At the Colorado Motor Carriers Association's annual convention in Avon, Colorado last month, the Regional Air Quality Council and Colorado Motor Carriers Association recognized four trucking fleets for their contributions and efforts toward reducing diesel emissions and energy utilization. These two areas are identified by both the federal and state governments as important goals in regard to lessening greenhouse gases as well as making our country less dependent on foreign oil.
All of the Green Fleets adopted technologies and strategies certified under the US EPA SmartWay program which led to greater fuel efficiency and reduced diesel emissions. These technologies included auxiliary power units which reduce idling time, trailer skirts and fins which reduce drag, and low rolling resistance tires that reduce friction.
The awards were presented by Steve McCannon of the Regional Air Quality Council which oversees Colorado's Front Range efforts to improve air quality. One aspect of these efforts is its Clean Air Fleets (CAF) program, which is a public-private initiative to help on and off-road diesel fleet operators voluntarily reduce diesel emissions while saving money.
The four fleets recognized in 2012 by the RAQC and Colorado Motor Carriers Association as Green Fleets for their leadership and commitment to improving the environment include:
- Direct Transport Services of Commerce City, CO - Mike Adinolfe, President
- Houg Special Services of Commerce City, CO - Jenyce Houg, President
- JBS Swift Carriers of Greeley, CO - Rodrigo Horvath, President
- Furniture Row Express of Aurora, CO - Bill Smith, Fleet and Logistics Manager
"The Green Fleet Awards and EPA SmartWay program are a win-win for the public and private sector," said McCannon. "The technologies and strategies within the SmartWay program that have been adopted by these Green Fleet recipients not only help to reduce emissions and conserve energy but also have allowed them to improve their bottom line. We appreciate our partnership with EPA and CMCA on this program as well as our program manager, Rush Truck Centers, who has helped many of the fleet owners in understanding and implementing these new technologies." McCannon noted that the grant funds provided through EPA SmartWay have allowed a number of companies to test and see for themselves the benefits that may be accrued with these technologies.
CMCA Chairman Victor Domenico remarked, "Our association and industry recognize the importance of reducing diesel emissions as well as the nation's goal of energy independence. We appreciate and commend these Green Fleet award winners for their adoption and implementation of environmental friendly strategies relating to our industry."
