Travel Efficiencies

Commute Trip Reduction

Avista’s Commute Trip Reduction Program educates and encourages employees to make informed decisions about reducing their carbon footprint by reducing their “drive alone” miles. Drive alone miles are the miles an employee travels to their work site as a solo occupant vehicle. Avista values its commitment to complying with the Washington Clean Air Act and reducing automotive pollution and energy consumption.

Washington’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law (RCW 70.94.521) was adopted by the legislature in 1991 and incorporated into the Washington Clean Air Act. Its purpose is to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, and minimize energy consumption by encouraging employees to use an alternative commuting methods rather than driving alone. The law requires employers with more than 100 employees at a single worksite, in counties with 150,000 or more residents, to promote commute alternatives such as riding the bus, carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, walking, working from home, compressed work weeks and flexible work schedules.

Avista Employee Commute Trip Reduction Achievements
  2010 2009 2008
Drive alone miles eliminated 160,617 152,714 162,517
CO2 (carbon dioxide) pounds eliminated 154,504 8,401* 8,939*
*Numbers reported for 2008 and 2009 reflect carbon monoxide eliminated in pounds

Green Fleet

Avista’s green fleet initiative aims to improve productivity and reduce our carbon footprint by streamlining our fleet practices. By adopting clean fleet practices and cleaner forms of transportation, we can be more efficient and provide a safer, healthier working environment.

Avista's green fleet strategy focuses on activities within the following areas:

  1. Maintaining company vehicles to maximize efficiency, eliminating the unnecessary use of inefficient vehicles, and purchasing and using the “right-sized” vehicle for a particular job or service.
  2. Exploring green vehicle purchasing practices that include the use of cleaner fuels and technologies, including compressed natural gas, biofuels, and electric vehicles. For instance, in 2009 we added two electric-hybrid vehicles to our fleet (http://www.everylittlebit.com/SunCar.aspx).
  3. Educating employees to drive fewer and more efficient miles, use the most efficient vehicle to perform the job, and reduce unnecessary idling time.

Avista’s fleet consists of more than 1,200 assets, including trucks, trailers, backhoes, and other pieces of equipment. Our fleet department works closely with supply chain to incorporate new purchasing strategies that help ensure Avista receives the best value for our investments.

In 2010 we developed a five-year fleet purchasing plan to maximize our buying-power through the bidding process. With this approach we expect to save an estimated $400,000 annually in fleet purchases.