Southern Polytechnic State University was honored at the recent PACE Awards for its participation in the state-wide Clean Air Campaign. The annual PACE awards, recognizing the best of metro Atlanta's employer-based solutions to traffic congestion and air pollution, has honored SPSU two consecutive years at the platinum level.

"Achieving platinum-partner status again shows that SPSU is committed to its responsibility in being part of the environmental solution as we all work for a cleaner, better community," said Melanie Chastain Moore, SPSU's alternate transportation coordinator.

The Clean Air Campaign is a coalition of state agencies, businesses, organizations and individuals who have united to educate people about ground-level ozone and smog, and to encourage changes that can be made to reduce air pollution.

During the last year, SPSU has established a University Rideshare program that raises awareness of commuting options, promotes the benefits of commuting, and works to improve traffic congestion and air quality. As part of the program, SPSU has provided ride-matching assistance, vanpool subsidies, information on mass transit, and effective cycling courses. On smog-alert days, SPSU's plant operations staff has delayed lawn maintenance and the refueling of fleet vehicles, and SPSU employees have altered their commute behavior by carpooling, riding Cobb Community Transit (CCT), remaining on campus for lunch, and reducing their trips, according to Chastain Moore.

"Metro Atlantans alone drive 115 million miles each day," said Chastain Moore. " That's the same as a one-way trip to the sun. If everyone in the region drove five miles less each week, we'd reduce the total number of miles on our roads by 15 million."