SCAQMD Recognizes College of the Desert with Clean Air Education and Outreach Award

From College of the Desert:

PALM DESERT, CA—College of the Desert (COD) wins Clean Air Education and Outreach Award at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Clean Air Awards for 2016. “This prestigious award honors visionaries in our region who have helped to fight for clean air through innovation, leadership and exemplary service,” as stated in the award notification letter.

Superintendent/President Joel L. Kinnamon, Ed.D., received the award for College of the Desert at the event held in the Riverside Convention Center on October 7, 2016.

Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) Larry McLaughlin and Automotive Department Head Douglas Redman have teamed up to conduct numerous clean fuel vehicle outreach and training activities throughout the region, such as:

- Trained public transit technicians on CNG heavy-duty vehicle system diagnostics and maintenance (member of the Southern California Region Transit Training Consortium)

- Provided regular specialized training in alternative fuels for technicians in public and private fleets, both light and heavy-duty vehicles, across the region

- Conducted courses for licensing of Bureau of Automotive Repair SMOG emissions inspection and repair technicians, and certification of CNG cylinder inspectors

- Developed curricula in natural gas and hydrogen vehicle systems

The Clean Air Education and Outreach Award received by College of the Desert followed an industry open-house and advisory meeting, attended by SCAQMD representatives, where companies came together to provide COD input on the type of training they need. These companies represented clean fuel users from around the region. “We’re proud at College of the Desert to have the opportunity of playing a role in the region’s adoption and utilization of clean alternative fuels. We do this by conducting workforce training, curriculum development, and providing technical assistance to support our region’s fleet operators. To do this effectively, it’s important to reach out and dialog with the industry – something we always try to do,” said Larry McLaughlin, DSN, Advanced Transportation & Renewable Energy, during a pre-award interview.

The South Coast AQMD is the air pollution agency for Orange County and urban areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The region covers 10,743 square miles and is among the smoggiest areas in the U.S. The South Coast AQMD encourages individuals, organizations and local businesses to participate in helping to clean the air. For more information about the SCAQMD, visit www.aqmd.gov.

Photo via left to right: Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) Larry McLaughlin, Superintendent/President Joel L. Kinnamon, Ed.D., and Automotive Department Head Douglas Redman, display the award received at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Clean Air Awards for 2016.

Image via College of the Desert.