National Grid Supports the Real Power Behind the Boston Marathon: Runners
Waltham, MA (PRWEB) April 17, 2014 -- Runners in the 118th Boston Marathon have spent months training through early mornings, late nights, wind, rain and snow to remind us where the real power in New England comes from. On race day, National Grid will be there for runners by supplying the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) with seven clean vehicles that will play vital roles in the race. The alternative fuel vehicles, including two hybrid pickup trucks, a bi-fuel pickup truck, a Chevrolet Volt, a compressed natural gas (CNG) shuttle van and two sprinter vans, will serve as lead and trail vehicles for various portions of the marathon on April 21.
"After the tragic events of last year’s marathon, the 2014 race is an opportunity for the people of Massachusetts to demonstrate our resiliency and commitment to our values,” said Marcy Reed, president of National Grid in Massachusetts. “As an integral member of communities across the Commonwealth, National Grid is proud to join its customers and the BAA in supporting racers, including several National Grid employees who are running for terrific causes.”
Two of National Grid’s plug-in hybrid electric Dodge Rams will lead the men’s and women’s wheelchair races, transporting spotters and race officials from the official start all the way to the finish line. The BAA will also utilize a National Grid-owned Chevrolet Volt as a precursor vehicle to check conditions before racers hit the course. Finally, National Grid will provide its “Community Assistance Vehicles” – sprinter vans equipped with power hookups, safety equipment and other advanced technologies – to serve as trailing and road reopening vehicles that slowly travel behind the last racers in the marathon.
National Grid is already showing its support for marathon runners by projecting a Boston Strong ribbon onto its iconic rainbow tank in Dorchester, and the ribbon will stay up throughout the week of the race. Several National Grid employees are running in the 118th Boston Marathon to raise money for a variety of charities, including the American Red Cross and the Joe Andruzzi Foundation.
About National Grid
National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it ‘joins everything up’.
In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.
National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
For more information please visit our website: http://www.nationalgridus.com.
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Media Relations, National Grid, http://www.nationalgrid.com, +1 781-907-3980, [email protected]
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