Empire BlueCross BlueShield Rolls Out New Fleet of Vans That Will Decrease Carbon Footprint Within New York City
Launched on World Environment Day, the new fleet will include six vans that are more environmentally friendly and take up less curb space
NEW YORK, June 8, 2017 /3BL Media/ – To celebrate World Environment Day 2017, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is proud to announce it is rolling out six new eco-friendly vans that will assist Medicaid members by providing support services such as finding in-network providers, booking doctor’s appointments and enrollment. The new vans have been specifically modified and designed to lower CO2 emissions, reduce the amount of gas utilized, take up less side-walk and commercial front space and diminish noise pollution through decreased generator usage.
“Empire BlueCross BlueShield has a long-standing commitment to supporting changes that can improve the overall health and well-being of our members and having a positive impact on the community,” said Jack Stephenson, Empire BlueCross BlueShield Medicaid plan president. “We believe that this new fleet of vans will improve the services available to our members while reducing our carbon footprint.”
The new fleet will improve the environmental impact of the Empire BlueCross BlueShield vehicles by:
- decreasing annual CO2 emissions by 15 percent per vehicle;
- using an estimated 285 fewer gallons of gas per vehicle per year;
- slashing VOC and NOX air pollutant emissions by 10 percent;
- lowering tailpipe CO2 emissions by 15 percent per mile;
- and taking up approximately 50 fewer feet of curb space, opening more spots for parking.
“As we celebrate World Environment Day, we are proud to be taking steps that are for the betterment of the environment and the local community,” said Stephenson. “These new vans will create more space for parking, limit congestion and significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into our atmosphere.”
The Empire BlueCross BlueShield fleet of vehicles will be parked at various locations through New York City and will provide information on Medicaid services and plans. New Yorkers do not need to be an Empire BlueCross BlueShield member to access the vehicles or get information.
About Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Serving New Yorkers for 80 years, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is the largest health insurer in New York supporting more than four million members and more than 38,000 business, union and small employers in New York. Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at @empirebcbs.
About World Environment Day
World Environment Day is the United Nations’ flagship day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest global platforms for public outreach celebrated by over a million people in well over 100 countries.
It is the ‘People’s Day’ for doing something positive for the environment. Its aim is to harness individual actions and transform them into a collective power that has a legacy of real and lasting impact on the planet. From Bahrain to Bangkok, the day is celebrated in countless ways with everything from beach clean-ups and tree planting to petitions and photo competitions, with thousands of children getting involved through their schools. The beauty of the day is in this diversity. It’s when people across the world collectively act, care and show their love for the planet.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for one in three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out the BCBS Blog for up-to-date information about BCBSA.
