The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality & Director Steve Owens have been honored as "Clean Air Champions" by the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition, Inc. & the Tucson Regional Clean Cities Coalition.
Owens & the ADEQ were selected for the "continuing leadership you have demonstrated in the pursuit of improved air quality," according to the Clean Cities Coalition groups.
One "outstanding example of this dedication," according to the groups, is ADEQ's innovative School Bus Idle Reduction Program, which hundreds of school districts around the state have implemented to drastically reduce harmful bus emissions in areas where students congregate.
The School Bus Idle Reduction Program "addresses the very heart of the need to protect the health of our younger citizens," according to the Clean Cities Coalition groups. "We also honor the contribution of your staff in dedicating their time & effort to help improve the quality of life here in the Valley of the Sun."
Director Owens said he & ADEQ staff take great pride in the award.
"This is a great honor, & it highlights the terrific work this department does in protecting the health of all Arizona residents, especially our children," Owens said.
The Clean Cities Coalitions are chartered by the U.S. Department of Energy with the goals of enforcing the standards of the Clean Air Act & energy security under the Energy Policy Act.