$39.5 Million Clean Cities Atlanta Petroleum Reduction Program Gets Underway
Local Partnership co-funded by U.S Department of Energy to Support Clean Fuels, Vehicles, and Infrastructure Development
ATLANTA - (November 17, 2010) Atlanta is one step closer to reducing its dependence on foreign oil and improving fuel economy and air quality thanks to the Clean Cities Atlanta Petroleum Reduction Program, which is currently underway.
Project managers have been finalizing partner agreements and program elements since the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory announced the award of a $14.9 grant last fall as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The total $39.5 million program includes the DOE grant and an additional $24.5 million in local cost share funding provided by program partners.
"Clean Cities Atlanta received one of the largest grants issued by the Department of Energy for this program," said Don Francis, Clean Cities Atlanta Coordinator. "It represents a significant commitment by our members to reduce their consumption of petroleum and improve air quality in the metro Atlanta region."
The program, now in the implementation phase, will boost the supply of alternative fuels by constructing a Landfill Gas-to-Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion facility at a DeKalb County landfill and adding five CNG refueling stations and increased capacity at a sixth station in the metro Atlanta region. The project will further help to reduce the demand for petroleum-based fuels by deploying 200 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. Facility implementations and vehicle deployments will continue over the next two years. CNG stations implemented as part of this Clean Cities Atlanta program will be accessible to the public.
"DeKalb County is proud of our partnership with Clean Cities Atlanta and the guidance that Billy Malone, DeKalb's Director of Sanitation, gave to the process," said Kathie Gannon, DeKalb County Commissioner, District 6. "The conversion of our landfill gas to clean transportation fuel is a huge economic and environmental win/win for our region."
The public/private partnership, managed by Clean Cities Atlanta includes DeKalb County, City of Atlanta/Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Center for Transportation and the Environment, City of College Park, Coca-Cola Refreshments (CCR) - a division of The Coca-Cola Company, The Parking Spot, PS Energy Group, Inc., Sustainable Atlanta and United Parcel Service (UPS).
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Atlanta will benefit greatly from the emissions reduction from a public health perspective. This program also will provide a template for the expanded use of locally produced renewable transportation fuel and advanced technology vehicles in a variety of applications."We are pleased to be a part of this important sustainability program. Moving toward an all-CNG-fueled Airport shuttle bus fleet is an important step in reducing the city's overall carbon footprint. And it brings us closer to the overall goal of having 12 percent of the city fleet operate on alternative fuels," said Louis Miller, Aviation General Manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Under ARRA, the Clean Cities program funds a range of energy efficient and advanced vehicle technologies, such as diesel hybrids, hydraulic hybrids and compressed natural gas vehicles, helping reduce petroleum consumption across the U.S. In addition, funding will support refueling infrastructure for various alternative fuels, including natural gas. Other efforts under the Clean Cities program include public education and training initiatives to further the program's goal of reducing the national demand for petroleum."
This Clean Cities grant provides us with a unique opportunity to reduce transportation-related emissions in the metro Atlanta region," added Steve Clermont, Director of Evergreen Sustainability Solutions for Center for Transportation & the Environment. "It is a critical step forward to improve our choices for alternative fuels and vehicles and reduce our dependence on petroleum."A public education campaign focused on alternative fuel technologies and vehicles will be driven by Clean Cities Atlanta and sub-recipient partners to demonstrate the financial viability of the LFG - CNG business model as well as the economic and environmental effectiveness of CNG and hybrid vehicles in delivery, passenger shuttle and municipal fleet operations.
For more information, please visit https://www.cleancitiesatlanta.net/→.
Clean Cities Atlanta:
Clean Cities Atlanta (https://www.cleancitiesatlanta.net/→) is a government-industry partnership that works to reduce America's petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. Over the last 15 years, 3 the Clean Cities program has established local coalitions across the country that promote the growth of alternative fuels and showcase the potential of advanced and energy efficient vehicles.
City of Atlanta - Division of Sustainability:
The Division of Sustainability is focused on instituting environmental protection practices into Atlanta city government. It aims to do so by improving the city's environmental programs and policies such as water and energy conservation, solid waste and emissions reduction, and recycling. To fully expand its commitment to sustainability, Mayor Kasim Reed has pledged that the City of Atlanta will become one of the top ten most sustainable cities in the United States. To that end, the Division utilizing Recovery Act funding across 16 different programs. These programs are designed to motivate and support community efforts that aim to enhance environmental quality, while supporting jobs and long term economic growth. For more information on the Division and its programs, please visit: https://www.atlantaga.gov/mayor/sustainability.asp→
Clean Energy:
Clean Energy (Nasdaq: CLNE) is the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America and a global leader in the expanding natural gas vehicle market. It has operations in CNG and LNG vehicle fueling, construction and operation of CNG and LNG fueling stations, biomethane production, vehicle conversion and compressor technology. Clean Energy fuels over 19,900 vehicles at more than 211 strategic locations across the United States and Canada with a broad customer base in the refuse, transit, trucking, shuttle, taxi, airport and municipal fleet markets. It owns and operates a landfill gas facility in Dallas, Texas, that produces renewable methane gas, or biomethane, for delivery in the nation's gas pipeline network. It owns and operates LNG production plants in Willis, Texas and Boron, Calif. with combined capacity of 260,000 LNG gallons per day and that are designed to expand to 340,000 LNG gallons per day as demand increases. BAF Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, is a leading provider of natural gas vehicle systems and conversions for taxis, limousines, vans, pick-up trucks and shuttle buses. IMW Industries, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary based in Canada, is a leading supplier of compressed natural gas equipment for vehicle fueling and industrial applications with more than 1,000 installations in over 20 countries.
Center for Transportation & the Environment (CTE):
The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) is a 501(3) (c) non-profit, member-based organization that facilitates research into advanced transportation technologies and strategies to achieve energy and environmental sustainability. CTE is a recognized leader in environmental program management and advanced transportation technologies research, demonstration, and development programs. CTE manages federal and state grant funding to organize regional and national teams of stakeholders to develop, demonstrate, and commercialize advanced transportation technologies and strategies that provide cleaner, more efficient transportation solutions.
City of College Park:
Named one of Atlanta Magazine's "Best Places to Call Home" in April 2003, the City of College Park has become one of the most exciting communities in the greater metropolitan Atlanta area in which to live. A well-established community with an individuality all its own, College Park, located near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Interstates I-85 and I-285, the CSX Railroad and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), residents and visitors alike will find that this revitalized City offers the best of Southern hospitality in its city services, local restaurants, lodging accommodations, parks and recreation, and community events.
The Coca-Cola Company:
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®, Coca-Cola Zero®, vitaminwater®, Powerade ®, Minute Maid ®, Simply ® and Georgia ®. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
DeKalb County:
DeKalb County has more than 700,000 residents and more than 10,000 businesses on the east side of the Atlanta metropolitan area. It is home to Emory University, Stone Mountain Park, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and 10 municipalities with a diverse, educated and environmentally aware community. DeKalb County Sanitation operates the Seminole Landfill, which has more than 50 years of remaining capacity, and operates more than 250 waste collection and disposal vehicles.
The Parking Spot:
The Parking Spot is the nation's largest off-airport parking service provided, with 43 locations at 25 airports. The Parking Spot is committed to help protect the environment and reduce emissions and has already committed over 30% of their fleet to CNG conversion. For more information about The Parking Spot visit www.theparkingspot.com.
PS Energy Group, Inc.:
Founded in 1985, PS Energy Group, Inc. (www.psenergy.com) is a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company that offers business, industry and government a full range of energy and transportation solutions. As one of the nation's top 38 diversity-owned businesses and the nation's 3rd largest Hispanic-owned company, PS Energy Group provides transportation fuels, emergency fueling and fleet 5 management services, including etc. a telematics solution that helps improve productivity, profitability and the quality of the environment through better asset monitoring and vehicle tracking.
Sustainable Atlanta:
Sustainable Atlanta (www.sustainableatlanta.org) is a catalyst, consultant and facilitator for sustainable progress in Atlanta as well as across the nation. Its core focus lies in convening leaders from academic, business, civic, governmental sectors and non-profits to develop sustainable policy and programs for those who live, work and play in Atlanta. Sustainable Atlanta leverages its expertise to help develop policies, programming, strategies and best practices that make Atlanta, other municipalities, citizens and organizations more bottom-line efficient, environmentally responsible and more competitive when attracting employers/jobs.
United Parcel Service (UPS):
UPS (NYSE: UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
