Press Room

Governor Names Valley CAN Winner of 2008 Top Enviormental Leadership Award

SACRAMENTO ÐGovernor Schwarzenegger announced today that Valley Clean Air Now (CAN) has won the 2008 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) for its Tune In and Tune Up program.

GEELA is the California's highest and most prestigious environmental honor. The award program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership for voluntary achievements in conserving CaliforniaÕs resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, and building public-private partnerships.

"This honor recognizes Valley CAN's commitment to developing socially responsible and environmentally friendly practices that promote environmental protection and economic growth," said Michael Martin, President of Valley CAN. "Valley CAN has an obligation to our families and community to protect our natural resources and environment for generations to come."

Valley CAN sponsors a vehicle clean up program to help reduce pollutants generated by out of tune vehicles in the San Joaquin Valley called Tune In & Tune Up. The Valley is home to a large number of older vehicles, some of which are not registered and do not meet smog standards. The Tune In & Tune Up program helps vehicle owners take voluntary steps to improve air quality by providing financial assistance for emission related repairs. A typical Tune In & Tune Up event removes approximately 3,000 tons of carbon monoxide, 300 tons of hydrocarbons, and 150 tons of oxides of nitrogen from the air in one year.

Award recipients are chosen in eight different categories based on their strength in specific areas, including results, transferability, environmental impact, resource conservation, economic progress, innovation and uniqueness, pollution prevention, and environmental justice. ValleyCAN won an award in the category of Environmental and Economic Partnerships.

Valley CAN is one of only 21 other recipients that will accept awards at tonight's ceremony in Sacramento.

The Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards program was established in 1993. The award program is administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Resources Agency in collaboration with the State and Consumer Services Agency, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

Go to www.valley-can.org for more information about the Tune In and Tune Up program. For more information on GEELA and this year's award recipients, visit the Cal/EPA Web site: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Awards/GEELA/

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