FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                 

February 6, 2003

SKAGIT COUNTY – Two 2003 Toyota Pirius gas/electric low emission vehicles are on order by Skagit County, thanks to a $20,000 provided by Shell Puget Sound Refinery. The two vehicles will be used for general transportation by Skagit County Health Department personnel. “This is an opportunity to begin reconfiguring our fleet for the future,” said Dub McQueen, Skagit County Public Works Equipment and Revolving Fund Coordinator “This pays the difference for us to upgrade from what we normally pay for an economy car.”

These funds are part of the Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) being paid by Shell Puget Sound Refinery. The SEP fund was the result of an agreement between Equilon Enterprises, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Northwest Air Pollution Authority. Equilon agreed to make major investments in plant technology to reduce plant emission and the company also agreed to provide funds for EPA-approved local projects aimed at reducing pollution. In 2001, Shell purchased Texaco’s interests in Equilon which had been a Shell and Texaco joint venture.

Shell Puget Sound Refinery was required to invest $500,000 in projects approved by the EPA. Other local uses of the fund include conversion of SKAT buses to operate on ultra-low sulfur diesel, marine research for local students, and two low emission hybrid vehicles for the Anacortes School District Driver’s Education Program.

For further information, contact:              

Dan Berentson 
Communications Director 

360.419.3461

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