CAPCOG and the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition (CAC) on Wednesday recognized Rich Segal, Dr. Peter Beck, Olivia Prior, Bill Gibbs, and Movability with its 2023 Air Central Texas awards. The awards celebrate the activities by organizations and individuals that have made significant contributions to the region’s air quality and inspire future actions to support the CAC’s ongoing regional air quality planning efforts.
Movability received the 2023 Air Central Texas Outstanding Organization Award. It currently have 86 member organizations, representing roughly 30,000 employees. Through its work, these organizations offer commuter benefits and reduce demand for drive-alone trips and parking resources. Members have logged 7,500 commute trips a year, which has resulted in a 24-ton reduction in CO2, a 31.4 lb. reduction in NOX, and saved commuters roughly $34,000.
Rich Segal received the 2023 Air Central Texas Media Award for his exceptional media coverage of air quality or air quality issues within the past year as a meteorologist at KXAN. Segal has regularly announced Ozone Action Days, and highlighted the Be Air Smart School Sensor program, which is jointly run by Air Central Texas, the Clean Air Force and Austin FC.
Dr. Peter Beck received the 2023 Air Central Texas Environmental Education Award for his exceptional leadership on air quality and environmental education. Beck was an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Policy (ENSP) at St. Edward’s University from 2003-2023. He was responsible for starting the ENSP program at St. Edward’s, which has taught thousands of students about the effects of environmental pollution on ecosystems and human communities, and the pros and cons of various policy solutions. He is being honored posthumously.
Olivia Prior received the 2023 Air Aware Student Leadership Award for her roles as the Governmental Affairs Director for Students for Sustainability and as a Senator for the Student Government Association at St. Edward’s University. In these leadership capacities, prior shares information about the importance of reducing air pollution during Ozone Action Days, the availability and impact of using public transportation, and how we can rethink transportation and commuting in Austin.
Bill Gibbs received the 2023 Bill Gill Central Texas Air Quality Leadership Award for his distinguished work as the Executive Director of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas. A lifelong advocate of sustainability, he committed to keeping air quality in Central Texas in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards so all can enjoy healthy air. As leader of the Clean Air Force, Gibbs reached out to local businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, and government agencies to bring them together as advocates for the reduction of air pollution.
