Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Milestone DOE Clean Cities Celebration Honors Clean Air Advocates, Alternative Fuel & Government Leaders

The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) took part as sponsor and exhibitor at the Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance (LSCFA) 20th Anniversary on April 15, 2014 at the Palmer Events Center. Lone Star Clean Fuels Alliance, formerly known as Central Texas Clean Cities, is a Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Cities Coalition.

“Our local clean cities coalition, the LSCFA, has been a strident voice for alternative fuel and electric vehicles alike in Central Texas,” says Jackie Mason, Education & Marketing Director. “They’ve helped promote cleaner-burning propane-powered school buses, getting dirtier, older diesel buses off of Texas roads, created the first propane commercial mower incentive program, and have helped facilitate grants to build alternative fuel refueling stations.”
Not only was the event in celebration of the alliance's anniversary, but it is also a precursor to Earth Day and a day to honor clean air advocates as well as alternative fuel and governmental leaders. Propane industry member, Curtis Donaldson was awarded the Founders' award, a Lifetime Achievement Award. Donaldson, the CEO of CleanFUEL USA, Georgetown, was a founding member of LSCFA 20 years ago and has set the ground for propane autogas growth throughout Texas and the nation. "Curtis is alternative fuels in central Texas," said Garry Mauro, former General Land Office Commissioner and fellow award winner. 

Other Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to:
·         LSCFA Executive Director, Stacy Neef
·         Former Mayor and Senator Kirk Watson
·         Former General Land Office Commissioner Garry Mauro
·         TX Education Commissioner/Former Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams.

Other Leadership award winners  included:
·         State Representative Jason Isaac
·         State Representative Eddie Rodriguez
·         State Representative Tony Dale
·         State Representative Drew Darby
·         Railroad Commissioner David Porter
·         State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
Director Dub Taylor
·         City of Austin Fleet Director Gerry Calk
·         Former Program Manager of Austin Clean Cities Fred Blood


"Harmful emissions is not just a transportation issue, it's a health issue," said Watson, another Lifetime Achievement Award winner. "These fuels that are the building blocks of improving our air quality are not just for cars. They're for my kids. They're for my grandkids. And they are definitely for the elderly who really need healthier air to breathe."

The day of celebration was not complete without an extraordinary display of alternative fuel vehicles and equipment from police  ev’s to our sister fuel, CNG who displayed numerous vehicles. Propane definitely rivaled the natural gas display with its own impressive lineup vehicles including a propane-powered BlueBird school bus from Rush Trucks, Ford Roush Truck, CleanFuelUSA pickup, Alliance Autogas SUV, and SCAG commercial mower.

Source: Texas Propane Magazine, May 2014

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