Daniel Sperling of UC Davis Wins Heinz Award for Leadership in Clean Transportation Research, Policy

In November, the Heinz Family Foundation will grant ten prestigious awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the environment. One of these winners stands out for his advancement of sustainable transportation policies and his research on alternative fuels: Daniel Sperling, a professor and founding director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis, and a friend of the Alliance.

"Dan’s work holds national and global significance. I am both delighted that his work has been recognized and honored to have worked with him for so many years," said Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

Sperling, who also is the recent director of the Energy Efficiency Center at UC Davis, is receiving the Heinz Award in recognition of his role in accelerating the nation’s transition to low-carbon alternative fuels. One of Sperling’s major triumphs is the passage of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which—as the world’s first global warming standard for transportation fuels—will reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in California, and stands to serve as a model for other states.. Sperling co-leads the effort to use this standard as the model for a national low carbon fuel policy.

"I am humbled and inspired by this great honor," said Sperling. "It pleases me that with all the issues society is facing right now, the Heinz Foundation has recognized global climate change as paramount."

"Dr. Sperling will undoubtedly have a profound effect on transportation policies for years to come as he pursues his vision to meet today’s transportation needs matched with the environmental concerns of the future," said a Heinz Award press release.

The Heinz Awards—which began in 1994 in memory of former Sen. John Heinz (R-Pa.)—are presented by the Pittsburgh-based Heinz Family Foundation to individuals who have made extraordinary achievements in a variety of fields. Each award comes with $100,000. The 2010 16th Annual Heinz Awards recognizes leaders in overcoming global environmental challenges.

The awards will be presented in November at a private ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Featured photo by Liz Mangelsdorf.