What is Clean Cities?
- Clean Cities is a government-industry partnership designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector by advancing the use of alternative fuels and vehicles, idle reduction technologies, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel blends and fuel economy measures.
- Established in 1993 by the U.S. Department of Energy, the partnership provides tools and resources for voluntary, community-centered programs to reduce consumption of petroleum-based fuels.
- Almost 90 coalitions with 5,500 stakeholders across the country have formed Clean Cities and, since its inception, have displaced more than 1.6 billion gallons of petroleum.
How does Clean Cities Work?
- Clean Cities mobilizes stakeholders from local, state and federal agencies; public health and transportation departments; commercial fleets; transit agencies and other government offices; auto manufacturers; car dealers; fuel and equipment suppliers; public utilities and nonprofit associations.
- A Clean Cities coalition can provide a forum for members to leverage their resources, develop joint projects, collaborate on public policy issues and promote petroleum displacement and clean air technologies.
- The program is voluntary but certain steps need to be taken to become a designated coalition. These steps include holding stakeholder meetings; appointing a coordinator; gaining stakeholder commitments to purchase Clean Cities technology (i.e., alternative fuel vehicles and refueling infrastructure, idle reduction technologies, hybrid, blends and fuel efficiency); and developing a strategic program plan.
Where can I find more information and how can I get involved?
North Florida Transport Planning Organization, located at 1022 Prudential Drive (map it ) is spearheading the North Florida Clean Cities Coalition to help reduce the use of imported oil, develop regional economic opportunities and improve air quality. The Clean Cities program was established by the U.S. Department of Energy in 1993. Since then, almost 90 Clean Cities coalitions with 5,500 stakeholders across the country have been formed and have displaced more than 1.6 billion gallons of petroleum.
Our focus is on improving the environmental performance of business and government vehicle fleets across Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns Counties by:
- Growing our Coalition through a public/private collaboration that helps secure funding assistance, generate local jobs and business expansion and reduce petroleum consumption.
- Working with fleet managers to develop Green Fleet policies tailored to their specific vehicle and infrastructure needs.
- Providing hands on support and assistance in implementing policy.
- Developing an outreach program to assist in the process and recognize companies with fleets that have made positive progress towards their environmental goals.
The program is voluntary, but becoming a designated coalition helps us compete for funding. In fact, the Department of Energy just awarded nearly $300 million in Clean Cities program grants.
Let’s work together to become Clean and Green!
For more information, contact Wanda Forrest at (904) 306-7514.
