conservation, their entire delivery network is now continuously
re-engineered for greater environmental and efficiency benefits, including
use of a proprietary route optimization system.
By pairing low-tech systems innovation with high-tech software innovation,
UPS has been able to chart savings in time, fuel, and environmental impacts
all at once. The route planning system, sometimes referred to as “Right-Turn
Protocol,” uses recorded data of time spent turning left against oncoming
traffic. These left turns impose higher costs by using more fuel and time,
as well as running an increased accident risk. In 2007, drivers guided by
software-mapped routes shaved off an additional 30 million miles from
delivery routes, saved 3 million gallons of fuel, and reduced overall CO2
emissions by 32,000 metric tons. These improved routes have the equivalent
air quality benefit of removing 5,300 passenger cars from the road for an
entire year.
Model Community Achievement
City of Monrovia
Monrovia Environmental Accords
The City of Monrovia has taken a comprehensive approach to environmental
sustainability by adopting the Monrovia Environmental Accords, an umbrella
policy containing a series of long-term goals and objectives that will make
the San Gabriel Valley more environmentally friendly and sustainable. A
Green Team comprised of representatives from every city department developed
21 action items that focus on a variety of key environmental areas.
The city has made a commitment to clean air by adopting a low-emission
vehicle acquisition policy that will help reduce smog-forming and carbon
emissions. The city recently purchased a hybrid vehicle for use by the
Monrovia fire department, and electric utility vehicles for use by customer
service staff. Regional efforts include membership in the San Gabriel Valley
Energy Wise Partnership and various San Gabriel Valley Council of Government
subcommittees that provide public education, distribute energy-saving
devices, and conduct energy efficiency tune-ups for homes and small
businesses.
Promotion of Good Environmental Stewardship
Green Valley Initiative (GVI)
for the Inland Empire
The vision of the Green Valley Initiative (GVI) is to see the Inland Empire
region embrace a green technology focus that draws upon existing local
strengths. Launched in June 2007, the initiative is a public-private
partnership effort that represents the tangible outcome of a facilitated,
collaborative discussion process among more than 500 leaders from area city,
tribal and county governments and agencies, academic institutions, school
districts, utilities, business, cultural and environmental groups, media
representatives, and the community-at-large.
One of the initiative’s current major focuses is to link green technologies
with the trade and logistics industry, which includes trucking and shipping,
warehousing, packaging and recycling. GVI has been formally endorsed by both
counties and more than 30 cities and other agencies thus far.
West Long Beach Association (WLBA)
The West Long Beach Association was founded in 1979 to combat air pollution
and provide a voice for the residents of its multicultural community. It has
become a vital environmental advocacy group for residents whose neighborhood
is downwind from the ports and bordered by rail yards, freeways and large
industrial sources.
When a truck loading facility was being proposed in their neighborhood WLBA
members began a letter-writing campaign and attended community meetings to
share their concerns. As a result, the project was diverted. WLBA had an
effect on other environmental issues that impact the neighborhood, including
air quality impacts from petroleum coke piles and the reuse of neighboring
industrial sites. WBLA’s involvement in such issues has engaged residents of
West Long Beach in the decision-making process and has empowered them to
play an active role in the future of their neighborhood. Many of WLBA’s
members have been appointed to city boards and commissions.
Public Education on Air Quality Issues
John Zavalney
Science expert, Los Angeles Unified School District
John Zavalney is currently a science advisor at San Pedro Math & Science
Technology Center, and has served as the secondary school science advisor
for the Los Angeles Unified School District since September 2004. Prior to
that, Zavalney spent 16 years as a science teacher at Foshay Learning Center
in South Los Angeles. Making learning fun, he started a partnership with the
U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife to find safe harbor for animals smuggled
into the country. He created a “zoo” in his classroom, where he uses animals
to stimulate learning about adaptation, habitat and endangered animal
regulation.
He participates as a teacher, trainer, facilitator, or representative for
leading global, national, and local environmental education programs
including Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots; GLOBE; Project Learning Tree;
Project Wild; Project Wet and Save our Seas. In 2007, he was trained by
former Vice President Al Gore and his staff to serve as a speaker
representing Gore’s Nobel- Prize winning documentary film “An Inconvenient
Truth.” To date, he has made more than 150 global warming presentations
throughout the United States and Mexico. Zavalney also volunteers his time
to present a carbon footprint workshop for schools and community groups.
Susan LaCombe, R.N. (retired)
Nursing Services Asthma Program, Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has an estimated 63,000 students
with asthma. For nine years, Susan LaCombe managed LAUSD’s Nursing Services
Asthma Program and worked with the schools, nurses, students and their
families to improve asthma management by reducing exposure to asthma
triggers. Beginning with campuses that are located adjacent to freeways,
large industries and other high traffic areas, the program assists school
staff in identifying students whose asthma is poorly controlled.
LaCombe has worked with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and
County of Los Angeles USC Medical Center to bring the Breathmobile mobile
asthma clinics to LAUSD schools. She obtained additional grant funding to
expand the asthma program and its efforts to improve air quality. She has
worked collaboratively with the American Lung Association to educate
elementary students with asthma through the Open Airways Program. The
program has also been expanded to educate physical education teachers.
Metro Commute Services
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
services one of the country’s largest and most populous counties. Since
1998, AQMD Rule 2202 - On Road Motor Vehicle Mitigation Options - has
required large companies to implement an Employee Commute Reduction Program.
To assist employers in implementing such a program, Metro staff designed the
PlanMaker CD to provide step-by-step instructions on how to develop a
rideshare plan. The PlanMaker CD allows companies to customize a rideshare
program based upon the employer and employee needs. Metro also lists
recommendations on the most effective tools and programs that align with
AQMD’s Rule 2202 requirements.
The Rideshare PlanMaker CD and web link are available free of charge, and it
has been widely distributed to over 2,200 employers and organizations and to
1,500 area employee transportation coordinators. Neighboring counties have
expressed interest in duplicating the PlanMaker CD for distribution to their
area employers.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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