NEWS RELEASE

Shell Eco-marathon 2010 Team Inspires HRM Fleet

(Friday, March 5, 2010) - Halifax Regional Municipality Fleet staff looked to Dalhousie’s Shell Eco-marathon Team for a little ‘green’ inspiration.

The team gave staff a sneak peak at its entry in the Shell Eco-marathon in Houston, Texas. The competition challenges high school and college teams from around the world to design, build, and test energy efficient vehicles. The winner of the March 26, 2010 event is the team whose vehicle travels the furthest distance with the least energy. The team improved upon its 2009 entry through a 15% weight reduction.

"Witnessing the development of a locally-driven, innovative project around fuel efficiency is inspiring and challenges our staff to continually think outside of the box. This project shows that a little innovation can have huge payback,” said Richard MacLellan, Acting Manager of the Sustainable Environment Management Office.

"We wish the Dalhousie Eco-marathon Team 2010 the best of luck in Houston this month,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “HRM is committed to being a “greener” community, with a goal to reducing our GHG (green house gas) emissions 20% below 2002 levels by 2012. I am so pleased to see the innovation of these young leaders in this project and hope they are able to turn their incredible innovation into reailty," said Mayor Peter Kelly.

HRM staff contributed to the sponsorship of the team in return for a series of presentations on the project to front-line fleet services staff. They saw the opportunity as a way to encourage innovation around vehicle fuel efficiency and promote the importance of invention for environmental sustainability solutions. A second presentation is set for March 11, 2010.

For additional information visit: http://www.shell.com/home/content/ecomarathon/.

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Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010

Richard MacLellan
Acting Manager Sustainable Environment Management Office
(902) 490-6056 - email: maclelri@halifax.ca