2009 National NGV Achievement Award Winners Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Washington DC; Acworth, GA) NGVAmerica and the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation (CVEF), two organizations dedicated to increasing use of natural gas-powered vehicles to improve air quality, lessen dependence on foreign oil and reduce fleet operator costs, have announced the 2009 winners of the prestigious Annual NGV Achievement Awards. The awards are given to persons and organizations in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the advancement of natural gas as a vehicular fuel.
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The 2009 NGV Achievement Award winners are:
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AT&T – NGV Fleet Deployment and Public Outreach Program After conducting a thorough investigation of natural gas vehicle options, benefits and supply chain availability, AT&T decided in early 2008 to field test 25 CNG-powered installation-and-service (I&R) vans in several of their California depots. After deploying the units and evaluating their performance, AT&T announced in early 2009 that it would replace approximately 8,000 gasoline powered service vehicles with vehicles powered by CNG over the next five years as part of a larger program to deploy 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles by 2019. AT&T’s decision represents the largest U.S. corporate commitment to CNG vehicles to date. The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) estimates that AT&T’s CNG vehicles will save 49 million gallons of gasoline and reduce carbon emissions by 25% - or an equivalent of approximately 211,000 metric tons over their 10 year deployment period. CAR also estimates that AT&T’s decision will help create or save more than 1000 jobs. AT&T is also looking into fueling infrastructure options, working with equipment and service providers to potentially build up to 40 new fueling locations to service their fleet. AT&T’s decision has prompted many businesses across North America to investigate NGV option for their own fleet needs. “AT&T’s decision to move forward with this substantial NGV deployment and station development program is exemplary of their overall corporate environmental leadership in America,” said NGVAmerica President Richard Kolodziej. “Fleets that may have waited to take advantage of the NGV opportunity previously are now re-evaluating this option, thanks to AT&T’s forward-thinking decision.” CVEF President Doug Horne concurs. “AT&T is known for its critical thinking and investing in technologies that advance its business, while maintaining and enhancing environmental stewardship of the communities it serves. The decision to begin replacing their current fleet inventory with CNG-powered vehicles intertwines these mutually achievable missions.”
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Robert Carrick – Daimler Natural Gas Truck Commercialization Program
Bob Carrick, Western Region Vocational Truck Manager – Natural Gas, Freightliner Truck (a Daimler Truck NA company), has been a tireless and dedicated advocate for development and commercialization of Daimler’s natural gas trucks. He is largely responsible for the program’s success, first leading the team that introduced the Sterling Setback truck powered by Cummins Westport Inc.’s (CWI) LNG ISL-G engine in 2008, then successfully shepherding the effort as it transitioned to Freightliner Truck in late 2008 when Daimler discontinued the Sterling brand. Bob spearheaded the Sterling team effort that put more than 100 LNG trucks into service in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Recognizing the success of the initial Sterling effort and the potential for additional sales in other platforms, Bob spearheaded the team at Freightliner Truck to keep the momentum going forward, rolling out a factory built Freightliner M112 Business Class truck in early 2009. While the first Freightliner units are powered by LNG to fulfill the remaining and new orders by the ports, Bob and his team announced that the M2 would be available in CNG and in straight-truck applications as well, greatly expanding the potential market for these natural gas trucks. “It’s imperative that we increase our medium and heavy-duty truck offerings, especially from the OEMs, if we are to achieve our full market potential,” said CVEF President Doug Horne. “Bob’s guidance and perseverance, both at Sterling and then at Freightliner, have been invaluable.” NGVAmerica President Richard Kolodziej agrees. “It takes an internal champion like Bob Carrick, communicating customer needs and preferences to engineering, coordinating with suppliers, and putting the sales and marketing pieces in place. Bob was that champion and we appreciate his efforts.”
Chesapeake Energy Corporation – Natural Gas Fleet and Public Outreach Program
Chesapeake Energy Corporation has been instrumental in increasing national awareness for natural gas vehicles’ energy security, environmental and economic benefits through a variety of activities including advertising and other media outreach, legislative advocacy and educational programs. In addition, they’ve deployed NGVs in their own work fleet, offered NGVs to their employees through an innovative lease program, and coordinated with other natural gas exploration and production (E&P) companies working in the same shale areas to develop common fueling infrastructure. Chesapeake Energy’s CNG NOW campaign reaches millions of people through newspaper ads, television commercials and an extensive web site. Their establishment and support of the American Clean Skies Foundation and the Foundation’s Clean Skies TV Network also provides a platform from which to feature NGV benefits and successful fleet operations. On the legislative front, Chesapeake Energy staff has educated federal and state policymakers about NGVs and effective legislative initiatives that will accelerate NGV market adoption. Chesapeake Energy also partially underwrites some of CVEF’s “Compelling Case for NGVs” workshops, providing local logistical support, promotion and media coverage. Chesapeake’s CNG team also took the lead in encouraging other E&P companies to support of NGV market development and join NGVAmerica. “Chesapeake’s dedicated hard-working staff has infused incredible energy into the NGV market, employing creativity, resourcefulness and a “can-do” attitude that is second to none,” said NGVAmerica President Richard Kolodziej. “Chesapeake’s support of CVEF and NGVAmerica programs – both financially and with staff resource -- and their willingness to carry the message to others in the natural gas E&P community has been especially critical” said CVEF President Doug Horne.
The City of Culver City, CA – NGV Fleet Deployment and CNG Station Program.
When Culver City was planning for the reconstruction of its Transportation Facility in 1996, city leaders made the decision to start replacing diesel and gasoline vehicles with CNG (compressed natural gas)-powered vehicles whenever possible – a step taken in advance of state-mandated clean air rules. Since then, Culver City has been a progressive leader in its commitment to using CNG as its fuel of choice for its entire fleet. Their current roster of 93 CNG vehicles, which includes 52 buses, 15 refuse trucks, 22 light-duty vehicles, and 4 heavy-duty public works trucks, fuels at the City’s dedicated CNG station, displacing nearly 800,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel and saving taxpayers more than $1.2 million dollars per year. In fact, nearly 80% of the City’s medium- and heavy-duty fleet is now CNG-powered, a decision that has removed more than 2100 tons of CO2 (a greenhouse gas) and 40 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides over the past eight years alone. After initially deploying 20 CNG buses in 1998, the Culver City Bus fleet eventually completed replacement of all its diesel buses by 2006, becoming the first 100% CNG transit fleet in the South Coast Air Quality Management District - and just the second in the state. Other “firsts” include the City’s CNG-powered asphalt truck, sewer truck and other vocational trucks, none of which were available until fleet staff worked with manufacturers to develop new engine/chassis specifications – applications that have since been improved upon and offered to other cities. The City’s CNG fleet program was a major factor in its #2 Best Green Fleet in North America – 2008 ranking by the Top 100 Fleets Certification Program. “As an early adopter of NGV technology, Culver City has built upon experience to build a successful NGV program and they’ve shared their insights and experiences with others. This type of leadership is worthy of our industry’s recognition and thanks,” said CVEF President Doug Horne. “Culver City’s commitment to NGVs -- as evidenced by their elected officials’ and administrative managements’ support and their staff’s program execution -- is commendable” said NGVAmerica President Richard Kolodziej.
T. Boone Pickens – Pickens Plan
T. Boone Pickens is a world-renown successful oilman, investor and business visionary who is known for speaking his mind, and, when he does, people take notice. For more than a decade, Pickens has taken an active interest in development of a more robust, sustainable NGV market. In mid-2008, alarmed at America’s dangerous growing addiction to foreign oil and politicians’ inability to deal with it effectively, Pickens introduced his “Pickens Plan,” a comprehensive energy use transition strategy that advocates greater use of renewable energy sources for power production, increased energy efficiency practices by Americans in their homes and businesses, and transition away from petroleum –based transportation technologies to those powered by natural gas. A strong proponent of NGVs, Pickens has invested a significant amount of his time, energy and personal fortune to take the message directly to the American people to demand change and expect better of its policymakers on Capitol Hill, at the White House and in State Houses across the country. His message has created a ground-swell of support. The multi-faceted Pickens Plan mechanism incorporates a grass-roots base that’s been energized into action at the local, state and regional level. Picken’s speaking engagements at national trade conventions, appearances on television news shows and advertisements in major market newspapers and television stations have raised awareness of the problem and elevated public discourse, creating a much more visible platform for the positive NGV message. “Boone has the unique ability to garner the critical attention and exposure necessary to raise the discussion to new levels,” said NGVAmerica President Richard Kolodziej. “The ‘Pickens Plan’ is the right message at the right time – and Boone is the right man to drive it home to all the American public.” “Boone’s personal investment in raising public awareness about the dangers of our reliance on imported oil and the solution right beneath our feet with America’s abundant natural gas is immeasurable,” said CVEF President Doug Horne.
The awards were presented Monday September 21 at the Annual NGV Conference-Summit in Long Beach, CA.
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