ALTWHEELS FESTIVAL AND MASS. CLEAN CITIES COALITION ANNOUNCE 2006 AWARD WINNERS
Boston, MA - September 21, 2006 - *The AltWheels Alternative Transportation Festival and the Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition announce the winners of the 2006 AltWheels/Mass. Clean Cities Awards. The award recipients will be honored on Friday, September 22 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. during a public ceremony at Boston's City Hall Plaza. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino will participate in the awards ceremony as will either State Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen), co-chair of the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation, or State Senator Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester), a member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Christopher Lydon, former host of the NPR talk show "The Connection," will chair the awards.The objectives of the AltWheels/Mass. Clean Cities awards are to: /1) Provide a credible source of information on alternative transportation. 2) Recognize those individuals and groups who have perceived the challenge for our planet and have helped lead the way in creating solutions. 3) Create models for other individuals and groups who want to be part of the solution./
Here are the 6 prize categories as well as the 15 winners:
_*Four Largest Alternative Fuel Users in Massachusetts*_, based on the
number of compressed-natural-gas (CNG) gasoline-equivalent gallons
(GGEs) consumed in calendar 2005. Presented by Mike Manning, Account
Executive, Keyspan Energy Delivery.
Ø Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority: 4.4 million GGEs of
CNG for 360 CNG buses and 3 transit-duty CNG stations. Accepted by Dan
Grabauskas, General Manager, MBTA.
Ø Massachusetts Port Authority: 500,000 GGEs of CNG for 32 CNG
buses. Accepted by Tom Butler, Director of Massport's Office of
Government & Community Affairs.
Ø Massachusetts Highway Department: 140,000 GGEs of CNG for 239
CNG light-duty vehicles and 12 CNG stations. Accepted by Luisa
Paiewonsky, Commissioner, Mass. Highway Department.
Ø Lowell Regional Transit Authority: 80,000 GGEs of CNG for 9 CNG
buses. Accepted by Jim Scanlan, Administrator, LRTA.
_*Four Largest Renewable-Fuel Users in Massachusetts*_, based on the
number of gallons of renewable-fuel purchased in the first half of
2006: Presented by Ed Burke, CEO of Dennis K. Burke.
Ø City of Boston: 177,410 gallons of B5 ultra. Accepted by Boston
Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
Ø Massachusetts Water Resources Authority: 37,045 gallons of B20
diesel. Accepted by Frederick A. Laskey, Executive Director, MWRA.
Ø National Grid: 30,055 gallons of B20 diesel. Accepted by Paul J.
Zaremba, Manager, Fleet Assets, National Grid.
Ø Harvard University: 13,895 gallons of B20 diesel. Accepted by
David Harris, Fleet Manager Harvard University.
_*Massachusetts Municipalities with the Greatest Commitment to
Alternative Transportation*_, based on promotion of alternative fuels,
use of hybrids and alternative fuels, and commitment to educate the
public on these issues: Presented by Christopher Lydon.
Ø City of Boston: Accepted by Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
Ø City of Medford: Awarded to Mayor Michael J. McGlynn.
Ø City of Newton: Accepted by Mayor David Cohen.
_*Best Smart-Use Application*_, based on most cars taken off the road.
Presented by either Senator Steven A. Baddour or Senator Bruce E. Tarr.
Ø Zipcar. Accepted by Scott Griffith, CEO, Zipcar.
_*Best-Selling Alternative-Fuel Passenger Vehicle in New England*_,
based on state Registry of Motor Vehicles data and corporate sales
numbers. Presented by Jim Motavalli, Editor, /E: The Environmental
Magazine/.
Ø Toyota Prius. Accepted by Tim Morrison, Boston Regional General
Manager, Toyota Motor Sales.
/In addition to the AltWheels-Mass. Clean Cities Coalition Awards, the
following "Lifetime of Service Awards will be given./
_*Lifetime of service to increase planetary awareness*_, based on years
of service and impact, including publication of seminal works that shift
public perception. Presented by Jim Motavalli, Editor, /E: The
Environmental Magazine/.
Ø Professor E.O. Wilson
Author of more than 21 books and environmental pioneer, Professor Wilson
has won several major prizes, including the U.S. National Medal of
Science and two Pulitzer Prizes. He was also voted one of /Time/
magazine's 25 most influential people in America. His groundbreaking
research, original thinking, and scientific and popular writing have
changed the way humans think of nature and our place in it. Dr. Wilson
has pioneered thinking about biodiversity and environmental ethics. He
is currently working to protect many of the planet's critical biodiverse
regions and welcomes support to protect the critical centers on which
all life depends.
Ø Frances Moore Lappé
Author of 15 books, including the three-million-copy bestseller, /Diet
for a Small Planet/. Her most recent work, /Democracy's Edge: Choosing
to Save our Country by Bringing Democracy to Life/, completes a trilogy
that she began in 2002 and wrote with her daughter, Anna Lappé. In 2004.
France Moore Lappé published, with Jeffrey Perkins, /You Have the Power:
Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fea/r. Among Lappé's other books are
/World Hunger: Twelve Myths and Rediscovering America's Values/.
Currently, Lappé and her daughter, Anna, lead the Small Planet
Institute, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Frances Moore Lappé became
the fourth American to receive the Right Livelihood Award and is a
tireless pioneer of understanding the deep connections that we need to
embody in order to create a more sustainable world.
/Following the Awards Ceremony, will be photo opportunities with award
winners and many of their alternative vehicles, including the leading
alternative- and renewable-fuel vehicles./
*Schedule for the Awards Ceremony, including Speakers*
11:00 a.m. Welcoming Remarks.
* Simon Pitts, Executive Director, Ford-MIT Alliance.
* Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
* Either State Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen), co-chair of
the Mass. Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation, or
State Senator Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester), a member of the Senate
Committee on Ways and Means.
11:10 a.m. Presentation of Awards.
* Four largest alternative-fuel users in Massachusetts (presented by
Mike Manning).
* Four largest renewable-fuel users in Massachusetts (presented by
Ed Burke).
* Massachusetts municipalities with the greatest commitment to
alternative transportation (presented by Christopher Lydon).
* Best smart-use application (presented by either Senator Steven A.
Baddour or Senator Bruce E. Tarr).
* Best-selling alternative-fuel passenger vehicle in New England
(presented by Jim Motavalli).
* Lifetime of service to increase planetary awareness (presented by
Jim Motavalli).
11:30 a.m. Photo Opportunity with Award Winners and Alternative-Fuel
Vehicles
12:00 noon Visions of Hope (until 1:30 p.m.)
* Wisdom of the Earth: Professor E.O. Wilson.
* Eco-literacy: Peter Senge.
* Conquering Fear: Frances Moore Lappé.
* Finding Our Own Leadership: Lessons from Western and Indigenous
Communities: Ron Heifetz and Sousan Abadian.
/The 2006 AltWheels/Mass. Clean Cities Awards Committee includes:/ Ed
Burke, Dennis K. Burke; Barry Carr, Homeland Energy Development;
Stephen Connors, MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment; Sharon
Dingle, Awards Coordinator; Steven Jones-D'Agostino, "This New Car";
Gilles Labelle, Hybrid Center of Massachusetts; Kim Lundgren, ICLEI;
Mike Manning, Keyspan Energy Services; Jeremy Marin, formerly of the
Sierra Club; Graham Noyes, WorldEnergy; David Rand, Mass. Clean Cities
Coalition; Alison Sander, AltWheels Festival; and Jacki Wilkins, Massport.
*AltWheels Festival Overview*
The fourth annual AltWheels Alternative Transportation Festival takes
place on Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23 at Boston's City Hall
Plaza and on Sunday, September 24 at the Larz Anderson AutoMuseum in
Brookline. The three-day celebration offers a one-stop opportunity to
see more than 15 different, clean, effective transportation options that
you can buy now -- plus new technologies coming in the near future from
Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and other leading automakers.
During the Festival, the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium and
Children's Museum, all in Boston, are hosting informative, fun exhibits
on transportation and energy plus lots of interactive-learning
activities on how to create a more sustainable world.
Alternatives to the gasoline-fueled car have been around since the
1800s. Today, cars can get 60-plus miles per gallon and zero-emission
vehicles exist. AltWheels features more than 100 exhibits beating the
high cost and pollution associated with traditional gas- and
diesel-powered vehicles. Passenger vehicles on display will include
flex-fuel vehicles, the latest hybrid models, solar-powered and electric
cars, plug-in hybrids that can be charged with household electricity,
fuel-cell/hydrogen million-dollar prototype vehicles, vehicles that run
on compressed natural gas--including CNG home-refueling options - and
cars that run on used vegetable oil, biodiesel or ethanol. Non-auto
transportation options include rides on the Segway HT^(TM) scooter,
commuter bikes, electric scooters, bike-valet parking, and bike rides
from the site. AltWheels will also display historical vehicles,
including a 1920s Stanley Steamer and a 1914 Rauch and Lang electric
vehicle.
"This year, we are proud to introduce the first ethanol vehicles and
fuel-distribution options to Massachusetts," says AltWheels founder
Alison Sander. In addition to passenger vehicles, AltWheels will
showcase alternative-fuel buses, trucks and public transit as well as a
full display of bike, walking and other fitness options. Several of the
alternative-fuel vehicles will be offered at discount prices to Festival
participants. The Festival and Lawn Show are not just for adults.
Vehicle demonstrations will be coupled with fun, games, food,
entertainment and activities for the whole family.
The AltWheels Festival, the largest alternative-transportation showcase
on the East Coast, will circle Boston's Energy Freedom Trail^(TM), which
will connect to Boston's historic Freedom Trail^(TM) and offer resources
and practical ideas for drivers, homeowners, teachers, families,
politicians and citizens. with more than a week's worth of events. A
highlight of this year's Festival will be a chance to explore the
/AltWheels Admission./ Admission to the Festival is free on Friday and
Saturday, September 22 and 23 on Boston's City Hall Plaza, and $7 per
person on Sunday, September 24 at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in
Brookline. Admission to the Larz Anderson Auto Museum is included. There
is reduced admission for those arriving by cleaner-transportation options.
/AltWheels Fleet Day./ AltWheels will also host an invitation-only Fleet
Day event on Monday, September 25 at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum,
bringing industry and municipal fleet directors together to focus on the
challenges and benefits of incorporating alternative fuels into
commercial and government fleets. Fleet Day will offer case studies on
successful fleet conversions while providing information resources to
assist fleet managers in reducing their fuel costs and pollutant emissions.
/AltWheels Sponsors. /AltWheels's 30 plus sponsors include: Premier:
Ford Motor Co.;
Green: General Motors, Staples, Toyota and Volkswagen; Gold: American
Honda, Clean Energy, Keyspan Energy Delivery, Massport and Westboro
Toyota; Silver: AVSG, Boston Public Health Commission, CityView
Trolleys, Clair Toyota, Boston CleanAir Cabs, Dennis K. Burke, Greasecar
Vegetable Fuel Systems, Honda Village, Mass. Clean Cities Coalition, The
Mathworks, World Energy and Zipcar; Bronze: Azure Dynamics, Bank of
America, Bell Power Systems, Cummins, eGo Vehicles, Harvard Pilgrim
Health Care, Hythane, IBEW Local 103, Livable Streets Alliance, National
Association of Fleet Administrators, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Propane
Education & Research Council, Society of Automotive Engineers, UTC
Power, and WTS - Womens Transportation Seminar. Media Sponsors include:
/The Boston Glob/e, /E: The Environmental Magazine/, /Metro/, New
England Cable News, WBZ NewsRadio 1030, and WheelsTV.net.
We especially thank the City of Boston, the Larz Anderson Auto Museum,
the Museum of Science and MIT for hosting this year's AltWheels events.
In addition to these fine organizations, AltWheels thanks the more than
70 co-hosts and 150 volunteers who are helping put on AltWheels. These
organizations are listed at www.altwheels.org/who.html.
*For more information, please e-mail classic.pr@verizon.net or
info@altwheels.org,
call 508-698-6810, or visit www.altwheels.org.*