By Mark Prado
Marin Independent Journal
Posted: 11/21/2011 01:09:09 PM PST
Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. of Novato was among seven winners of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's "Great Race for Clean Air," a two-month contest among Bay Area employers to see who could reduce the most carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
The competition encouraged the use of commute alternatives such as transit, carpooling, vanpooling, walking and bicycling.
Carbon dioxide savings were calculated based on the length of the employee's commute, the employee's vehicle's gas mileage and the number of miles traveled using one of the commute alternatives.
Between September and October, 1,619 employees from 189 companies logged in their daily air-friendly commutes. About 435 tons of carbon dioxide were saved by employees who chose not to drive to work alone.