EPA honors Sonoma County with Clean Air Excellence Award

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Monday that California’s Sonoma County is being recognized for its commitment to clean air and climate initiatives at the Clean Air Excellence Awards.

“Sonoma County can breathe easier with cleaner air and better protected health thanks to its hybrid fleet vehicle program,” EPA Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest Jared Blumenfeld said. “The county’s investment in hybrid electric and all-electric vehicle technology has resulted in one of the largest hybrid government fleets in the country.”

Sonoma County Fleet Operations, which was among seven county projects honored this year, managed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 2,000 tons even as the distances its cars covered increased by 10 million miles over the past decade. Since 2002, the fleet has reduced gas and diesel consumption by 166,500 gallons, with 35 percent – or 291 vehicles – being hybrids.

Sonoma County will be recognized at today’s awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., along with other individuals and groups who have shown a dedication to improving air quality by taking innovation risks, serving as pioneers or advancing public knowledge.