May 9, 2008

Frey among Winners of State Air Quality Awards

  - from the North Carolina Solar Center

Greensboro, NC, May 6, 2008 – The highlight of the NC Mobile CARE (clean air renewable energy) Symposium and Awards were six awards honoring exemplary efforts to reduce transportation related emissions. State Energy Office director Larry Shirley presented the handcrafted awards constructed from recycled resin and metal on behalf of the NC Dept of Transportation, Dept of Environment and Natural Resources and the NC Dept of Administration. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to create these awards on behalf of three state agencies that have intersecting interests in cleaning our air, economic and environmental enhancement through the use of alternative fuel and advanced transportation technology,” said the NC Solar Center’s director, Steve Kalland. The annual awards are given in individual, fleet, product providers and policy categories to recognize leaders from around the state.

Randy Dodd, an environmental planner for the Town of Carrboro, was recognized with a “special citizen” award for the personal steps he takes to reduce his transportation “footprint”. Randy rides a solar powered scooter and uses biodiesel produced by Piedmont Biofuels when he has to drive a car. Dr Chris Frey was recognized in the Individual category for his work as a professor and researcher at NC State University in the field of life cycle emissions. Dr Frey incorporates actual tail pipe analysis to provide a more accurate picture of transportation related emissions rather than the more typical (and often inaccurate) simulated analysis.

Orange Recycling Services was recognized as the private fleet of the year for using over 100,000 gallons of nearly 100% biodiesel in their fleet of nineteen trucks. The City of Asheville also received a Mobile CARE fleet award for using a suite of alternative fuel solutions including: compressed natural gas, neighborhood electric vehicles and biofuels. In the Product Provider category, Beaufort

County based Potter Oil was recognized for their service as the first NC petroleum distributor to widely distribute biodiesel- beginning in 2003 by bringing in rail cars before many had ever heard mention of the soy based fuel. Finally, NC Senator Marc Basnight was recognized for his leadership in helping the state “lead by example” through the 2005 Petroleum Displacement Plan budget provision which requires the state fleet to displace 20% of its petroleum use by 2010. By implementing energy conservation measures and expanding use of biodiesel and ethanol in FY 2006-07 the state has already displaced 2 million gallons of petroleum, 7.5 percent of the goal.

A capacity gathering of over 160 was welcomed to the 2^nd Annual Mobile CARE Symposium and Awards by Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson. Morning presentations about technology and policy solutions to air quality and petroleum dependence were followed by a luncheon featuring keynote speaker David Morris, vice president of the MN based Institute of Local Self Reliance. The author of several books and energy advisor to the administration of four U.S. presidents spoke on Driving Our Way to Energy Independence stressing that, “technology is now available to replace our petroleum-based transportation system with high efficiency electric-bio-fueled vehicles”.

The afternoon was capped off with tours of the Proximity Hotel, the nations most environmentally friendly, and a Clean Vehicle Ride-n-Drive which included a biodiesel production demonstration trailer from UNC Pembroke and idle reduction technologies for long haul trucks demonstrated by Volvo, one of the day’s sponsors. The event, hosted by the NC Solar Center/ NC State University is part of the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology project.

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About the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project: A three year, $2 million dollar initiative of the NC Solar Center (NCSC) that is funded by the State Energy Office and Division of Air Quality as well as by federal CMAQ funds administered by NCDOT to provide educational outreach and emission reductions in 24 NC counties that do not meet national ambient air quality standards. The NCSC has partnered with the Triangle Clean Cities and Centralina Clean Fuels Coalitions to conduct educational outreach in the Triangle and Charlotte Regions.

About the NC Solar Center: a division of the College of Engineering at N.C. State University, operated since 1988 as a clearinghouse for information, demonstration, research, and training related to renewable and advanced technologies.

Media Contact:
Anne Tazewell, 919-513-7831, 919-619-0185

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