Gwinnett County Government Honored with Two 2013 PACE Awards

Earlier today, the 2013 PACE Awards were presented in 12 categories to employers, schools, property managers and individuals who are devoted to improved mobility and air quality in the region. Now in its 13th year, the PACE Awards are presented by The Clean Air Campaign, in partnership with the region’s transportation management associations and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

Gwinnett County Government took home two of the 12 PACE Awards presented at this morning’s event. Gwinnett County representatives proudly accepted the UPS Exemplary Idle Reduction Program award and the Government Local Employer award.

Gwinnett County has created a compressed work week schedule for its employees, and nearly 50 percent utilize this arrangement. The county also has a formal telework program, and offers preferred parking spots for carpoolers. Since the implementation of these Georgia Commute Options programs, Gwinnett County employees have helped reduce 326 tons of pollution from the air we breathe.

Gwinnett County has also initiated an overall fuel reduction strategy as an effort to reduce fuel consumption, improve efficiency and reduce operation costs. A part of the overall strategy includes idling reduction as a part of their published Fleet Management policy.

The county introduced several strategies to ensure its idle reduction policy is as effective as possible. These include: right-sizing the fleet to eliminate unnecessary/underutilized equipment, strict vehicle specifications to make sure vehicles match their intended use, preventative maintenance intervals to ensure all equipment operates at maximum efficiency, an advanced tire management program, enhanced lubrication/filtration programs, and heightened operator awareness using No Idling reminder decals. Some departments have seen up to an 18 percent reduction in fuel consumption since the implementation of the idle reduction program.

“As metro Atlanta’s population continues to grow, commute options programs are essential for effectively managing the increased demand on our roadways and sustaining quality of life in our region,” said Clean Air Campaign executive director, Tedra Cheatham. “The many partners involved in Georgia Commute Options programs appreciate the efforts of all the employers, individuals and schools, especially those honored today, that are doing their part to reduce traffic and improve air quality.”

PACE Awards were presented in the following categories:

· GDOT Leadership Award— Kerry Armstrong, North Fulton Community Improvement District

· Best Overall Program:

· Mid-Sized Employer – The Hartford

· Large Employer – Delta Air Lines

· Property Manager – Seven Oaks Management for Perimeter Summit

· Government Champions:

· State Employer – Georgia Institute of Technology

· Local Employer – Gwinnett County Government

· Telework Catalyst – State of Georgia

· Clean Air Schools:

· District of the Year – Rockdale County Schools

· School of the Year – Honey Creek Elementary, Rockdale County

· Champion of the Year – Jason Weinberger, teacher, Northview High School

· Dr. M. Gottschalk Student Environmental Leadership Award – Angela Henderson, Kemp Elementary

· UPS Exemplary Idle Reduction Program– Gwinnett County Government

Some 184 Platinum Partner organizations were also recognized during the celebration. To qualify as a Platinum Partner, at least 20 percent of all employee trips to an employer’s worksite must involve alternatives to driving alone, and companies must actively educate employees about commute options.  Property managers must also offer at least five amenities onsite that support commute options.

The theme for the 2013 PACE Awards program explored the many ways that workplaces and individuals are banding together for sustainable transportation through their involvement in Georgia Commute Options, a suite of programs that combine all of metro Atlanta’s alternate commute resources including commuter incentive programs, ridematching, employer services, telework consulting and more.

The ceremony was held at the Georgia-Pacific Auditorium in downtown Atlanta.