Services provided in new Spokane Central Service Center
Marlene Feist, City of Spokane Utilities, (509) 625-6505
Monday, February 22, 2016 at 11:45 a.m.
The City of Spokane’s Fleet Services Department has been recognized as an “EnviroStar” for its work to protect the environment by properly managing and reducing hazardous materials and waste. The department sought the certification after moving into the new Spokane Central Service Center, which was designed to comply with LEED green building criteria.
“As the City of Spokane proceeds with more than $300 million in work to improve the health of the Spokane River, it just makes sense to follow through with other practices that protect our river and drinking water supplies,” says Gene Jakubczak, the City’s Fleet Services Director. “Throughout the City, we are working to be financially and environmentally responsible, and this is one more demonstration of that commitment.”
The City’s Fleet Services operation is the first non-business entity to seek and receive the certification. The department received 5-star certification, which is the highest level of certification provided by the EnviroStars program.
“Five-star certification begins with properly managing hazardous wastes, includes conservation of resources and requires evidence of leadership in exploring safer alternatives and new technologies. The City of Spokane is to be commended for their leadership, and our hope is that other municipalities and businesses that maintain fleets of vehicles will undertake the EnviroStars certification. Vehicle maintenance is essential to protecting our River and Aquifer by keeping oils off of our streets and therefore out of stormwater,” says Tonilee Hanson, who manages the EnviroStars program in Spokane.
To receive the designation, the Fleet Services Department needed to demonstrate proper management of oil and chemicals used to repair and service the City’s fleet of vehicles. The department is responsible for maintaining a fleet of about 1,500 vehicles, including police cars, solid waste trucks, dump trucks, and a variety of specialized heavy equipment.
About EnviroStars
EnviroStars is a voluntary program designed to encourage good environmental stewardship. Statewide, more than 850 businesses are certified as environmentally responsible under the program. In Spokane, the partners sponsoring the program include the Spokane River Forum, Spokane Aquifer Joint Board, Spokane County, the City of Spokane, the Spokane Riverkeeper, Spokane Regional Clean Air, Spokane Regional Health District, and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
