WellPoint honored by EPA for Guaranteed Ride Home program

Traffic, traffic, traffic. Many scientists say that all this traffic over the last century has created Southern California's iconic smog. And while that smog might create beautiful sunshines it is also increasing allergies, asthma, lung cancer and other afflictions for SoCal residents.

Yet companies in the area, such as Toyota's Torrance Plant, are doing things to help improve the environment, and they aren't just dealing with smog.

Toyota utilized one of the largest solar implementations in its location. The hybrid car maker also figured out ways to recycle anything and everything, while significantly reducing water consumption.

This is corporate leadership, and such leadership is lacking not only in Southern California, but throughout the Nation.

So when companies do demonstrate leadership, leadership that benefits people, not just consumers, congratulations are in order.

The Southern California branch of Wellpoint, one of the nation's largest health plans, was named as one of the best workplaces for commuters by the EPA.

According to Wellpoint, "Employers are recognized for their leadership in easing the pollution and stress caused by so many vehicles on our nation's roads." Well Point CEO Leonard Schaeffer stated, "As a Southern California headquartered company, Well Point is acutely aware of the importance of traffic and air pollution reduction. We therefore provide a host of resources to encourage our more than 7000 Southern California associates to walk, bicycle, carpool, vanpool or takes mass transit."

WellPoint's Guaranteed Ride Home program includes a tax-free vanpool subsidy, rewards for carpooling, walking or biking to work, and also offers subsidized transit passes.

In acknowledging WellPoint's work, the EPA's Mike Leavitt said, "Gridlock produces more than $63 billion in congestion costs per year. Companies that offer commuter benefits help curb these costs and make a significant contribution to the health and welfare of their employees."