Maricopa County Blue Sky Award Winners Acknowledged at Annual Air Quality Conference
Awards given to businesses and individuals working to reduce air pollution
PHOENIX (Oct. 27, 2009) – Maricopa County’s Air Quality Department announced the winners of the Blue Sky Awards during the 2009 Annual Air Quality Conference, October 20 at Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center. Awards were given to individuals and organizations that demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable contributions in protecting and enhancing air quality in Maricopa County.
“Recognizing those who have been making a difference by reducing emissions and raising awareness for the importance of air quality to our health, our economy and our community is a top priority for the Air Quality Department,” said Lawrence Odle, director of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. “We are making substantial progress in this endeavor and, as can be seen through the singular accomplishments of our award recipients, we are very much Partnering for Cleaner Air.”
The City of Phoenix was the recipient of the Government Agency Excellence in Air Pollution Reduction Efforts Award. The City of Phoenix was presented the award due to their innovative contributions in effective partnerships to address air quality issues. The City of Phoenix has worked diligently to pave unpaved city-owned streets, stabilize the Salt River alluvial area by removing trash and eliminating vehicle trespassing, conduct inspections on city-owned vacant lots and aggressively pursue parking lot enforcement on unpaved areas. In addition, the City operates an alternative clean vehicle fleet, and shepherded in a new light rail system in pursuit of cleaner air.
The Outstanding Industry Manager Award was presented to Kenneth Wray, Pulte Homes Field Manager for Land Development in Maricopa County. The award is designed to identify an environmental manager who has demonstrated exceptional leadership resulting in air quality benefits beyond limitations contained in the facility permit to minimize air pollution in Maricopa County along with establishing an outstanding compliance record.
Kitchell was the recipient of the Air Quality Excellence Award. Kitchell developed a Construction Environmental Management Program which demonstrates significant initiative, commitment, leadership and accomplishment in developing and implementing a program that has resulted in substantive and long-term air quality benefits or awareness. Kitchell’s record of leadership and recognizing the importance of environmental compliance demonstrates a sincere commitment to cleaner air.
Other Blue Sky Award recipients include:
- ON Semiconductor, Air Pollution Reduction and Compliance Award
- Town of Queen Creek, Exceptional Public Education/Outreach Program Award
- Lehigh Southwest Cement Company, Innovative Control Technology Implementation Award
- Vulcan Materials Company – Western Division, Innovative Research Award
- Jaime Zito, Outstanding Blue Sky Academic Recognition Award
For more information about the Maricopa County Blue Sky Award winners click here.
About Maricopa County Air Quality Department
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department is a regulatory agency whose goal is to ensure federal clean air standards are achieved and maintained for the residents and visitors of Maricopa County. The department is governed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and follows air quality standards set forth by the Federal Clean Air Act.
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