News Release

Bus Engines Rev Up Environmental Excellence

An engineering team that developed a program to test bus emissions has been recognized with the City of Edmonton’s top environmental award. The team was among employees honoured today as the City handed out the Charles Labatiuk Awards for Environmental Excellence.

“City employees deserve recognition for their hard work every day to be environmental leaders,” said City Manager Simon Farbrother. “Our people and teams practice high standards of sustainability in their work and personal lives. The Charles Labatiuk Awards allow us to congratulate and award them for their continual commitment.”

The Charles Labatiuk Awards recognize employees who demonstrate environmental leadership in innovating and improving how the City does business.

The Fleet Services Engineering team created a program used to test emissions from the City’s fleet of 950 transit buses. Those emissions provide critical information on how well buses are running and whether they meet standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada. The program also provides important information on the health of bus engines, helping to keep buses on the road longer.

Edmonton Transit System collaborated with Fleet Services in creating the emissions-testing program.

The other finalists were:

• Edmonton Valley Zoo Green Team: This team is known for their dedication to improving the environmental impact of on-site practices and encouraging sustainability in the lives of employees at work and at home.
• Jasmine Hestad, Environmental Leadership and Vision: As an employee at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, Jasmine has spearheaded partnerships with international climate groups such as Polar Bears International, TerraCycle, and Eco-cell. She started a waste collection program based out of the Zoo that diverts an incredible amount of waste from the landfill.

The award is named in honour of the late Charles Labatiuk, Ph.D., P.Eng. Charles was a longtime employee of the City of Edmonton and a passionate environmentalist.