IDOT receives state's highest environmental award | Events

(KFVS) - Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider announced Tuesday, January 15 that the Illinois Department of Transportation received a Green Government Award from the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council, recognizing the department's achievements in the fields of education and outreach, transportation and efficiency and conservation.

The award was presented during the Annual Sustainable Symposium recently held in Springfield.

"We are thrilled to receive this prestigious acknowledgement of our environmental protection efforts," said Secretary Schneider. "Governor Quinn is committed to being a strong leader in conservation, efficiency and environmental citizenship and IDOT is proud to continue to work diligently to be a part of the solution."

The Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council, chaired by Governor Quinn, was created to improve sustainability practices and policies. The council's members are from state agencies, as established under the Green Governments Illinois Act. The council annually presents awards to state agencies that have shown an exceptional commitment to improving environmental quality in Illinois.

The award to IDOT was based on three sustainable efforts, including IDOT's annual Rain Barrel Design contest involving schools across the state, a study in conjunction with the University of Illinois to test the feasibility of energy crop production in IDOT right-of-ways, and the development of a Hot Mix Asphalt composed entirely of recycled rock and gravel. IDOT is working toward more sustainable materials recycling that has the potential for widespread usage and cost savings.

In 2013, IDOT plans to increase its green efforts in construction, maintenance, operations, education and outreach, fuel conservation efforts and purchasing.

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