FRANCIS ENERGY AND THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO HONORED WITH ACOG CLEAN CITIES VISION AWARDS

Recognizing Regional Leadership in Alternative Fuels and Clean Transportation

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Central Oklahoma Clean Cities Coalition on August 6, by honoring regional leaders who are advancing alternative fuels, electric vehicle infrastructure and transportation innovation across Oklahoma.

More than 50 public and private sector partners attended the anniversary celebration recognizing three decades of collaboration that has helped position Oklahoma as a national leader in alternative fuels and transportation energy.

This year’s Zach D. Taylor Vision Award winners are Francis Energy (Private Sector) and the Oklahoma City Zoo (Public Sector).

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Tulsa with almost a century of energy roots in Oklahoma, Francis Energy has grown into one of the nation’s largest privately held EV charging networks. 

“Francis Energy represents the vision and innovation of Oklahoma’s transportation energy leadership story,” said Eric Pollard, Central Oklahoma Clean Cities Manager. “Oklahoma companies with Francis helping lead the way are building the transportation energy infrastructure of today and tomorrow.”

The Oklahoma City Zoo received the award for investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and emissions reduction projects that complement its broader conservation mission. Two large solar canopies connected to 4 level 2 EV chargers are planned to be completed and available to Zoo visitors next year.

“ACOG applauds the Oklahoma City Zoo Trust and staff for a Clean Cities vision to improve regional air quality through a number of programs including their fleet operations,” said Mark W. Sweeney, ACOG Executive Director. “This is what we love to celebrate — practical, visible, and forward-looking projects that provide an enhanced experience for the public.”

In addition to the deployment awards, Oklahoma State Representative Arturo Alonso-Sandoval was recognized for championing legislation that supports recovering critical minerals from consumer batteries for use in Oklahoma manufacturing. Less than 10 percent of consumer batteries are recycled and instead are tossed into municipal waste streams where they are increasingly causing fires on trash trucks and at waste facilities.

Dr. Dong Zhang, an Assistant Professor in the University of Oklahoma Gallogly College of Engineering School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering as well as the Director of the Energy Systems and Controls Lab, is being recognized as Central Oklahoma Clean Cities Coalition Stakeholder of the Year for leading US Department of Energy funded community transportation, mobility, and energy projects as well as spearheading an ACOG Public Fleet grant to expand EV charging on campus.

Since 1996, the Coalition has worked with local governments, utilities, businesses and state and federal partners to reduce petroleum use, improve transportation efficiency and expand the deployment of alternative fuel technologies throughout Oklahoma. Visit okcleancities.org for more information.