EmpireCLS

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. | Today at the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) annual convention, EmpireCLS, a leading global chauffeured transportation company, announced the details of the company's aggressive environmental sustainability program designed to reduce the environmental footprint of all aspects of their business. Leveraging Carbon Accounting(tm) principles and proven carbon-reduction programs, a primary goal of this program is to provide chauffeured ground transportation that is neutral in its overall impact on the environment. EmpireCLS' corporate-wide program, administered under the guidance of Green Ride Global, is specifically designed to create a 20 percent reduction in the company's greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years.

"EmpireCLS is determined to become the leader in environmental stewardship for the travel industry," said David Seelinger, chairman and CEO of EmpireCLS. "We appreciate that it is our responsibility to mitigate the impacts of fossil fuel use as well as the negative effects associated with the other activities of business operations, such as waste disposal, electricity use, supply chain management and employee travel."

Green Ride Global oversees EmpireCLS' ISO-14001 compliant environmental management system.  This will also qualify EmpireCLS for recognition as a US EPA Climate Leader.  While many companies tout their own environmental record with no third-party to validate it, Green Ride Global measures, audits and reports on the reductions of greenhouse gas emissions for EmpireCLS.

"We're excited to work with EmpireCLS to achieve their goals to cut emissions and achieve sustainability," said Justin Raymond, President and CEO of Green Ride Global. "By instituting this extremely aggressive program, EmpireCLS finds itself in good company with corporate clients and partners who have already instituted their own carbon-reduction programs – and the growing numbers of consumers who care about ecological stewardship."

Nitrogen Tire Filling Stations and "Green Tire" Program for Law Enforcement

By constructing tire filling stations that replace air in the fleet's tires with pure nitrogen, EmpireCLS has already implemented the company's first large-scale tactic to reduce carbon emissions. Nitrogen-filled tires can improve mileage (and reduce vehicle carbon emissions) by up to 15 percent.

"Because EmpireCLS is committed to helping the communities where we do business, our company is also inviting local police departments to have their tires refilled for free with nitrogen at the company's tire filling stations," Seelinger said. The EmpireCLS "Green Tire" program for law enforcement will begin August 1, 2008 in Secaucus, N.J., El Segundo, Calif. and San Francisco, Calif.

Other Eco-Friendly Corporate Initiatives

EmpireCLS is committed to systemically improve fuel efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the entire range of fleet and business operations, including employee commute and travel. Highlighted initiatives and commitments in the EmpireCLS program are as follows:

  1. EmpireCLS will ensure that that the company's affiliated network companies follow environmental policies that have the same intent and effect in their geographic areas as the EmpireCLS policy. In addition, the company's purchasing decisions will strive to encourage suppliers to adopt and follow environmental best practices.
  2. The company is implementing mandatory procedures in all office and garage locations, which are expected to reduce electricity usage and lower demand for grid-electricity generation.
  3. EmpireCLS has identified areas where heating and cooling energy is inefficiently consumed and is taking steps to conserve more energy in the workplace.
  4. The company is also implementing a waste management program to reduce the consumption of disposable items, reuse supplies, and recycle appropriate materials. The company has committed to disposing of waste in a responsible and safe manner.
  5. Currently, 5 percent of the EmpireCLS fleet is comprised of hybrid vehicles, and the company plans to continue to test the latest hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles to increase this percentage in the future.
  6. Employees are urged to make sure that decisions made in their day-to-day business activities take into consideration the possible effect on the environment and take reasonable actions to avoid any negative environmental consequences.

"Our company's environmental management program has real-world benefits not only for EmpireCLS, but also for our corporate clients," Seelinger said. "As we succeed in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions at the source, our clients will also realize tangible emissions reduction results, just by traveling with us."

About Green Ride Global

Green Ride Global (GRG) creates and implements third-party verified environmental sustainability programs for the transportation industry, with a focus on chauffeured ground transportation companies. Their programs cause real and measurable reductions in their clients' greenhouse gas emissions and environmental footprints. GRG's team provides tailored environmental solutions, strategic sales and marketing tools, and auditable reports showing progress toward environmental sustainability. For more information visit .

About EmpireCLS

EmpireCLS is one of the largest chauffeured transportation companies, operating in more than 650 cities around the globe. More than transportation from point A to point B, EmpireCLS has built a reputation for providing a luxurious and comfortable transportation experience beyond the ride. This experience encompasses not only the physical transportation, but also the myriad tools and services that make your interaction with EmpireCLS simple, effortless, secure, comfortable and consistent. For more information you can visit our new website at .

Lee Graham
212-333-4983

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