Antelope Valley Transit Authority Recognized for Environmental Efforts

For the second time in ten years, the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) has been awarded the William J. “Pete” Knight AIRE Award for its efforts to reduce emissions in the Antelope Valley.

The award was presented to AVTA Board Chair Norm Hickling during a recent board meeting of the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD).

“We are very pleased to be chosen as the recipient of this award, and to be recognized for not only providing safe and good-quality transit service in the Antelope Valley, but also for striving to be a supporter of the environment,” said Hickling. “We take our responsibility to the environment very seriously, and are proud to be a proponent of green technology in our community.”

The AIRE award recognizes the steps AVTA has taken this past year to reduce its carbon footprint and become a leader in promoting clean energy sources. In the forefront of these efforts is the purchase of two zero-emission electric buses from Lancaster manufacturer BYD.

The electric buses are currently being evaluated to determine the possibility of converting more of AVTA’s diesel fleet to electric, and initial tests have yielded extremely promising results. AVTA also operates 15 diesel-electric hybrids, and is pleased to report not only improved fuel efficiency, but a 35 percent overall reduction in emissions since September of 2012.

Additional efforts by the AVTA to “go green” include the installation of solar panel carports at its Lancaster facility. The sustainable Photovoltaic Solar Carport system, completed in 2013, is now generating 100 percent of the facility’s electric needs, as well as providing shade to AVTA’s buses. Solar light tubes installed throughout the facility provide natural light and further reduce the company’s reliance on electricity.

“We are extremely honored to receive the William J. “Pete” Knight AIRE Award for our efforts to make AVTA an environmentally friendly organization that stands out from the rest,” said AVTA Executive Director Julie Austin.

As the state of California continues to experience the worst drought in recorded history, AVTA has implemented water conservation strategies with the goal of reducing water consumption by 75 percent. These strategies include washing buses weekly instead of daily, and converting much of the facility’s landscaping to xeriscape. As a result of these measures, AVTA’s water usage has gone from 3.8 million gallons to just 900,000 annually, surpassing its goal.

During the award presentation, State Senator Steve Knight, R-Antelope Valley, applauded the transit agency’s efforts. “AVTA is at the forefront in promoting clean, efficient energy,” stated the senator. “The agency’s commitment to electric bus technology and its overall culture of environmental responsibility serves as a model for other agencies throughout the state of California.”