The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) Board of Directors has announced at their May 23rd meeting that the AVTA is the 2017 recipient of the California Air Quality Leadership in Government Award. They are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to California’s clean air future. A world leader in the Race to Zero emissions (R2ZE), the AVTA is being honored for their conversion of the Antelope Valley’s entire fleet to electric buses.
“By fulfilling our goal of conversion to an all-electric fleet, we are not only making a significant contribution to preserving air quality, but executing a sound financial decision for AVTA. It is truly a win-win situation for the state of California and the community we serve” expressed AVTA Board Chairman Marvin Christ.
The award is being presented by the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA), California’s only statewide organization working exclusively on air quality issues. The Coalition is responsible for achieving several historical milestones in improving air quality since its inception in 1971. They served as the brainchild of California’s original Smog Check program and have been instrumental in helping pass legislation to put 1 million electric vehicles on California’s roads by 2025. CCA has achieved worldwide recognition as a driving force behind socially and environmentally responsible air policy.
“CCA is dedicated to their mission of restoring clean, healthy air to California, and AVTA is proud to serve as an ambassador to that goal,” said AVTA CEO Len Engel. “Our achievement in advancing environmentally sustainable transit solutions would not be possible without the support of LA County and we are grateful for the investment they have made in our vision”.
On June 9th, 2017, at the 26th annual California Air Quality Awards luncheon, AVTA will take the stage alongside government, business, and citizen advocates who share in the common goal of improving the future of air quality in California.