A photo of the Clean Cities Hall of Fame winners posing with their awards on an outdoor balcony.

Don Francis and Rick Price are 2016 Hall of Fame Award Winners

Coordinators Don Francis and Rick Price are the latest inductees into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Hall of Fame, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the program’s mission of reducing petroleum use in U.S. transportation. Clean Cities Director Dennis Smith and Co-Director Linda Bluestein inducted the two coordinators into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame on September 1, 2016 while in Knoxville, Tenn., where representatives from nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions from across the country gathered for the 2016 Clean Cities Coordinator Workshop. The coordinators helm Clean Cities-Georgia and Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities coalitions, respectively.

Under the Hall of Fame winners’ leadership, in 2015 alone their coalitions averted more than 79,000 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions combined through use of alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and fuel efficiency measures. The GHG savings equate to removing more than 17,673 passenger cars from the road. The same year, the coalition’s combined efforts also saved more than 24.8 million gallons of petroleum. These accomplishments have contributed to the Clean Cities program’s ability to save more than 7.5 billion gallons of petroleum since its inception in 1993.

“Don and Rick are truly emissaries for the program—the type of leaders who you hold up to represent the program,” Smith said. “They are people who know how to get things done.”Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015)

Francis was recognized for the leadership he has demonstrated in helping the state of Georgia to become a national leader in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and related infrastructure. Thanks in large part to his promotion of the state’s wildly successful Electric Vehicle Rebate Program, Georgia experienced skyrocketing growth in EV registrations—from 1,469 to 10,482 in just 12 months (from March 2013 to March 2014), making the state second only behind California’s 77,222 EVs.

Price was acknowledged for his impressive skill in leading statewide educational efforts. During his time as coordinator, Price spearheaded the inaugural Tri-State Alternative Fuel Conference and Expo. The event was the first educational trade show and conference of its kind in the area to promote the use of alternative energy sources in an effort to revolutionize the transportation industry, boost local and national economies, and protect the environment. Additionally, Price created a hugely successful partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County to provide alternative fuel vehicle training. He has also held workshops aimed at helping fellow coordinators secure project grants.

To read more about the winners’ accomplishments and see past award winners, visit the Clean Cities Hall of Fame.

  • Kendall Septon, National Renewable Energy Laboratory