NREL Promotes Clean Air as It Supports Clean Cities
NREL has done much to advance the causes of national energy security and clean air through its work on behalf of DOE's Clean Cities Program. Clean Cities is a voluntary program created to promote the use of alternative fuels and other technologies that reduce our dependence on imported petroleum. NREL provides technical and strategic support to the program to help overcome obstacles to more widespread use of alternative and renewable fuels. We also provide a wide range of tehnical information and data about alternative fuels and other vehicle technologies through publications, on-line tools and resources, and opportunities for program participants to meet face-to-face. Collaboration with the alternative fuels industry and vehicle manufacturers is a hallmark of these activities.
Participation in the Clean Cities Program continues to grow nationwide and internationally as communities, states, fleets, fuel providers, and vehicle manufacturers look for venues to build relationships and develop joint projects. Momentum is growing in the development of fuel infrastructure to take advantage of the inventory of alternative fuel vehicles that now exists in many areas. Program participants see the Clean Cities Program as the natural place to begin to explore advanced technologies such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
NREL's advanced vehicles and fuels staff have played a key role in this success. We help educate coalitions and their coordinators about program resources, financial opportunities, and the technology basics. We provide technical assistance to fleets struggling to implement alternative fuels or develop forward-thinking policies. We provide unbiased information about fuel and vehicle technologies so that local coalitions and fleets can make informed decisions about their transportation options. And we provide linkages to other related research and development projects that can help inform program activites. The result is a vibrant, grass-roots community working to implement technical solutions appropriate to their localities to make broader use of American-produced fuels.
