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Valley CAN Holds Second Year Anniversary Board Meeting
Organization Highlights Accomplishments and Unveils Future Plans
Fresno --Valley CAN (Clean Air Now) held an open board meeting at the Fresno County Library's Woodward Park Branch today to showcase their accomplishments to date and unveil future plans to improve air quality in the San Joaquin Valley. Board members, grant recipients and Valley CAN staff presented the results of programs created to reduce air pollution.
"Valley CAN is excited about what is in store for the upcoming year, and we plan to keep building upon our Business Recognition Program, grants and Tune In & Tune Up events," said Gus Freshwater, President of Valley CAN. "We will continue to provide real world solutions to improving air quality. Our hope is to generate positive, lasting change in the San Joaquin Valley."
The board delivered the Second Year Report (available at www.valley-can.org), which highlights the organization's accomplishments and suggests next year's course of action to reduce air pollution. Several grant recipients updated the board on the progress of their program.
A representative of United Parcel Service made a presentation on how the company has made air quality improvements one of their core values.
"Millions of packages are delivered daily by the UPS fleet of alternative fuel and low emission vehicles," said Scott Lavery, East Bay District Automotive Manager. "We strive to protect the environment for people in the communities in which we operate. This is UPS's corporate policy."
Over the past two years Valley CAN has granted more than $690,000 to organizations through out the Valley. Valley CAN is committed to funding and developing new technologies and methods to clean the air.
Brent Green, with the City of Shafter also presented their goal to build a rail line from its city to the Port of Oakland, with a California Integrated Logistics Center (CILC) serving as the hub for the Valley's importing and exporting operations. The City took action and developed a multi-faceted plan that will provide the San Joaquin Valley with transportation options that will greatly improve Valley air quality.
"Valley CAN's early support allowed us to attract Northwest Container Services as a partner, which is crucial to making this project successful, said Brent Green, Shafter Business Development Director. "They are a major part of a very diverse coalition that is working hard to ensure this project is completed."
Each Valley CAN program seeks to improve air quality by forming partnerships with local businesses, residents and organizations that want to take voluntary steps to improve air quality.
"Thanks to Valley CAN, the Maddy Institute was able to produce a 5-part television series, 'The Greens of the San Joaquin' for the San Joaquin Valley," said Mark Keppler, Executive Director of Kenneth L Maddy Institute. "We believe the series has been very helpful in educating the public on air quality issues and showing residents simple steps by which everyone can help improve air quality."
Valley CAN is a charitable non-profit organization created to help demonstrate and support real-world solutions for improving air quality in the San Joaquin Valley.
To learn more about Valley CAN, please visit our website at www.valley-can.org and see what you can do to support clean air now.
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