Participant Login Sitemap
Print This Page Email This Page

Previous Blue Sky Award Recipients



2007 2005 2004 2002 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

2007 Blue Sky AwardTM
Navistar’s International Truck and Engine Corporation for its investment in the engineering, development, field assessment and 2007 production launch of medium-duty hybrid trucks earlier and faster than its competitors, making hybrids into a commercial product. 

Leadership Award
Was presented to Edouard Michelin, the late CEO and Managing Partner of the Michelin Group, for his global leadership to further advanced transportation technologies, most notably through the annual Challenge Bibendum vehicle efficiency competitions

Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Awards
James Hankla of the Port of Long Beach and David Freeman of the Port of Los Angeles for their remarkable work not only within their organizations but also together to create and implement the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan.   Commissioner Hankla is here representing the Port of Long Beach and accepting for Commissioner Freeman is Commissioner Douglas Krause also of the Port of Los Angeles.

The second Innovation award this year goes to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez for the passage of Assembly Bill 32 – The California Global Warming Solutions Act.  This is a landmark piece of legislation  that will resonate not just in California but around the country and globally as well.  Because the Legislature is in session, neither the Governor nor the Speaker were able to be here today.  However, accepting the award on behalf of the Governor is his Los Angeles Deputy District Director Araceli (are-a-CELL-ee) Gonzalez and on behalf of the Speaker is Sonia Campos who coordinates environmental legislation on his behalf.

Merit Awards (3)

  1. Cummins Westport for introducing and producing natural gas engines in a new market for heavier duty vehicles and for consistently meeting tough emission requirements in advance of regulations.
  2. Global Electric Motorcars LLC – also known just as GEM – for both helping launch the battery-powered neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) market back nearly ten years ago in 1998 and for continuing to manufacture the vehicles and expand the marketplace for these kinds of vehicles.
  3. Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures for his company’s significant financial investments that support the development of advanced transportation fuels and technology companies – which in turn have encouraged other investors to become interested in supporting these technologies as well.

2005 Blue Sky AwardTM
FedEx Express and Environmental Defense (ED) were awarded the 2005 Blue Sky Award for their teams' nearly single-handed placement of commercial hybrid trucks on the roads of America well before any competition. The joint FedEx and ED effort spearheaded the commercial truck market's interest in hybrids. The Blue Sky Award committee concluded that "other fleet operators were influenced by the nation's most respected and sophisticated truck operators showing strong interest in hybrids" which, in turn, motivated those companies to investigate and embrace hybrid technologies themselves.

2005 Blue Sky Innovation Award
Was presented to Mayor Greg Nickels, Seattle, WA for committing the City of Seattle to the goals and agenda of the “Kyoto Protocols” regarding global warming, despite the fact that the federal government would not sign the accord. As a result, the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June passed the “Mayors Climate Protection Agreement” to reduce GHG emissions in their cities. As of October, 183 mayors, representing 40 million Americans have accepted the challenge. The list is growing still.

Merit Awards (3):

  1. New York MTA was awarded a Blue Sky Merit Award for its purchase and integration of 300 diesel-electric hybrid buses, and its commitment to purchase and additional 500 more – a tripling of its fleet size in advanced driveline buses. Of the roughly 1500 transit hybrids on order or delivered in the U.S., more than half (800+) are NY's.
  2. EJ Harrison & Sons was also given a Blue Sky Merit Award.
    The company, based in Ventura, CA, provides waste disposal, and is being recognized for its aggressive approach toward minimizing vehicle emissions from its fleet by adopting a range of technologies, including LNG, dual-fuel , clean diesel and retrofits. These actions have resulted in measurable air quality benefits in its 6-city service territory.
  3. Hyperion Solutions received the final Blue Sky Merit Award for 2005 for its first of a kind initiative to help its employees purchase fuel efficient cars for their personal use. Called “Drive Clean to Drive Change”, the company reimburses its employees $5000 for purchasing vehicles that achieve 45mpg or the equivalent of gasoline. More than 200 employees are expected to participate in the program, and other large companies have contacted Hyperion to learn how to implement a similar program themselves.

2004 Blue Sky AwardTM
Blue Sky AwardTM:  New Flyer Industries:  of Winnipeg, Canada (www.newflyer.com), for its pioneering work in implementing both alternative fuel and hybrid drive systems for buses, which now represent nearly half its bus orders.  It is the largest transit bus manufacturer in North America.

Leadership: George Survant, FP&L: New this year is the Blue Sky Leadership Award, given given to recognize one person’s unique actions to speed marketplace introduction.  The first award goes to George Survant, innovative director of fleet services for Florida Power & Light Company.  He is recognized for his visionary leadership and personal dedication in bringing together fleet support and action to take a hybrid-electric utility service truck from an idea to pre-production status.  These first hybrid utility trucks will be delivered to fleets in 2005.

Innovation: Assemblywoman Chrisine Keho (D-San Diego): . is the winner of the Blue Sky Innovation Award this year for her leadership on legislation to reduce California’s transportation-related oil consumption.

Merit Awards(3):  

  1. Idleaire: IdleAire Technologies Corp. of Knoxville, Tenn., (www.idleaire.com) – is recognized for its Advanced Travel Center Electrification technology .The IdleAire system provides heating, cooling and a range of communications and entertainment services to long haul truck drivers, without having to run their engines while stopped.  The system brings immediate and measurable air quality improvements, removing 100% of emissions from extended diesel idling.
  2. Sysco Foods: is recognized for its work to implement an aggressive, voluntary liquefied natural gas truck deployment program from Sysco’s facility in Walnut – the largest of Sysco's 146 facilities in the nation. Currently Sysco LA operates 53 LNG trucks and its goal is to convert 100 percent of its fleet to LNG by 2007. 
  3. Specialty Solid Waste:  Specialty Solid Waste & Recycling of Santa Clara, Calif. (www.sswr.com) – is recognized for its fleet of five different types of natural gas refuse vehicles, as well as the installation of a public CNG refueling station off Highway 101.

2002 Blue Sky AwardTM
ISE Research Corporation
Since it was founded in 1994, ISE Research has been designing the first of a wide array of medium and heavy-duty vehicles poof-of-concept prototypes that have shown the viability of hybrid electric technology in these sectors. They have a number of firsts: first propane-hybrid electric bus, nation's first AC motor airport pull tractor tug. More than any other company, these proof-of-concept prototypes has shown the viability of hybrid electric technology and its technical feasibility. By they have not stopped with must doing single "one-of" prototypes. ISE Research has now graduated to doing production quantities for its products. It has received the largest order of any US manufacturer for fuel cell buses - four - three of which will go to AC Transit in northern California, and one which will go to SunLine Transit in Thousand Palms. In addition, the company just received an order for 7 hybrid electric buses from New Jersey Transit. Because of the success of their proof-of-concept vehicles, ISE Research has influenced other larger companies such as Allison, Eaton, and BAE to enter the market and try commercializing these technologies. For being a company that has done so much with so little in driving the industry forward to clean the air and develop sustainable transportation, ISE Research has been awarded the Blue Sky Award.

Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award Recipients
Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) introduced landmark legislation to curtail global warming. On July 22,2002, at a signing ceremony at Griffith Observatory, Governor Gray Davis signed AB 1493, which directs the California Air Resources Control Board (CARB) to develop and adopt regulations by January 1, 2005 that will reduce greenhouse gasses from new passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks whose primary use is not commercial. California, the fifth largest economy in the world, generates most of our greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Once the regulations are formulated, public workshops will be held to allow for public and legislative oversight prior to implementation. The new regulations will apply only to vehicles manufactured in the 2009 model year or after. Assemblywoman Fran Pavley accomplished a small miracle by overcoming tremendous lobbying by the oil and automobile industries to get Assembly Bill 1493 passed and set an example for the entire country. Once again, California is a leader where no other state was willing to lead. For her personal and political courage to address the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the transportation sector against overwhelming opposition, AssemblywomanFran Pavley is awarded the Charles Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award.

Merit Awards (4)

American Honda Motor Company has focused their marketing efforts at transforming the consumer market for efficient gasoline and alternative fueled vehicles. Honda was the first to offer a hybrid electric vehicle in California, the Honda Insight, and first in producing an alternative fueled vehicles, the Honda Civic GX, that not only appeals to fleet operators, but offers practicality that is unparalleled in the passenger car model line-up marketed to consumers. In addition, the Honda GX is the lowest emitting internal combustion engine powered vehicle ever offered for sale in California. Two Honda models, the Insight and the Civic GX have received the highest ratings from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the greenest vehicles available for the last two years in a row. Four Honda models are listed among the top ten greenest vehicles available in 2002 and Honda has offered its low-emission control engine technology to any interested automaker. For their product offerings along with America Honda's continued efforts to work cooperatively with California stakeholders interested in transforming the market for vehicles that save energy and reduce vehicles emissions, Honda has been awarded a Blue Sky Merit Award.


Los Angeles County MTA and City of Los Angeles DOT
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ()MTA) and the city of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) partnered to implement a Metro Rapid demonstration program. Since the demonstration achieved the goals set forth in the program, the MTA Board has voted for Metro Rapid expansion into many of its 23 new express lines over the next 10 years. The first such additional route will be the Vermont and Broadway 12.7 mile route. The MTA Board also has approved the implementation of additional Metro Rapid lines at a rate of one or two every six months. When complete, the four phases will result in 400 miles of new service that will become Bus Rapid Transit. The results of this new service have been remarkable. Passenger travel times have been reduced by 29 in the Wilshire Corridor and 23% in the Venture Corridor. Ridership has increased substantially: 42% along Wilshire, and 38% along Ventura. This alone is helping to reduce traffic congestion and cleaning the air as less cars are on the roads. In addition, the LAMTA is purchasing over 800 new hi- capacity CNG and CNG-hybrid electric buses for use on its Metro Rapid routes. These buses will not only improve the transit rider's experience through cleaner, quieter, larger buses, but also it will help further reduce air pollution in the Los Angeles region. The Metro Rapid system has gained the respect of transit customers. As the Metro Rapid system expands its routes and adds high capacity, quiet, alternative-fuel buses with sleek, rail-like appearances plus off-board fare collection, the Los Angeles public transit system may be on its way to being a transportation mode of choice. For successfully combining a bus rapid transit system with the use of clean alternative fuel buses (CNG and CNG-hybrid electric), the LAMTA is awarded the Blue Sky Merit Award.


Norcal Waste Systems
San Francisco-based Norcal Waste Systems has placed 14 innovative Peterbilt heavy-duty trucks, operating on liquefied natural gas, into service since August 2001. Nine additional trucks are scheduled for delivery to Norcal in 2003. The Norcal field trial represents the largest trial so far of the ISXG, a 400 horsepower, 15-liter natural gas engine from Cummins Westport, Inc. The ISXG engine uses a high-pressure direct injection engine. In essence, it's a diesel engine that runs on natural gas with a small amount of diesel fuel used for ignition purposes. On average, the truck uses about 95% natural gas and about 5% diesel. Though still in the pre-production prototype phase, this engine is producing very low emissions and diesel like efficiency. This engine has the best chance to compete with diesel like efficiency. This engine has the best chance to compete with diesel engines in the marketplace. This engine has the best chance to compete with diesel engines in the marketplace. The ISXG is schedule for commercial launch in early 2004. Norcal uses these trucks in daily commercial service and as of July 2002 they have accumulated more than 725,000 miles of combined operations. They haul trash from a transfer station in San Francisco to a landfill at Altmont, a distance of approximately 60 miles along major public highway. The California Air Resources Board has certified the ISXG for low-emissions, is based on the Cummins diesel ISX manufactured at a Cummins plant in Columbus, Indiana. The Norcal road trial is extremely important for the commercial development of the ISXG because it establishes the viability of the Westport Cycle, a new technology from Cummins Westport with a unique ability to match the torque and fuel efficiency of the diesel engine while providing the emissions benefits of natural gas. Norcal has proved that these trucks are fully capable of keeping up with highway traffic, even when climbing steep hills with full loads. In the absence of a strong regulatory push, the fleets in the SF Bay Area have been reluctant to switch to alternative fuels. It's important that a major fleet operator such as Norcal has been willing to step forward and take a risk on a new technology. At least two transit properties in the Bay Area are now considering using the Cummins Westport ISXG engine as a result of the Norcal experience. For voluntarily taking action to use clean alternative fuel trucks in its fleet by investing in placing alternative fuel trucks into service as well as investing in the Bay Area's first LNG refueling station, we believe Norcal should be commended for its commitment to clean air and its willingness to help develop new technology and receive the Blue Sky Merit Award.


ZEV-NET, National Fuel Cell Reseach Center and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Launched in April 2002, ZEV-NET is not-for-profit, public-private collaboration between university, government, the automotive industry and the commercial sector. ZEV-NET is a systems approach that combines mass transit with environmentally sensitive zero and near-zero emissions shared-use vehicles to provide a cleaner alternative to single-car commuting. The Zero Emission Vehicle, Network Enabled Transport program uses electric vehicles that are equipped with Global Positioning System technology in conjunction with scheduling software so that the vehicles can be efficiently shared among commuters. For its innovative approach in combining mass transit with clean, zero-emission car sharing, ZEV-NET has been awarded a Blue Sky Merit Award.

 

2000 Blue Sky AwardTM
Pickens Fuel Corporation
Pickens Fuel Corporation was recognized for its commitment for assisting fleets to convert to alternative fuels by making it affordable for them. Pickens developed an economic business model for natural gas vehicle fueling stations, now an industry standard, which has been successful in helping fleets purchase both the vehicles and infrastructure necessary to put clean vehicles on the road.

Ed Huestis, Transportation Systems Manager for the City of Vacaville
Ed Huestis has transformed the city into the most "EV friendly" city in Northern California installing public charging stations throughout the city and purchasing EVs for city employees. Most notably, Vacaville is the only local government entity in the state to provide an additional $4,000 buy-down toward the purchase/lease of an EV.

Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award Recipients
South Coast Air Quality Management District
SCAQMD was recognized for its progressive leadership in pushing the aggressive 1190 series alternative fuel fleet rules. The SCAQMD has implemented the most far-reaching rules in the nation requiring the use of cleaner alternative fuels. The rules are having a significant impact in terms of cleaning the air and stimulating the clean transportation technologies industry.

Merit Awards(3)

  1. IMPCO Technologies has developed a number of contracts with car manufacturers to develop propane, natural gas, and fuel cell propulsion systems. In its 42-year history, IMPCO Technologies has produced more than 4 million gaseous fuel systems and components and is a Tier 1 supplier to the OEMs for gaseous fuel system technologies. It's Advanced Technology Center, the only facility of its kind in the world, is totally focused on the development of clean emission advanced fuel technologies.
  2. Enova Systems has become a leader in the design, development and manufacturing of electric drive systems and components for electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles. It has demonstrated its ability to design and produce products and systems for all advanced technologies.
  3. Southern California Edison (SCE) Electric Vehicle Fleet, The SCE Electric Vehicle Fleet of 302 electric vehicles is the largest of any utility in the nation. The SCE electric vehicle fleet has produced real world results in cleaning up the air. Since its inception in 1995, it has logged in excess of 5.2 million zero emission miles, eliminated 1.2 million pounds of air pollutants and prevented the formation of 3.6 million pounds of CO2.


1999 Blue Sky AwardTM
Ford Motor Company
Ford was recognized first, and foremost for the majority purchase of the TH!NK, and Ford's demonstrated commitment to bring the vehicle to market. Also, for winning the U.S. Postal Service bid to manufacture 500 electric vehicles, and potentially many more, helps increase real-world use of electric vehicles, as well as their viability and visibility. Finally, Ford continues to sell more clean fuel vehicles than any other auto manufacturer.

Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award Recipients
The California Fuel Cell Partnership
The California Fuel Cell Partnership was recognized for its innovative leadership in pushing fuel cell technology toward the marketplace. The Partnership - initially made up of public agencies (the California Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission), technology developers (Ballard Power Systems), auto companies (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen) and energy companies (Shell, ARCO, and Texaco) - is helping prepare the market for commercialization of fuel cell vehicles by increasing public awareness and enhancing opinion about the viability of these electric vehicles. Over the past year, other auto companies and users of advanced transportation technologies and vehicles have joined this influential and important partnership.

Merit Awards (3)

  1. Advanced Vehicle Systems (AVS) has demonstrated marketplace leadership through its ongoing commitment to bringing more electric buses into service than anyone nationwide. AVS produced its 100th electric bus in 1999, a feat unmatched by any other company nationwide, and is responsible for roughly one-third of the electric buses on the road today.
  2. EV Rental Cars has demonstrated marketplace leadership through its innovative model allowing the general public to experience EVs and other alternative fuel vehicles at reasonable prices through the rental car process. In doing this, EV Rental Cars is showing rental agencies how to incorporate out-of-the-ordinary vehicles into their fleets.
  3. Jeff Groscost, Speaker, Arizona House of Representatives
    As an unwavering advocate of alternative fuel vehicles, Speaker Groscost's leadership in providing a fuel-neutral program that provides marketplace incentives for their purchase in Arizona shows others that a business-market approach also is good, constructive environmental policy.

1998 Blue Sky AwardTM
The United States Postal Service
USPS was recognized in particular for its fleet of more than 7,500 clean-burning natural gas vehicles (NGVs) - the largest fleet of low polluting, alternative-fuel vehicles in the nation. The USPS fleet eliminated thousands of tons of pollutants that would have otherwise been emitted from gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles normally used by the agency. The USPS has been highly proactive in achieving the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) requirements mandating the phase-in of alternative-fuel vehicles, and in 1998 was the only government agency to meet its requirements.

Merit Awards (5)

  1. Alan Cocconi of AC Propulsion won for the important, industry-spanning alliance he recently forged with Volkswagen AG - and the resulting multi-year, EV development program which emerged. His company currently manufactures electronics, motors and instrumentation systems for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. He has worked extensively on solar-powered vehicles, and holds numerous patents concerning electric vehicle drive system and recharge electronics.
  2. Joan Kiteley of Phoenix, Arizona's Washington Elementary School; won for her hard work and original ideas that funded clean fuel school bus purchases. By working with lawmakers, advertising on school buses was permitted to generate income used for acquiring natural gas-powered buses. In addition to opening a natural gas refueling station, she has been instrumental in the promotion of alternative fuels as a solution to air pollution problem statewide.
  3. Paul MacCready of AeroVironment won for his leadership as a designer in the electric and hybrid-electric vehicle industry, development work on high-power fast charging, and his commitment to the creation of electric-vehicle infrastructure throughout the country. Dr. MacCready is known for his work on a large number of influential projects, including development on the General Motors "Impact" - the car whose sophisticated systems and mechanical elements helped make contemporary electric vehicles a reality - which served as the prototype for today's EV1. He has led significant efforts into the development of both solar-powered vehicles and aircraft, and has been recognized with numerous engineering and aeronautical awards.
  4. The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District won for its commitment to a world-leading -- and world's largest -- electric-bus fleet, its contribution to fast-charging development, and for its highly visible role in educating transit riders, tourists and the general public about the benefits of zero-emission vehicles. The transit district - especially its general manager Gary Gleason - have played an important role in promoting electric buses as a clean solution to local transportation.
  5. Gary Starr of ZAP Power Systems won for his long-standing commitment to advanced transportation, and his success in the worldwide promotion of alternative-fuel vehicles. Driving and building electric cars for more than two decades, he has been instrumental in the marketing of more than 20,000 electric vehicles - a greater number than any other non-Tier 1 manufacturer.

1997 Blue Sky AwardTM
Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota's significant launch of an innovative, clean and fuel-efficient hybrid electric vehicle, the Prius, combined with its commitment to multiple clean vehicle markets with its hybrid electric "Coaster" bus, RAV4 electric vehicle, and "e-com" electric commuter minicar, led to its selection as the top award winner for 1997.

Merit Awards(4)

  1. Ballard Power Systems, of Vancouver, Canada won for its continuing technology innovation and push to the marketplace with fuel cell power systems. Ballard in 1997 formed a partnership with Daimler-Benz of Germany to develop, build and market fuel cells for the automotive and other markets by the turn of the century, accelerating the fuel cell's use.
  2. James Worden, President of Solectria Corporation is a leading-edge electric vehicle technology developer and vehicle maker who continues to push the limits of the marketplace uses of clean vehicles. This year Worden again changed the perception of electric vehicle uses by driving non-stop at freeway speeds between Boston and New York in his prototype "Sunrise" electric car.
  3. SunLine Transit Agency of Palm Desert, California is a transit industry leader for its commitment to a 100 percent natural gas-powered bus fleet, and its continuing leadership in helping install natural gas refueling infrastructure, training mechanics in natural gas systems and testing and using new, clean technologies.
  4. Sacramento Regional Transit District, Sacramento, California is also honored as a transit leader for its operation of more than 65% of its fleet of buses on natural gas, and its development of some of the best fuel cost and maintenance data on natural gas-powered vehicles. In 1997 Sacramento RTD figures showed it was saving more than $1 million each year in reduced fuel and maintenance cost's.


1996 Blue Sky AwardTM
General Motors
The first recipient of the Blue Sky Award was the General Motors Corporation for its introduction of the EV1 electric car. GM, recognized worldwide for its innovative electric-powered passenger car, developed 23 technology patents in creating it. GM was committed to bringing its product to the marketplace in the Fall of 1996.
[ Back ]

  		[ Top ]

©Copyright 2008 CALSTART, Inc. All Rights Reserved.