U.S. Postal Service Receives CALSTART's Top 1998 Blue Sky Award
9 February 1999
United States Postal Service Receives CALSTART's Top 1998 Blue Sky Award for Leadership in Use of Clean Vehicles
PASADENA, Calif.--Feb. 8, 1999--
Merit Awards for Industry Leadership to:
Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District; Paul MacCready,
AeroVironment; Alan Cocconi, AC Propulsion; Joan Kiteley, Washington
Elementary School District; Gary Starr, ZAP Power Systems
The United States Postal Service (USPS), with its large-scale, clean fuel vehicle-fleet, has won the 1998 Blue Sky Award(TM). The award is presented each year by CALSTART -- the advanced-transportation organization -- to recognize outstanding marketplace contributions to advanced, sustainable transportation that cleans the air, improves energy efficiency and helps reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
The USPS was recognized in particular for its fleet of more than 7,500 clean-burning natural gas vehicles (NGVs) -- the largest fleet of low-polluting, alternative-fuel vehicles in the nation.
Also of great importance was the fact that the USPS has been the only government agency to meet its clean-fuel vehicle obligations under national Energy Policy Act (EPAct) requirements, as well as the agency's enthusiastic support of clean vehicle efforts in the Coachella Valley Clean Cities program and elsewhere.
"The United States Postal Service's commitment to using clean vehicles is commendable and serves as a model for all fleets and government agencies," said Michael J. Gage, president and chief executive officer of CALSTART.
"Fleets -- especially public fleets -- can and should lead the way to the future. The USPS has shown this leadership and the vision to make it happen. This Blue Sky Award makes clear that people are noticing their efforts -- and should encourage other fleets to do the same."
Five Blue Sky Merit Award(TM) winners were also announced for 1998. The awards were presented to individuals and organizations for significant, career-long contributions to advanced transportation in innovation, bringing clean-fuel vehicles to market, and helping increase awareness of their need. In alphabetical order:
-- Alan Cocconi of AC Propulsion was selected because of the
important, industry-spanning alliance he recently forged with
Volkswagen AG -- and the resulting multi-year, EV development
program that emerged. His continuous and original innovation --
dating from the original GM Impact -- has marked many projects.
He has worked extensively on solar-powered vehicles, and holds
numerous patents concerning electric vehicle drive system and
recharge electronics.
-- Joan Kiteley of Phoenix's Washington Elementary School District
was selected because of her hard work and original ideas that
helped fund clean fuel school bus purchases. By working with
lawmakers, advertising on school buses was permitted to generate
income used to buy natural gas-powered buses. In addition to
opening a natural gas refueling station, she has been
instrumental in the promotion of alternative fuels as a solution
to air pollution problems statewide.
-- Paul MacCready of AeroVironment was selected because of his
leadership as a designer in the electric and hybrid-electric
vehicle industry, development work on high-power fast charging,
and his commitment to the creation of electric-vehicle
infrastructure throughout the country. MacCready is known for his
work on a large number of influential projects, including
development of the General Motors "Impact" -- which served as the
prototype for today's EV1. He led significant efforts developing
both solar-powered vehicles and aircraft, and has been recognized
with numerous engineering and aeronautical awards.
-- The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District was selected for
its commitment to a world-leading -- and the world's largest --
electric-bus fleet, its contribution to fast-charging
development, and for its highly visible role educating transit
riders, tourists and others about the benefits of zero-emission
vehicles. The transit district has played a world-leading role in
using electric buses as a solution to local transportation
problems that have helped shape Santa Barbara's environmental
reputation.
-- Gary Starr of ZAP Power Systems was selected because of his
long-standing commitment to advanced transportation, and his
success in the worldwide promotion of alternative-fuel vehicles.
He has been instrumental in the marketing of more than 20,000
electric vehicles -- a greater number than any other non-Tier 1
manufacturer. He has also been recognized for his efforts by the
American Lung Association of San Francisco and U.S. Sen. Barbara
Boxer, and has made more than 300 radio and television
appearances.
"This diverse, eclectic group of merit award winners reflects the maturity of the advanced-transportation industry, and marks its incredible progress over the last half decade," noted Gage. "They've been tenacious and innovative, proving that individuals with vision and ideas can make a huge difference."
Members of the Blue Sky Award(TM) selection committee are made up of representatives from industry as well as environmental organizations, including CALSTART businesses and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Union of Concerned Scientists and the Coalition for Clean Air. Nominations are open for next year's award via fax, mail and CALSTART's Web site (www.calstart.org).
CALSTART is an advanced transportation technologies organization that focuses on developing new, clean technologies and solutions in transportation. Working with private partners worldwide, CALSTART provides technology development and demonstration, industry analysis, marketing, business development and fleet implementation services.
Its expertise includes electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and fuel-cell technologies.