Clean Air Excellence Awards 2022 Recipients
2022 Clean Air Excellence Awards Recipients Categories
- Community Action
- Education Outreach
- Transportation Efficiency
- Thomas W. Zosel Outstanding Individual Achievement Award
- CAEA Past Award Recipients
2022 Clean Air Excellence Awards Ceremony
Community Action
2022 Recipient: Clear the Air Foundation (Denver, CO)
The Clear the Air Foundation was founded by the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association 12 years ago as a private sector solution to the public policy problem of air pollution. We work with stakeholders throughout Colorado to accept and recycle older, high-polluting vehicles to ensure they never pollute our air again. These vehicles are recycled, and the foundation receives money for the scrap metal value, of which a portion is applied towards automotive technology student scholarships. To date we've recycled over 6,500 vehicles, which has allowed us to award 123 scholarships with a total value more than $420,000.
2022 Recipient: New Jersey Tree Foundation - Urban Airshed Reforestation Program/Renaissance Trees Program/Green Streets (Jackson, NJ)
The New Jersey Tree Foundation is dedicated to increasing urban tree canopy in the most sustainable and unique way: we work by invitation only, alongside willing and committed residents in the most underserved neighborhoods. It's a model we developed and perfected for over twenty years and one we hope takes root in communities nationwide. The positive environmental outcomes of our work are ongoing and sustainable: each project directly improves air quality by filtering pollutants and reducing the heat island effect in cities. Plus, each planting goes a long way in absorbing stormwater and reducing the burden of runoff into combined sewer overflows: keeping toxins from flooding residential neighborhoods and wildlife habitats.
Education/Outreach
2022 Recipient: Science Museum of Virginia - RVAir (Richmond, VA)
The Science Museum of Virginia is leveraging its climate and environmental science expertise and informal science practices to engage local partners and residents in improving the livability of our community. With support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Museum is leading a community-wide effort to foster resilience to the effects of climate change. RVAir advances that role by building community capacity for science-based decision-making through the engagement of local residents of different backgrounds in community science investigations to assess and develop community-driven solutions to improve local Air Quality.
2022 Recipient: CUNY School of Law Center for Urban Environmental Reform - Mayah's Lot (Long Island City, NY)
Mayah's Lot is the first book in the Environmental Justice Chronicles - a series of graphic novels (including sequels Bina's Plant and Troop's Run) that tell the story of young people who organize their community to advocate for environmental justice. Students learn basic civics, advocacy strategies, some science, and the importance of community solidarity. They create their own comic books, then develop and implement an environmental justice campaign that builds change within their own community. Mayah's Lot has grown into a video and curriculum that has engaged students in classrooms across New York City, the United States, and beyond, as well as a teacher training program.
Transportation Efficiency Innovations Award
2022 Recipient: EV Connect - Paving the Way for Electrification
(Alto, CA)
The EV industry is grappling with the growing demand for EVs and charging infrastructure while prioritizing a positive driver experience. EV Connect is enhancing the consumer experience in the EV charging ecosystem while minimizing operational complexity and cost. In building the digital backbone to support a massive build-out of EV charging infrastructure, EV Connect has created a powerful and open-standards-based management platform that connects drivers to charging, site owners and network operators to their ports, and utilities to demand data, leading to fuel savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. At EV Connect, we help companies of all sizes establish a strong presence in the charging market and help them generate a solid return on investment - paving the way for electrification for businesses and EV drivers.
Thomas W. Zosel Outstanding Individual Achievement Award
Dr. William A. Burke - South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) Governing Board (Diamond Bar, CA)
In his almost 30-years of service as a South Coast AQMD Governing Board member, including an unprecedented 23 years as Chair, Dr. William A. Burke devoted his career to improving air quality and expanding environmental justice (EJ). On his first day as Chair in 1997, he announced environmental justice would be a central focus of the air district. Since then, he was responsible for many forward-thinking programs, including regional EJ initiatives, the creation of localized community air monitoring for toxics, enhanced community outreach efforts and the development of zero-emissions technologies that resulted in significant emissions reductions both locally and globally. Dr. Burke is an inspirational leader that encourages community involvement and emphasizes EJ and equity. His zeal for technology solutions led the agency to promote the research and development of cleaner technologies in partnership with private industry, developers, academia and government agencies long before the successes we see today. Dr. Burke has been an exceptional leader and visionary for many decades and his ultimate legacy will be his relentless passion and unwavering commitment to improving air quality and environmental justice.
CAEA Past Award Recipients
