Launch of United States Green Parking Council

 The United States Green Parking Council (USGPC), a nonprofit organization encouraging new, alternative parking practices, formally announced its nominated board of directors at a recent event on May 11th, during the International Parking Institute Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The event marked the launch of the nonprofit’s mission to provide leadership and oversight for the green conversion of parking facilities to sustainable, environmentally responsible assets.  The USGPC’s nominated board of directors is comprised of executives from a diverse set of businesses and organizations including:


• Kathy Burnett, Simon Property Group
• Laura Longsworth, Brookfield Properties
• Robin Dean, Macerich
• Watson Collins, Northeast Utilities
• Matt Cahill, Towne Park
• Pamela Brown, Standard Parking
• John Schmid, Propark America
• Kevin Shrier, The Parking Spot
• Alan Lazowski, LAZ Parking
• Dr. Greg Norman, Powder River Holdings
• Brendan Fox, The Law Offices of Jay Malcynsky
• Marc Alt, Marc Alt + Partners
• David Allen, University of Maryland College Park


The businesses represented on the USGPC’s Board of Directors share a commitment to raising awareness regarding the significance of green garage practices.  “Through its Certified Green Garage rating system, the USGPC will encourage new, alternative parking practices and an imperative industry transformation,” says Marc Alt, a social innovation strategist, and one of USGPC’s newly appointed board nominees.  “As an entrepreneur, I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of projects focusing on clean technology and sustainable design.  The Certified Green Garage rating system marks the first nationwide effort to encourage parking garage owners to transition their assets into a strategic part of the new clean energy economy.  This certification drastically reduces the parking industry’s carbon footprint through energy efficiency measures, green building innovations and retrofits.  It also positions parking garages to stay competitive during the global transition to electric vehicles and other alternate forms of mobility.”

Certified Green Garage is a voluntary rating system for developing and retrofitting sustainable parking facilities.  The Green Garage Certification process, in conjunction with the USPGC, provides standards for environmentally sustainable parking operations and services.  Parking companies and facilities recognized for their utilization level of the rating system are permitted to display and use the organization’s registered service mark, indicating they have passed the accreditation review as determined by the USGPC.

At a USGPC scheduled corporation meeting on June 10th, nominees will be confirmed to serve on the board of directors for a one-year term beginning July 1st, 2010.  Agenda items will include a discussion of a key USGPC objective; to extend the existing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to over ten-thousand charging units, in advance of demand.  This will provide EV owners with an array of attractive parking destinations and reduce battery range anxiety.  The USGPC plans to endorse and encourage free EV charging stations at garage properties nationwide in support of its “Charge Cars, Not People tm” initiative.

“The average consumer is bombarded with dozens of ads, billboards and commercials promoting green initiatives,” says Alt.  “It can be difficult, at times, to gauge a company’s level of commitment to the environment.  The Green Garage Certification will eliminate uncertainty for commuters seeking an environmentally conscientious parking garage.”

About USGPC:

The United States Green Parking Council (USGPC) is a nonprofit organization providing leadership and oversight for the green conversion of parking facilities to sustainable, environmentally responsible assets.  The USGPC is dedicated to expanding green parking practices and environmental services through its Certified Green Garage rating system.  The USGPC encourages new, alternative parking practices and exceptional industry transformation through creative thought and ingenuity.