Car Free Project Recognized For Clean Air Excellence
County Air Pollution Control Receives One of Fifteen National Awards
Santa Barbara Car Free Project partners were recognized on June 17, 2010, by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s Board of Directors and the Governor’s Office. The District recently received a national Clean Air Excellence Award for the Santa Barbara Car Free Project from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and was one of only 15 recipients of this prestigious national award this year.
At its June Board meeting, the District’s Board thanked the Project partners with a special resolution, and Karen Kukurin, Deputy Director and Community Liaison with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Office, read a congratulatory letter from the Governor that stated, “To the district members, and all those who have had a hand in the Santa Barbara Car Free project, I thank you for your exemplary accomplishments. Your outstanding efforts help cement California as a world leader in going green.” A celebratory reception followed the Board meeting at the Inn of the Spanish Garden, a partner in the Project.
Santa Barbara Car Free was founded in 1998 by the District to reduce air pollution from visitors’ cars, and is supported by more than 100 partners—business, organizations, and individuals—working together to promote car free travel to and around Santa Barbara for cleaner air and a more sustainable community.
When the award was first announced, California 23rd District Congresswoman Lois Capps remarked, “I am very proud of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and the Santa Barbara Car Free Project and its many partners. It’s good to see the Project’s work for sustainable tourism – and a sustainable community – honored with this national award.”
District Director Terry Dressler said in May, “We are so honored to be selected for this award. We thank our area partners for the outstanding collaboration that has made this project possible.”
Santa Barbara Car Free was honored in the Community Action category. The Project, founded in 1998 and led by the District, is supported by the City of Santa Barbara, Amtrak California® and more than 100 partners—business, organizations, and individuals—working together to promote car free travel to and around Santa Barbara for cleaner air and a healthier planet.
Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, said, “Innovation and commitment are the keys to environmental progress, and our Clean Air Excellence Award winners are tremendous examples. As we look to the future, these winners will help lead the way toward cleaner air and a healthier environment.”
The Clean Air Excellence Awards Program, established in 2000 at the recommendation of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, annually recognizes and honors outstanding innovative efforts to help make progress in achieving cleaner air. Award-winning entries must directly or indirectly reduce pollutant emissions, demonstrate innovation, offer sustainable outcomes, and provide a model for others to follow.
