October 14, 2019 | Baton Rouge, LA - Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF) announced the winners of the Clean Fuel Leader Awards on Wednesday evening, October 9, 2019, at a welcome reception held in conjunction with the Clean Fuels Summit. LCF, a designated US Department of Energy Clean Cities Coalition, awards outstanding alternative fuel users in the organization’s territory each year. These awards recognize the exceptional achievements of Louisiana Clean Fuels stakeholders who have been working tirelessly to reduce petroleum consumption and emissions.
Ann Vail, Executive Director of LCF said, “This year I was overwhelmed by the level of cooperation and leadership we saw from our stakeholders. We are honored and humbled by their achievements to preserve our natural resources, reduce harmful emissions, and protect our nation’s energy security through the use of domestically produced alternative fuels and advanced technologies.”
Republic Services received the highest honor, Clean Fuel Champion, for reducing more than 19,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. Republic Services utilizes compressed natural gas (CNG) in LCF’s territory to fuel their refuse trucks. In addition, Republic Services reduces their emissions and fuel usage through other methods, including idle reduction, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction, and fuel economy improvements. The award was accepted by Steven Carville on behalf of Republic Services (pictured left).
“We are truly honored to receive this award,” said Sharon Mann, General Manager for Republic Services. “Our company is dedicated to the environment, and we are very proud of this accomplishment. We are dedicated to continuing to help our environment and looking forward to continuing our commitment along with saving the planet.”
United Parcel Service (UPS) received the Clean Fuel Champion Runner-Up award for the second-highest reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with over 800 tons reduced. UPS operates biodiesel, propane and natural gas vehicles within LCF’s territory, and the company has a major focus on corporate sustainability efforts. According to their sustainability report, their sustainability goals include sourcing 40% of their ground fuel from “low carbon or alternative fuels by 2025” and having 25% of their annual vehicle purchases be alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.
Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) was honored for their Corporate Leadership in recognition of their efforts to support the development of an electric vehicle charging 
corridor along our interstate highways. Their support of the Louisiana Clean Fuels DC Fast Charging Master Plan, Louisiana Electric Vehicle Road Show, and their efforts to rally their community leaders and the major utilities in the state to submit proposals for funding for chargers from the state’s Volkswagen Settlement plan.
“We’re proud to partner with Louisiana Clean Fuels and honored to receive the 2019 Corporate Leadership Award,” said Chelsea Adcock, Consumer Programs Marketing Coordinator for SWEPCO, who accepted the award on SWEPCO’s behalf (pictured right). “LCF has been a valuable resource as we determine the most effective and efficient way to bring electric vehicle infrastructure and hopefully, Electric Vehicle Alternative Fuels Corridors to Northwest Louisiana and its residents.”
The Paretti Family of Dealerships was recognized with the Dealership of the Year award for their continued work in promoting electric vehicles and their active participation in LCF’s events throughout the year. The Paretti Family of Dealerships has been a prominent sponsor of LCF’s Louisiana Electric Vehicle Roadshow in addition to showing their Jaguar I-PACE at several Road Show and National Drive Electric Week events.
“The Paretti Family of Dealerships is committed to the sustainability and the future of electrification transportation,” said Mike Rase, Vice President of the Paretti Family of Dealerships.” As we look at Jaguar and Land Rover’s long range production forecasts it’s easy to see that EV’s are here to stay. In fact, we have invested over $100,000 in EV infrastructure alone not to mention the training of multiple EV Specialists as well as technicians. It’s an honor to be receiving this special award.”
Waste Management’s Fleet was recognized as having the Largest Growth by Volume of alternative fuel usage. They grew their natural gas usage by more than 300,000 GGEs in 2018. The Most Improved Fleet Award went to Eagle Distributing of Shreveport for growing their alternative fuel usage by in 2018 by ten times over the previous year.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Secretary Dr. Chuck Carr Brown was recognized for his Leadership in Public Service, with special recognition of LDEQ’s diligent work on the Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement as well as their efforts with alternative fuel corridors. Louisiana has been one of the first states in the country to both implement and fund diesel emission reduction projects under the VW Settlement and to successfully work with their DOTD to get the major interstates approved for signage and get that signage installed under the FHWA’s Alternative Fuel Corridors program. Ann Vail presented the award to Dr. Brown (pictured left) at the reception.
“LDEQ supports the work Louisiana Clean Fuels does to promote the use of alternative fuels and zero emissions vehicles in our state,” Dr. Brown said. “We are all working toward a cleaner environment, and we have made great progress in Louisiana. LCF’s efforts have been key to achieving those gains.”
Other awards were given out as follows:
- Both Stone Oil and AmeriGas were awarded the “Top in Class” award for their Idle Reduction programs. Stone Oil reduces the emissions of marine vessels while they are docked in their ports by allowing the vessels to plug in to “shore power” and turn off their diesel engines. AmeriGas’s own idle reduction policies and equipment reduced the amount of fuel they wasted when the vehicles were parked, resulting in the largest fuel savings for any on-road fleet in our territory.
- Ferrel Gas was honored for reducing the most Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by simply optimizing their routes. This resulted in a massive reduction of fuel use for the company, not only reducing their fuel cost but also reducing the emissions that would have been emitted by driving the longer routes.
- Commuter Krewe was honored for their work to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles driving in the Baton Rouge area. Carpooling reduces the number of vehicles on the road and consequently helps reduce traffic congestion and vehicular emissions.
- The Entergy E-Tech program was awarded “Most Innovative Incentive Program” for their electrification rebate program for their utility customers. Entergy customers can easily apply for a rebate by simply replacing large gaseous equipment with electric ones (ex: electric forklifts) or by installing electric vehicle charging stations (level 2 or 3).
The following were also recognized for their efforts in reducing emissions and conserving fuel:
- Best Performing Municipality without Transit: St. Landry Parish
- Best Performing Municipality with Transit: Shreveport (SporTran)
- Best Performing School District: East Baton Rouge Parish
- Most CNG Used: Republic Services
- Most Propane Used: UPS
- Most E85 Used: LDEQ
- Most Renewable Natural Gas Used: Waste Connections
- Most Electric Used: SporTran
- Above and Beyond Award: Jeff Cantin, President of Solar Alternatives
- Community Spirit Award: Louisiana Tesla Owners and Dreamers Facebook Group
LCF Executive Director Ann Vail presented the awards and announced the winners at the event, which was sponsored by ROUSH CleanTech. LCF is proud to honor these outstanding organizations and to recognize the achievements of clean fuel stakeholders who have gone above and beyond in reaching their environmental and transportation goals.
For more information, please visit www.louisianacleanfuels.org. See all photos from the event here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hD8Z-aXHEg6NfwkJzq0siKZtDfxnFW_V?usp=sharing
Contact: Victoria Herrmann | [email protected] | 225-342-7972
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About Clean Cities: As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), Clean Cities coalitions foster the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by working locally to advance affordable, domestic transportation fuels, energy efficient mobility systems, and other fuel-saving technologies and practices. Since beginning in 1993, Clean Cities coalitions have achieved a cumulative impact in energy use equal to nearly 8 billion gasoline gallon equivalents through the implementation of diverse transportation projects. More information is available at www.cleancities.energy.gov.
About Louisiana Clean Fuels: Louisiana Clean Fuels is a US Department of Energy Clean Cities Coalition, supported by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and member organizations. We are a non-profit organization serving both public and private fleets for over 19 years. Our mission is to improve air quality and health, reduce environmental pollution and strengthen Louisiana’s economy by increasing the use of cleaner, domestic fuels and energy-saving vehicles. In 2018, Executive Director Ann Vail was inducted into the hall of fame. More information is available at www.louisianacleanfuels.org.
