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:
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·
LSCFA Executive
Director, Stacy Neef
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Former Mayor and
Senator Kirk Watson
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Former General
Land Office Commissioner Garry Mauro
·
TX Education
Commissioner/Former Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams.
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Other
Leadership award winners included:
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·
State
Representative Jason Isaac
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State
Representative Eddie Rodriguez
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State
Representative Tony Dale
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State
Representative Drew Darby
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Railroad
Commissioner David Porter
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·
State Energy
Conservation Office (SECO)
Director Dub Taylor
·
City of Austin
Fleet Director Gerry Calk
·
Former Program
Manager of Austin Clean Cities Fred Blood
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"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
