A federal agency has recognized a husband and wife from northwest Indiana who lead nonprofit organizations that promote the use of clean fuels and clean vehicle technologies.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) honored Carl and Lorrie Lisek for their dedication and accomplishments in reducing northern Indiana's and Wisconsin's dependence on petroleum in transportation. Carl is executive director of South Shore Clean Cities, and Lorrie is executive director of Wisconsin Clean Cities.
The organizations deploy alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, and improvements for idle reduction and fuel economy. From 2011 to 2014, South Shore Clean Cities reduced the equivalent of more than 41,100,000 gallons of gasoline and more than 280,000 tons of greenhouse gases. Wisconsin Clean Cities reduced the equivalent of more than 40,200,000 gallons of gasoline and almost 170,000 tons of greenhouse gases.
DOE's National Clean Cities Director Dennis Smith and Co-Director Linda Bluestein inducted the Liseks into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame in Lemont, Illinois, during the 2015 Clean Cities Coordinator Workshop. Nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions from across the country attended.
The Liseks were inducted with other coordinators who lead the Lake Michigan Consortium, which is a collaboration between Wisconsin Clean Cities, Chicago Area Clean Cities and South Shore Clean Cities. Founded in 2007, the consortium comprises more than 500 member organizations. It serves a population of more than 9.8 million people.
The consortium works closely to provide support and technical expertise for stakeholders using or considering alternative fuel vehicles. The coalitions hold numerous outreach events and training sessions aimed at educating the public, commercial and municipal fleet managers, and automotive technicians in an effort to reduce petroleum use.
Bluestein credited the Liseks for their work with the Clean Cities organization.
"Carl is a proven master at communication and connecting people. As a native of the Chicago area, I truly appreciate what he and the consortium are doing to keep our community clean and energy secure," she said. "Lorrie grew her coalition from just a few members to more than 80 members in 2015. She has a well-earned reputation for being able to organize events and obtain funding for coalition projects, and the consortium has made tremendous advances in alternative fueling infrastructure by growing the number of stations from 26 in 2013 to 308 in 2014."
The Liseks said they want to continue to make an impact on northern Indiana and Wisconsin.
"We are making significant contributions to northern Indiana, Wisconsin and the Lake Michigan area with the reduction of petroleum in transportation," Carl Lisek said. "This recognition reflects not only on Lorrie and I, but also our colleagues, partners and members. We intend to strengthen South Shore Clean Cities and Wisconsin Clean Cities even further."
Lorrie Lisek attributed the organizations' success to the DOE and its continued support.
"The DOE's leaders should be commended for their commitment to strengthening the country's initiatives for air quality and reducing its dependence on imported oil," she said. "Without this commitment, the Clean Cities program would not have proven itself as valuable as it has been around the country."
The Liseks, owners of Legacy Environmental Services, Inc. based in the Purdue Research Park of Northwest Indiana, serve as executive leadership for Wisconsin Clean Cities and South Shore Clean Cities. They have been with the Clean Cities program since 2006.