Valley of the Sun Employers Recognized as
Best Workplaces for CommutersSM by EPA

Phoenix, AZ – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated 60 Valley companies as Best Workplaces for CommutersSM. On Wednesday, June 23rd, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) representatives will be joined by Vice Mayor Peggy Bilsten, Win Holden, chairman of the board for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and other Valley leaders for a press conference to announce the companies awarded the National Standard of Excellence by the EPA. The event will take place at 10:30 at the Bank One Ballpark, located at 401 E. Jefferson. Parking will be available in the BOB parking structure, south of the ballpark. Security will direct participants to open parking.

Win Holden said, “These companies are setting the standard all companies, large and small, should aspire to. Their commitment to both cleaner air and a better quality of life for their employees deserves our appreciation and recognition. They are paving an easier path for all Valley commuters.”

To be selected as a Best Workplace for CommutersSM, employers must offer their employees one major commute benefits such as employer-provided transit passes, vanpool subsidies, or have a significant telework program. At least three supporting benefits like preferred parking for carpools, a ridematching program, participation in an ozone awareness program, bicycle facilities or incentives to encourage alternative mode use must also be offered. EPA’s program manager Stephen Offutt said, “These companies make a real commitment to their employees to support efforts to keep the air clean. Their financial support benefits the larger community and the Best Workplaces for CommutersSM award is a real point of pride.”

The Best Workplaces for CommutersSM program is a United States EPA/DOT voluntary partnership between businesses, federal, state, and local government; and communities to promote commuting benefits that enhance quality of life by reducing air pollution, traffic congestion, stress, taxes and transportation costs. This program was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to publicly recognize employers whose commuter benefits meet or exceed the National Standard of Excellence established by the EPA. Employees are 8 times more likely to use public transit if their employer pays for it.

The Valley of the Sun’s Best Workplaces for CommutersSM Coalition, headed by Valley Metro, includes the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Maricopa County, Maricopa Association of Governments, The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Valley Forward, The East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance and the EPA. The coalition was instrumental in marketing the BWC program to employers throughout the Valley and supporting its goals.