Oregon Department of Energy Awarded Three Fleet and Innovation Awards from Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition

The agency and staff were recognized for their dedication to promoting alternative fuels in Oregon.

SALEM – The Oregon Department of Energy received three Fleet and Innovation Awards from the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition at the Portland Auto Show on January 28.

The Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, founded in 1994, is a sub-chapter of the National Clean Cities Coalition. Its goal is to encourage public and private fleet operators to convert fleets to alternative, domestically-produced fuels. The coalition’s Fleet and Innovation Awards recognize local individuals and organizations that are making a difference in the alternative fuels movement.

ODOE was given an Award of Excellence for its dedication to promoting alternative fuels in Oregon and its role hosting the coalition for the last decade. In addition to an agency-wide award, Senior Policy Analyst Rick Wallace also received special recognition for his work as the coalition’s Coordinator.

Wallace was the first-ever inductee into the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition Hall of Fame for his many years of service, his dedication to alternative fuels, and his work advising fleets on converting to alternative fuels. Thanks to ODOE’s suite of programs and Rick’s expertise and guidance, organizations and municipalities across Oregon are making the switch to alternative fuel vehicle fleets.

Senior Policy Analyst Julie Peacock also received an Award of Excellence for her role as co-Coordinator.

“ODOE is committed to promoting alternative fuels,” Director Michael Kaplan said. “Thanks to the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition for this honor, and for recognizing members of our stellar team.”

CONTACT: Jenny Kalez, 503-480-9239 Rachel Wray, 503-689-0294

About the Oregon Department of Energy: The Oregon Department of Energy helps Oregonians improve the energy efficiency of their homes, provides policy expertise to prepare for Oregon’s future energy needs, staffs the Energy Facility Siting Council, provides technical and financial assistance to encourage investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy resources, promotes the cleanup of the Hanford nuclear site, and ensures state preparedness to respond to emergencies at energy facilities