[Southsider2k12]

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/106...e-innovate.html

Kelly Carmichael from Northern Indiana Public Service Co. provided an update on the company’s efforts to bring electric fueling stations to the region and other initiatives for homeowners and businesses to reduce their energy consumption.

More than 150 people attended the annual meeting and for the first time award-ceremony as SSCC took time to honor five local innovators in alternative energy that have helped move the agency’s mission forward.

Michigan City was honored for outstanding support of alternative fuels. In 2011 the city used more than 147,500 gallons of biodiesel in more than 135 pieces of municipal equipment — from fire engines and ambulances to off-road heavy equipment and generators.

The city also reduced over 261,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and more than 106 tons of particulate matter.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/cle...e9c0e951c6.html

South Shore Clean Cities recently recognized region leaders for their commitment and support of alternate fuels during the group's annual meeting.

Among those honored with 2012 South Shore Clean Cities Stakeholder Awards at the Feb. 14 event were the cty of Michigan City, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, U.S. Steel Corp., Tube City IMS and Cindy Lundquist.

Michigan City was cited for outstanding achievement in supporting alternate fuels. In 2011, the city used more than 147,000 gallons of a biodiesel blend in more than 135 pieces of municipal equipment, keeping more than 261,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and 106 tons of particulate matter from the atmosphere.

Michigan City also was lauded for its use of electric, propane and synthetic oils, which have reduced maintenance intervals on city vehicles from every 3,000 miles to every 6,000 miles.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/cle...l#ixzz1n2rFCPBS

[Southsider2k12]

http://heraldargus.com/articles/2012/02/22...b0613625691.txt

Michigan City receives award for using alternative fuels

By Tim Moran
Published: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 5:05 PM CST
Staff writer

Michigan City, one of 11 municipalities that help make up the South Shore Clean Cities partnership, was the only city or town presented with an award at the coalition’s annual meeting in Merrillville last week.

On hand to accept the city’s ‘Outstanding Achievement in Support of Alternative Fuels’ award, Central Maintenance Superintendent Charlie Cate said the distinction comes from five years of not only promoting the use of alternative fuels, but using them as well.

Cate says since 2007, the city has used an average of 145,000 gallons of alternative fuels, including biodiesel.

The use of biodiesel, the superintendent says, has allowed the department’s vehicles to go as far as 6,000 miles without an oil change — while the previous span had been 3,000 miles.

In an effort to eliminate emissions, an Environmental Protection Agency requirement later made a switch to low-sulfur diesel mandatory.

While other municipalities would have to survive without the natural lubricity present in high-sulfur fuel, Cate says Michigan City’s switch to biodiesel was “very important” in adding that natural lubricity.

Cate points to another responsible change, the switch to CITGO based synthetic oil, to the reason they were honored by the partnership.

“Prior to 2007, the city used 10W30, which is normal oil — but we began using 5W40,” he said.

Sanitary District General Manager Michael Kuss, who was present at the awards meeting, said the award “highlights the strong commitment to environmental excellence by the city.

“The continued support of the (Mayor Ron) Meer Administration toward environmental stewardship will help improve the Quality of Life for all Michigan City residents.”

Cate says the new practices which led to the award could result in the reduction of more than 100 tons of emissions a year.

He says that is particularly vital in La Porte County — citing an American Cancer Society study that showed 13 percent of the county’s residents have suffered from some type of lung ailment.

The awards presented to Michigan City and other non-municipality members of the SSCC at this year’s meeting was a first since the city became a member of the coalition in 2003.