A newly created initiative to advance clean transportation across Â鶹ӳ», particularly among operators of vehicle fleets, has reached an important milestone.
The Greater Â鶹ӳ» Clean Cities and Communities Coalition — launched less than six months ago — won designation as an apprentice coalition in the national program of the U.S. Department of Energy.
The in the College of Business at the Â鶹ӳ» spearheaded creation of the new coalition, which today includes about 50 participants, including fleet operators in the private and public sectors.
Chris Lynch, director of BEP and acting director of the new coalition, said the group is working to reduce tailpipe emissions, the largest source of pollutants such greenhouse gases and smog in Â鶹ӳ», with a particular focus on vehicle fleets.
The Greater Â鶹ӳ» Clean Cities and Communities Coalition focuses its work on all areas of Â鶹ӳ» outside of Clark County, which has a similar organization of its own.
Lynch said the coalition helps fleet operators with technical issues such as the infrastructure that’s needed for electric or alternative-fuel vehicles. The group also makes connections between vendors and fleet operators and sometimes identifies sources to help fund conversions.
In awarding the designation of apprentice coalition to the new initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy noted that Greater Â鶹ӳ» Clean Cities and Communities Coalition has built a solid structure led by a 12-person advisory board. Federal officials noted, too, that the coalition’s work is strengthened by its ties with the Business Environmental Program.
Because the BEP is housed in the College of Business, Lynch said its staff seeks to build a strong business case to support environmentally friendly practices among business. A transition to alternative fuels, for instance, can be cleaner and potentially reduces the long-term costs of operating a vehicle fleet.
The Greater Â鶹ӳ» Clean Cities and Communities Coalition now will work to attain full designation with the U.S. Department of Energy. Lynch said that process, which likely will take 12-18 months, opens the door to more assistance from federal agencies and sharing of expertise with the more than 75 other coalitions across the country. Full designation also could create opportunities to receive federal funding for clean-transportation projects.
“More efficient and cleaner transportation benefits the pocketbooks and the health of everyone in Â鶹ӳ»,” Lynch said. “The Business Environmental Program is pleased to lead the Greater Â鶹ӳ» Clean Cities and Communities Coalition in this important work.”
