College of the Desert (COD) Wins Clean Air Education and Outreach Award
Press Release – November 8, 2016
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.
Clean Fuel Vehicle Outreach and Training Activities
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:
- Training public transit technicians on CNG heavy-duty vehicle system diagnostics and maintenance (member of the Southern California Region Transit Training Consortium)
- Providing regular specialized training in alternative fuels for technicians in public and private fleets, both light and heavy-duty vehicles, across the region
- Conducting courses for licensing of Bureau of Automotive Repair SMOG emissions inspection and repair technicians, and certification of CNG cylinder inspectors
- Developing curricula in natural gas and hydrogen vehicle systems
The Clean Air Education and Outreach Award received by College of the Desert was awarded just a few months after an industry open-house and advisory meeting attended by SCAQMD representatives. Companies came together at the June 8th meeting 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 dialogue 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.
