What is Capital District Clean Communities?

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Cities program is a voluntary, locally based government/industry partnership. It is designed to mobilize local stakeholders in the effort to expand the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel by accelerating the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles (AFV's) and building a local AFV refueling infrastructure. Recently, the Clean Cities program expanded its program mission to “advance the national, economic and energy security of the United States by supporting local decisions to reduce use of petroleum fuels in vehicles.” Clean Cities carries out this mission through a network of more than 80 volunteer coalitions, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction.

Local efforts to participate in the federal Clean Cities program were undertaken by Schenectady County in early 1996. The county recognized the importance of this program and began to build a coalition of public agencies and private businesses. Schenectady County formed a partnership with thirty-nine organizations, including Niagara Mohawk, NYSERDA, the New York State Thruway Authority, CDTC, the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, the Environmental Business Association, Environmental Advocates and others. This partnership became known as the Capital District Clean Communities. This group met regularly and, with Schenectady County and Niagara Mohawk taking the lead, they submitted a Clean Cities program plan to the U.S. Department of Energy on behalf of the Capital District Clean Communities. DOE accepted the program plan and the Capital District Clean Communities coalition became a designated member of Clean Cities in April 1999.

The Capital District Clean Communities (CDCC) formed primarily to take advantage of the environmental, public health, energy, and economic benefits that the Clean Cities program offers. Specifically, alternate fuels can benefit the Capital District by creating commercial opportunities and jobs in the sale, conversion, and maintenance of AFV's and in the installation and service of associated infrastructure. In addition, benefits come from the research and development of new technologies and products through the reduced dependence on imported fuel. The CDCC coordinator position was supported by Schenectady County for several years, but was mostly staffed by interns, which gave the program little consistency. As a result, the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) was asked to assume the coordinator role in 2001. CDTC is the only MPO within NYS that supports the coordinator position. CDTC agreed to be the “home” of the Capital District Clean Communities program because the goals of the program fit well with the planning and investment principles that CDTC adopted as part of its Long Range Plan. The Capital District provides substantial opportunities for the expansion of the alternative fuel marketplace, particularly with the large state vehicle fleet that operates in the area. Stakeholders in CDCC recognize the need to provide greater fuel choices in the Capital District and to reduce its dependence on imported oil. The alternative fuels currently in use in the Capital District are compressed natural gas, propane and electricity.

The Capital District Clean Communities coalition group meets quarterly (at CDTC's offices) to work on the program plan and to implement the national Clean Cities goals. The CDCC is also involved in local events that promote alternative fuels.

Goals of the CDCC include:

v Increase Local Alternative Fuel Vehicle Counts

v Help New York State Implement the Mandated AFV Acquisition Plans

v Create Partnerships for AFV Refueling Infrastructure

v Encourage Private Sector Stakeholders to Take Advantage of the NYS Tax Incentives for AFV and Infrastructure Acquisition

v Assist in the Creation of a "Clean Corridor" From Albany to Buffalo and From NYC to the Canadian Border Making it Possible to Link Clean Cities within the State

v Expand use of Blends (e.g. B20, E10, HCNG)

v Accelerate Sales of Hybrids

v Promote Informed Consumer Choice on Fuel Economy

v Encourage Use of Idle Reduction Technologies

v Increase use of Alternative Fuels

The CDCC advances the goals of the Clean Cities program through coalition building and networking. All individuals and businesses interested in promoting these goals are welcome to attend the coalition meetings.