Local air agency seeking nominations to recognize efforts to improve quality

Here’s the press release from the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency:

Local Air Agency Accepting Nominations for Awards to Recognize Outstanding Efforts to Improve Air Quality in Buncombe County

Through the annual Clean Air Excellence Awards Program, the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency (WNCRAQA) will recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals who have made valuable contributions to air quality in Buncombe County. It recognizes unregulated improvements to air quality emissions or voluntary actions benefiting the air quality in the area.

In order to nominate your company (or another organization) for a Clean Air Excellence Award, please download the application form online at www.wncairquality.org/awards.htm and include a brief summary describing what the organization has done to improve air quality for Western North Carolina. Examples of voluntary pollution prevention measures include: significant energy efficiency upgrades, switching to more environmentally friendly and lower emitting solvents and cleaners, installing renewable energy systems, and upgrading fleet vehicles to more fuel efficient models. We ask that nominations be submitted to our Agency by February 15, 2013.

If you have any questions about the awards program, please contact Ashley Featherstone at ashley.featherstone@buncombecounty.org or 250-6778.

The WNCRAQA is responsible for air quality monitoring, permitting, and enforcement in Asheville and Buncombe County. We are pleased to provide these awards to highlight voluntary efforts to improve air quality in Western North Carolina. A reception honoring the Clean Air Excellence Awards recipients will take place in March at the Agency.