THOMPSON: SONOMA COUNTY FLEET OPERATIONS SELECTED AS AN EPA CLEAN AIR EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced that the County of Sonoma Fleet Operations located in Santa Rosa has been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Clean Air Excellence Award winner. The Clean Air Excellence Awards Program periodically recognizes and honors outstanding innovative efforts to help make progress in achieving cleaner air. Award-winning entries must directly or indirectly reduce pollutant emissions, demonstrate innovation, offer sustainable outcomes, and provide a model for others to follow.
"Sonoma County has always been at the forefront when it comes to making our environment cleaner and healthier for the folks in our community," said Thompson. "Its fleet is a model for other counties around America to follow. Not only is it reducing pollution, it's saving money and time by increasing fuel economy and reducing travel times."
"Our County is proud to be a pioneer in the field of electric vehicle fleets," said Supervisor Susan Gorin. "Through the development of our Electric Vehicle Charging Station Infrastructure Program, we have been able to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. We are excited to receive national recognition for our efforts."
The Sonoma County fleet is made up of nearly 300 hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles. The hybrid fleet has reduced gasoline and diesel fuel usage by over 166,500 gallons while traveling over 10 million miles since 2002.
In July 2011, Sonoma County took the lead role in creating one of the first comprehensive sets of guidelines for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in the nation. Its model has been used as a reference by other government agencies across the United States to expedite the installation of the infrastructure necessary to support electric vehicles.
To date, the County has facilitated or installed more than 50 electric vehicle charging stations with more than 100 charge ports. An additional 22 charging stations with 44 ports will be installed by the end 2015. At the end of 2013, Sonoma County had more electric vehicle charging stations operational than the entire State of California and had reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7.9 metric tons.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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