What
is the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition?
 The
Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition is a public/private partnership
that works to advance environmental and public health, energy security
and economic development by promoting policies and practices that
reduce petroleum
consumption. Clean Cities' efforts include the promotion of
alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel
blends, fuel economy, hybrid
electric vehicles (HEV)s and idle reduction strategies.
Coalition members work together
within the US Department of
Energy's (DOE's) Clean Cities Program, which is a network of more than 80 communities
around the country. The Coalition provides education, technical assistance, access to grant
funds and other
services to assist in the implementation of the Coalition's
strategies.
The
Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition is dedicated to:
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Increasing
the use of alternative fuels and vehicles and expanding the
refueling infrastructure necessary to support these vehicles
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Promoting
other vehicle-related programs, such as improved fuel economy,
HEVs and idle reduction, which result in decreased petroleum consumption and
reduced emissions
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Serving its members by providing technical assistance, providing access to grant funds,
identifying incentives, and identifying partnership
opportunities
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Providing opportunities for collaboration
and information-sharing among members
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Leveraging resources of knowledge, time and
funding
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Setting
an example through the leadership of its members
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Why was
Clean Cities created?
The transportation sector, including more than 200 million motor
vehicles, accounts for 65% of the oil consumed in the US. More than half
of the oil used in the US comes from
imported sources and this level continues to increase -
affecting the trade deficit, jobs and national security. In
response, the federal government passed the Energy Policy Act
(EPAct) of 1992 with the goal of reducing America's dependence on foreign oil by 30 percent by 2010
through the use of domestically extracted and produced alternative
fuels. DOE established the Clean Cities program in response to
EPAct of 1992 to provide tools and resources for voluntary,
community-based programs to help reach the goal of reduced
dependence on foreign oil. In 2004, to build on its success and
expand its impact, Clean Cities broadened its focus to incorporate
a wider range of technologies that can reduce petroleum usage.
These technologies include idle reduction, fuel blends, fuel
economy and hybrid electric vehicles. The
cornerstone of the program, however, remains the use of
alternative fuels and vehicles. DOE considers the following to be
alternative fuels:
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Ethanol
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Hydrogen
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Methanol
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This year,
Congress passed a new energy bill known as EPAct of 2005, which
contains several provisions to increase the use of alternative
fuels. The details of these new provisions are still being worked
out, but the Coalition intends to take advantage of all available
means to reduce petroleum consumption in the Puget Sound
region.
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Why
is Puget Sound part of Clean Cities?
Participating
in this national partnership provides many
benefits to stakeholders and the region:
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Improved
Energy Security - Alternative
fuels can be extracted or produced domestically, reducing
dependence on foreign sources of oil. Some, such as biodiesel
and ethanol, are renewable resources produced in the US.
In addition, improved fuel economy, hybrid electric vehicles
(HEVs) and idle reduction reduce petroleum consumption.
Together, these techniques improve the US energy security
situation by reducing our dependence on imported oil.
Improved
Environmental Quality - Alternative fuels
are cleaner burning fuels than
conventional fuels. Reducing petroleum consumption
through idle reduction or HEVs also reduces vehicle
emissions. Reducing the impacts of vehicle emissions is critical to maintaining
air quality, improving environmental and human health in the
Puget
Sound
region and ensuring regional compliance with federal air
quality standards.
Protection
of Public Health - Petroleum reduction strategies
result in lower emissions of pollutants including toxic
contaminants, which results in improved public health for
area residents.
Increased
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (
AFV) Availability -
Coalition members work together to ensure that
the AFVs and related technologies they need are
available and can be obtained at the best prices through
standardized contracts and group purchasing.
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Ensured
Compliance with Regulations -
Federal and
state governments and fuel providers are
required to purchase and
operate AFVs for their fleets. In the
Coalition
fleet managers work together to address common issues
and share lessons learned. The
Coalition also helps members comply with
other national, state and local regulations, such as local air
permits
Funding
and Grants - Numerous funding sources are
available to help pay for AFVs, fueling stations and other
projects including funds that are dedicated to Clean
Cities Coalitions and members.
New
Jobs and Commercial Opportunities -
Servicing AFVs, developing new technologies and products, increasing
crop (feedstock) production, increasing in-state
alternative fuel production, and constructing and operating AFV fueling
stations create commercial opportunities, new businesses
and new jobs.
Expanded
Fueling Infrastructure -
Expanding AFV fueling
infrastructure is key to increasing the number of AFVs in
the region. Through the Coalition, members work together on cost effective and
convenient AFV fueling stations.
Education and Awareness
- The
Coalition provides education to the general public,
businesses and elected officials on the concerns
associated with motor vehicles and the opportunities that
AFVs present to
address these issues. |
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What
does the Coalition do?
Coalition
staff and members work together on a variety of tasks:
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Networking
and Sharing Lessons Learned with
other members, which promotes future success and allows
members to implement projects more efficiently. In addition,
the diversity of members presents valuable networking
opportunities.
Providing
Technical Assistance to members on the
most appropriate alternative fuel strategies to implement in their fleet.
Developing Fueling Stations for alternative fuels,
particularly public access stations.
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Pursuing Grant Funds to assist members with
alternative fuel program implementation including vehicle purchases
and infrastructure development.
Proposing
and Supporting Legislation at the
federal and state level to provide incentives for petroleum reduction
strategies, such as AFVs and development of AFV fueling infrastructure.
Providing
education about
petroleum reduction strategies including alternative fuels and
vehicles and their benefits.
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Click here
to see the Coalition's 2004-08 strategic plan and here
to see an update to this plan for 07 and 08.
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How
can you participate in the Coalition?
The
Coalition is open to all
interested parties who wish to support its effort to reduce petroleum
consumption. For more information see the following pages:
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How
can you learn more about the Coalition or reducing petroleum use?
Explore this website and its many
links for valuable information or
contact
us directly for assistance.
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