UPS No. 1 Shipper on ‘Climate Counts’ Scorecard for Third Year in a Row

For the third year in a row, UPS has earned the top score in the consumer shipping sector on the annual “Climate Counts” scorecard. UPS also shared the 11th highest score across all industries alongside Sony, Nokia and AB Electrolux among 144 ranked companies.

UPS ranked No. 1 in the consumer shipping sector with a score of 80, remaining ahead of competitors Deutsche Post World Net/DHL, the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx, which ranked second, third and fourth, respectively.

Climate Counts, an organization that works to bring consumers and companies together in the fight against global climate change, ranks the world's largest companies based on 21 criteria that focus on measuring and reducing climate impact, corporate support of public policy initiatives on climate change and openness and transparency in reporting.

Climate Counts issues a shopping guide to help consumers “support companies that take climate change seriously and avoid those that don't,” according to the non-profit organization.

“This recognition is significant because Climate Counts rigorously evaluates performance rather than corporate marketing claims,” said Scott Wicker, UPS’s chief sustainability officer. “The Climate Counts shopping guide provides consumers with a signpost for companies that are truly committed to environmentally-responsible business practices.”
           
The Climate Counts ranking is just the latest in a long list of honors for environmental leadership awarded to UPS. Other recent honors include: Highest score in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (tied with three others); No. 1 in the Carbon Disclosure Project S&P 500 and tied with three others in the Global 500; Interbrand Top 50 Best Global Green Brands, and Fortune’s Most Admired Companies list.
           
“UPS’s repeated and consistent top ranking in the shipping segment highlights our efforts to measure, manage and reduce our carbon footprint while offering consumers more choices that support their commitment to the environment,” Wicker added.

The Climate Counts scorecard can be found at http://www.climatecounts.org/. More information about UPS’s sustainability initiatives is available at http://ups.com/responsibility.

KCFC Elects 2012 Officers and Board of Directors

KCFC board members elected the following officers at their December 7 meeting:

2012 Officers
President  - William Jacob, UPS
Vice President - Thomas Clark, Eaton
Secretary  - Len Dunman, Mercer Transportation
Treasurer  - Vic Peek 

The following directors were approved by the membership:

2012 Board of Directors
Jimmy Carter, Ferrellgas 
John Lyons, Kentucky Division of Air Quality
Laura Knoth, Kentucky Corn Growers
Mike Mulheirn, Jefferson County Public Schools
Steve Workman, University of Kentucky
Tim Hughes, Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence   
Dickie Turner, Murray State University
Greg Davis, Forever Resorts/Mammoth Cave Hotel
Bob Hook, Bob Hook Chevrolet 
David Huff, LG&E/KU 
Dr. Jagannadh Satyavolu, Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, University of Louisville
Marie Burnett, Waste Management of Kentucky
Past President Tracey Thurman, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government

Meet Kentucky's Greenest Fleets

 The Pioneer Fleets of the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program were announced December 7 at the KCFC Winter Meeting. Each are working to improve the environmental performance of their vehicle fleets by reducing petroleum fuel use:



Breathitt County Board of Education
Jefferson County Public Schools
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
Kentucky Division of Fleet Management
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Louisville Regional Airport Authority
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mercer Transportation Company
Murray State University
Transit Authority of River City
UPS
Waste Management of Kentucky

Learn more about each Pioneer Fleet Member's fleet greening efforts and the Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program

The Pioneer Green Fleets members proudly display their certificates.

View photos from the awards ceremony on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kycleanfuels

Kentucky Companies Benefit from a Portion of $44 Million Advanced Biofuel Bump from USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in October $44.6 million in payments for 156 advanced biofuel producers across the country to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels.

"This funding will help local producers increase the production and availability of renewable energy and thus help our nation begin to reduce its reliance on foreign oil," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Just as importantly, USDA's support will help to further develop the nation's growing biofuels industry and generate green jobs and economic growth."

The funding is being provided through USDA's Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels program, which makes payments to eligible producers to support and ensure the expanding production of advanced biofuels. Payments are based on the amount of biofuels a recipient produces from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. Eligible examples include biofuels derived from cellulose; crop residue; animal, food and yard waste material; biogas (landfill and sewage waste treatment gas); vegetable oil, and animal fat. Through this and other programs, USDA is working to support the research, investment and infrastructure necessary to build a biofuels industry that creates jobs and conserves natural resources across America, officials say.

For example, in Dubuque, IA, Western Dubuque Biodiesel LLC received a $487,871 payment. This biodiesel production facility produces 30 million gallons per year using soybean oil, canola oil and tallow esters as feedstock. And in Kinsale, VA, the Potomac Supply Corporation received a $36,530 payment for producing two types of advanced biofuels: fuel pellets and dry kiln. Both are made from clean pine chips, sawdust and shavings feedstock. The department says the payment to the two facilities helped save a total of 28 jobs.

Kentucky companies that will receive USDA funding:

•     Griffin Industries, Inc.: $86,099.81 for Biofuel From Waste Products.
•     Owensboro Grain Company, LLC: $1,026,463.07 for Biodiesel Trans Esterification.
•     Somerset Hardwood Flooring: $49,449.09 for Pellets.
•     Southern Kentucky Pellet Mill, Inc. : $6,572.64 for Pellets.

For more information, visit the USDA's news release web page.

Kroger Opens E85 Fueling in Newport

Northern Kentucky residents now have a third location to fill their Flex Fuel Vehicles with E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) - the Kroger at 130 Pavilion Parkway in Newport. E85Prices.com reports that they were selling E85 last week for $2.68, 21% less than gasoline.

Hybrid Electric School Bus Joins Fleet in Crittenden County

(Marion, KY) – Crittenden County Schools in Marion, KY took delivery of their first new hybrid electric school bus today, and expect to reap fuel savings benefits throughout the new school year and beyond.

As the hybrid electric joins the Crittenden fleet of 35 buses, Superintendent  Dr. Rachel Yarborough noted, “Our school district has continued to seek ways to be as efficient as possible with resources. The new hybrid bus that is now added to our fleet underscores our commitment to seek innovative solutions to energy efficiency.” 

The new bus, manufactured by International Bus, was delivered to Dr. Yarborough and Transportation Director Al Starns, by Mark Cahill, Bluegrass International.  District bus drivers, mechanics, and first responders were all trained highlighting best operational practices for the hybrid-electric system. 

 

The bus uses an Eaton Hybrid System, a regenerative system that puts power back into the hybrid battery when the driver applies the brake.  Stop and start routes that generally do not exceed 50 mph provide the best performance for the hybrid system.  Hybrid electric buses already in operation across the state are seeing 30% or greater fuel savings. 

Thirty-two school districts across Kentucky currently operate 157 hybrid electric buses. Kentucky is home to the largest hybrid electric school bus fleet in the nation.  Over 200 hybrid buses will be purchased with the 12.9 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded in December 2009. The Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition wrote and submitted the grant, working with the Kentucky Department of Education.  The KCFC is a non profit organization.

Performance data for these hybrid school buses is being gathered by the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, a non-profit organization that administers the grant with the Kentucky Department of Education.

Find data at http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/.

KCFC's Melissa Howell Inducted into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame

The Clean Cities Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to the Clean Cities mission of reducing petroleum use in U.S. transportation. Inductees are ambassadors for alternative fuels and champions for fuel economy. Their exemplary dedication and leadership are paving the way for a new transportation future.

Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director Melissa Howell was inducted in 2011, the Hall of Fame's inaugural year.

Melissa Howell is a cornerstone of Clean Cities. She has been with the program since its beginning in 1993, when she helped found Kentucky's Commonwealth Clean Cities Partnership. Ever the consummate professional, Howell's dedication to reducing petroleum use in transportation has weathered all manner of political and economic conditions. Howell is known for her persistence in inspiring fleets to action, and she brought several high-profile stakeholders to the alternative-fuel table, including Mammoth Cave National Park, Fort Knox military base, UPS, and the World Equestrian Games. And thanks to Howell's leadership, thousands of children across the state of Kentucky ride to school on hybrid electric and biodiesel buses.

Howell is the original Clean Cities mentor, having coached new coordinators to success long before a formal mentorship program was established. She is always willing to share her vast experience and knowledge with other coalitions to reinvigorate stalled projects and instill confidence in rising leaders. Howell's impressive body of work with Clean Cities makes her the example other coordinators seek to follow.

In 2008, Howell was named Clean Cities Coordinator of the Year, and in 2005, she received the Southeast Region Award.

See all of the Clean Cities Hall of Fame inductees - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/hall_of_fame.html