Game Time at Reliant Stadium: First-String Fleet Owners Tackle Air Pollution

HOUSTON, Nov. 18, 2003 -- Major fleet owners from around the nation huddled today at Reliant Stadium to attend Advancing the Choice, a workshop that teaches guests how to tackle air pollution by converting their fleets into more environmentally friendly vehicles. This Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles initiative gave attendees the opportunity to discover the latest emission- reduction technologies, test-drive converted trucks and buses, learn about funding opportunities, and prepare for the federal government's upcoming deadlines on clean-engine alterations.

"The Houston-Galveston Area Council is proud to sponsor this workshop through our Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles program," stated H-GAC Executive Director Jack Steele. "Currently, our region is suffering from the horrible effects of air pollution, including increased health problems, an economic downturn and the threat of losing nearly $1 billion annually in federal transportation funding. Providing funding and teaching fleet owners how to convert their heavy-duty diesel trucks into more environmentally friendly vehicles is an imperative step toward improving air quality."

In the Houston-Galveston region, vehicles are responsible for about half of the nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compound emissions, which cause air pollution. Under the Federal Clean Air Act, this area has until 2007 to meet the health standard for ground-level ozone smog; otherwise, taxpayers will suffer the loss of nearly $1 billion in annual transportation funding. In addition to this potential monetary setback, our region's non-attainment status continues to greatly restrict expansion and enhancement of infrastructure, as well as the cause the loss of potential jobs.

Advancing the Choice helped fleet owners learn about all the options available to help them mitigate the air pollution problem. The event featured numerous transportation and environmental technology experts, including Shirley A. DeLibero, president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO); Michael Block, the keynote speaker from Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM); and various fleet owners and managers from leading organizations such as H-E-B, the City of Houston and Silver Eagle Distributors. The workshop also included outdoor exhibits during the event featuring the latest and most advanced emission reduction technology from leading vendors across the country. Additionally, Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles presented METRO with an $11.5 million reimbursement check for the conversion of its fleet, including four new hybrid buses and 593 EGR kit buses.

The event concluded with recognition of area Clean Air Leaders -- companies that have already taken steps to help the Houston-Galveston region improve its air quality by converting their fleets. These environmental role models include HISD, the City of Houston, the City of Lake Jackson, Alvin ISD, H-E-B, Waste Management, United Parcel Service, METRO, and Silver Eagle Distributors. These clean-engine fleets combined will reduce 923.5 tons of harmful nitrous oxides (NOx) from our air each year!

Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles provides funding and assistance to area businesses and local governments for conversion of their fleets into clean vehicles and the creation of necessary fueling infrastructures. To date, the regional program allocated more than $25.3 million for the latest technology in fuel advancements and emission controls in order to improve air quality in the Houston-Galveston region. For more details on H-GAC's air quality programs, visit www.cleanairaction.org .

H-GAC is a voluntary association of local governments in the 13-county Gulf Coast Planning Region, including Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller and Wharton counties. Since 1966, it has promoted regional cooperation through comprehensive planning and services and has provided a forum to discuss area-wide concerns. For more information on H-GAC, please visit www.h-gac.com .