Oakland port receives EPA award

Oakland port receives EPA award The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named an alternative fueled-vehicle program led by the Port of Oakland as a 2007 Environmental Award recipient.
   The Clean Vehicle Partnership, led by the port, Pacific Gas & Electric, Clean Air Transport and Quality Terminal Services, replaced nearly a dozen port diesel vehicles with cleaner-burning natural gas vehicles. The program cut annual diesel fuel consumption of the vehicles by 5,000 gallons and reduced emissions.
   The port program was one of three-dozen individuals and organizations throughout the EPA's Pacific Southwest region to receive awards this year. The awards, given to recognize efforts to protect and preserve the environment, are based on nominations submitted to the EPA.
   Among those sharing the spotlight with the port program were an Oakland-based nail salon collaborative, a Bay Area group that motivated more than 500,000 residents to take action to stop junk mail, and a University of California, Davis, researcher studying how flatulence and manure from dairy cows add to state smog.