FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Clean Cities coalition honors Louisiana fleets and stakeholders for achievements in reducing transportation emissions

November 6, 2020 | Baton Rouge, LA - Louisiana Clean Fuels (LCF) announced the winners of their annual Clean Fuel Leader Awards last Thursday night at a gala to celebrate the coalition’s 20th anniversary. LCF, a designated US Department of Energy Clean Cities Coalition, awards outstanding alternative fuel users in the organization’s territory each year to recognize the exceptional achievements of stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to reduce their fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions.

The highest honor of Clean Fuel Champion was awarded to Republic Services (pictured left) for their reduction of nearly 19,000 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2019. The refuse company also offset 2.3 million gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of fuel through the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) with the fleet of 102 CNG trash trucks they operate within LCF’s territory. Republic Services further reduces their emissions and fuel usage through other methods, including idle reduction, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction, and fuel economy improvements.

Louisiana Clean Fuels was proud to award the 2nd bi-annual Katry Martin Award to Scott Barrios of Entergy (pictured right) for “his enthusiasm, thirst for knowledge, and unlimited energy [which] he puts toward helping to pave the way for clean fuels for Louisiana, especially electric technologies.” The award recognizes one person whose positive attitude, dedication, and passion for alternative fuels sets them apart from their peers. The award's namesake, Katry Martin, served as the Executive Director of St. Landry Parish Solid Waste. The Katry Martin Award serves as a chance for LCF to honor his legacy and recognize his contributions to alternative fuels.

Other awards were given out as follows:

• Capital Area Transit System (CATS) (pictured left) was recognized with the Rising Star Award. The Baton Rouge transit fleet added three all-electric BYD transit buses to their fleet late in 2019 and offset 40 tons of GHGs in just a few months.
• The Media Award for Outstanding AFV Publication was awarded to Fuels Fix (pictured below right). The site, which features stories about alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies successes in the United States, promotes news from the US DOE Clean Cities Program as well as working partners in the alternative fuels industry.
• United Parcel Service (UPS) was honored with the Gangbusters Award for Largest Growth by Volume and Percentage for increasing their petroleum reductions by 400,000 GGEs in 2019. UPS saw a 35% increase in the use of alternative fuels across their Louisiana fleet, including a 65.8% increase in their use of Propane.
• The Progress Award for Most Improved Municipality went to the City of Lake Charles for their 43% increase in Propane usage since 2019 across their fleet of paratransit buses, trucks, and off-road equipment.
  
  

The following were also recognized for their efforts in reducing emissions and conserving fuel:

• Climate MVP: Most GHG Emissions Reduced by Municipality: St. Landry Parish Solid Waste
• Best Performing Municipality (With Transit): City of Shreveport / SporTran
• Best Performing School District: East Baton Rouge Parish School System
• Top VMT Reductions: Entergy
• Top Reductions through Fuel Economy Improvements: Republic Services
• Top Idle Reduction: Amerigas
• Top Reductions through a Diverse Portfolio: Entergy
• Most Compressed Natural Gas Used: Republic Services
• Most Propane Used: UPS
• Most Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Used: Waste Connections
• Most Electricity Used: Entergy
  
  

LCF Executive Director Ann Vail presented the awards to a small group of stakeholders, sponsored by the Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), and announced the winners. The entire event was filmed and edited into a virtual gala and awards ceremony and posted on our YouTube channel. 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. See more photos in our Gala Photo Gallery.

For more information:
Victoria Herrmann, Communications Coordinator | [email protected] | 225.342.7972

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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. The mission of LCF is to advance the nation’s environmental, economic, and energy security by supporting local actions to diversify transportation fuel options. More information is available at www.louisianacleanfuels.org.

COVID-19 couldn’t put a damper on our EV enthusiasm! Despite continued pandemic concerns, this year’s National Drive Electric Week event on October 3rd at Tanger Outlet Mall in Gonzales had an excellent turn-out with masks, social distancing, and a noticeable lack of vehicle emissions. It was our first in-person event since the Clean Fuels Golf Classic in March -- which took place just as pandemic closures hit Louisiana -- and the Louisiana Clean Fuels staff stepped up to the plate with enthusiasm. With beautiful weather and lots of friendly (masked) faces, the event was a great success. 

There were over a dozen vehicles lined up in an EV Alley in front of Tanger, including all four Tesla models, both the Chevy Bolt and Volt, a Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, and a Jaguar IPACE, and the owners of these vehicles reported over 326,000 collective electric miles driven. We were happy to see our friends from the Tesla Louisiana Owners and Dreamers Facebook Group turn out in droves once again to support our EV outreach efforts for NDEW! These fabulous Tesla owners love driving electric and are always happy to show off their EVs and discuss all the fun benefits of owning a Tesla.

One of the highlights of the event was seeing several Tesla Model Ys - Tesla’s newest EV - on display, including one set up in camping mode; attendees were able to see the Model Y with the tent hitched up to the back of the vehicle, showing off the shady sitting area for any enthusiastic campers or tailgaters. After seeing the display, Tyler, LCF’s Co-Coordinator whose love for Tesla is well-known, said wistfully, “Okay, now I definitely want a Model Y.” There was also a splendid Jaguar IPACE on display courtesy of the Paretti Family of Dealerships, a big supporter of LCF and our EV outreach efforts. A big thanks to all of the EV owners who brought out their vehicles and their enthusiasm for conversation!

We had a great time speaking with attendees about electric vehicles, with many attendees asking questions about NDEW, the benefits of EVs, and Louisiana Clean Fuels. Many expressed appreciation for the vehicles on display and spent time mingling with the volunteer EV owners. One attendee approached LCF staff to compliment a talkative EV owner, saying, “He knows everything about all the Tesla models! He had a ton of great information for us!”

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s NDEW event was packed full of EV newbies and enthusiasts alike. After a mostly event-less, quarantined summer down here in Louisiana and across the world, it almost seemed as if everyone was particularly happy to get out and participate in a safe social event to celebrate sustainability and cleaner driving.

We at LCF had a fantastic time spreading the word about electric vehicles during #NDEW2020, and we can’t wait to make next year’s National Drive Electric Week even better! Thanks so much to everyone who helped to put on the event or who came out to show their support!

Check out our photo gallery to see some pictures from our 2020 NDEW event:

NDEW 2020 PHOTO Gallery

Our next Wednesday Webinar Series is a 2-part series that focuses on Electric Work Trucks and helping fleets start to plan for adding these low maintenance & quiet vehicles to their fleets. On September 30th we will host "EV Market Watch - Work Trucks", then on October 7th, we will host "First Steps for Fleets Interested in EVs". Registration is free for both webinars.

Part 1: EV Market Watch - Work Trucks

Wednesday, September 30th | 2 PM CDT

Join us for Part 1 in the series: "EV Market Watch - Work Trucks!" Discover all of the options available on the market today and what vehicles are coming soon. The webinar will feature Michael Coates, the editor of the Clean Fleets Report who will facilitate a moderated discussion with Keith Brandis with the Volvo Lights project and Alexander Voets with Daimler Trucks North America to discuss existing news about their EV vehicle line ups and pilot programs.

PART 2: First Steps for Fleets Interested in EVs

Wednesday, October 7th | 2 PM CDT

Register to learn about the differences between EVs and gaseous fueled vehicles, benefits of EVs, and total cost of ownership. This webinar will cover things to consider when making the decision to try EVs, fleet analysis and EV Suitability of your fleet, utilizing data and telematics to inform your EV procurement decisions, along with understanding the new networks and types of partnerships you will need.

Audience: Companies/fleets that are taking the first step to look at if EVs are right for them

Covering:

• Understanding differences between EVs and gaseous fueled vehicles, benefits of EVs; total cost of ownership. 
• Things to consider when making the decision to try EVs - duty cycle, routes, engaging your utility. 
• Fleet Analysis and EV Suitability of your fleet / utilizing data and telematics to inform your EV procurement decisions. 
• Understanding the new networks and types of partnerships you will need