In This Issue
Clean Cities 30th Anniversary and Stakeholder summit
NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK-EV RIDE AND DRIVE EVENT
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Clean Cities 30th Anniversary and Stakeholder Summit
This month, The Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition attended the 2023 Clean Cities Stakeholder Summit and 30th Year Anniversary of Clean Cities. During its years of operation, the Clean Cities network has built support, connections within the transportation industry, and active partnerships with over 20,000 public and private stakeholders.
Starting in 1993 with six coalitions in Atlanta, Denver, Philadelphia, Delaware, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C., the national network now includes more than 75 active coalitions, covering more than 85% of the U.S. population and nearly every state. Over the past 30 years, coalition activities have saved the equivalent of 13 billion gallons of gasoline and eliminated more than 67 million tons of emissions through the use of alternative fuels and fuel efficient technologies and practices.
The Stakeholder Summit brought together the entire Clean Cities Coalition Network, including coalition leaders, stakeholders, DOE representatives, and national laboratory staff. The daylong event celebrated the history and accomplishments of Clean Cities and recognized the work that coalition directors and their stakeholders are doing in their regions to reduce the use of petroleum fuels and improve air quality.
VSCCC was proud to be able to host several of our stakeholders at the Summit, including representatives from SRP, City of Phoenix, Maricopa County Air Quality, ASU Sustainable Cities Network, and Arizona Department of Transportation. We are so grateful to have the support of such a dedicated group of people and organizations.
During the event, Clean Cities and the DOE presented our stakeholders with awards in “Stakeholder Excellence” in recognition of their many accomplishments in alternative fuel use. Congratulations to SRP, APS, Southwest Gas, Maricopa County Air Quality Department, ASU Sustainable Cities Network and the Cities of Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale for their outstanding efforts in clean fuels and sustainability! These amazing stakeholders helped our region displace 95,347,554 Gasoline Gallon Equivalents and reduce over 662,700 tons of Green House Gas Emissions in 2022! With the help of our stakeholders, Arizona is now one of the top states in alternative fuel adoption and emission reductions!
Clean Cities has been bringing people and organizations together for 30 years with the common goal of improving air quality in our communities. After witnessing the dedication and enthusiasm of coalition directors and stakeholders at this Summit, we think it is safe to say that the Clean Cities Network and mission will be around for another thirty years or more.
National Drive Electric Week- EV Ride and Drive
National Drive Electric Week, Sep 22-Oct 1, 2023, is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. People and organizations across the country are participating in National Drive Electric Week by putting on ride and drives, presenting informational webinars and hosting other community events. VSCCC is partnering with the City of Phoenix’s Office of Sustainability and Scottsdale EVA to put on an EV Ride and Drive Event this September 30th.
Come ride and drive in a variety of electric vehicles, talk with EV owners, learn about the benefits of electric vehicles and what models are available. Visit with representatives from companies such as Lucid, Rivian, Legacy EV, Buzze and more .
The Ride and Drive will be held at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix along with the Uptown Farmers Market. The farmers market hosts many local venders and food trucks that offer a variety of produce, goods, and delicious food.
This is event is a great chance to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and enjoy the many vendors at the neighboring farmers market. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Webinars and Events
City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability EV Webinars
Clean Cities to Communities Informational Webinar with NREL
Please join this informational webinar about the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program, hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with the World Resources Institute. Local governments, tribes, planning organizations, utilities, and community-based organizations are eligible to receive support through C2C.
Mullen EV Tour- Coming to Casa Grande, Arizona Nov 6-7, 2023
The electric vehicle company, Mullen, is touring locations across the country to showcase their line up of electric vehicles. The "Strikingly Different" test drive tour offers the opportunity to experience a variety of their electric vehicles ranging from personal vehicles and sports cars to commercial vans. This tour will be making a stop at the Podium Club in Casa Grande, AZ this November 6-7th.
Location:
Podium Club at Attesa
6870 S Bianco Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85193
Dates:
November 6-7th, 2023
Funding Opportunities
Electric Vehicle Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator
Applications for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program are now open. This program will provide up to $100 million in federal funding to repair and replace non-operational EV charging infrastructure. Only state DOTs and local governments are eligible to apply. Applications are due by Nov. 13, 2023.
More information on this funding opportunity can be viewed HERE.
R-Step Renewable Energy Siting Program
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a new initiative to support states and local communities as they plan for and evaluate proposed development of large renewable energy facilities. The Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program will support the creation of new, or the expansion of existing, state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy planning and siting processes for local communities.
The R-Step program is being managed by Energywerx in partnership with the DOE. Learn more about the program and application on the Energywerx webpage.
Applications are due Nov 3, 2023.
C2C Peer learning Cohorts
The Clean Energy to Communities program provides communities with expertise and tools to achieve their clean energy goals. C2C is funded by DOE and managed by NREL.
DOE has announced the next topics for the Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) peer-learning cohorts. These cohorts will regularly convene approximately 10-15 communities over six months to exchange strategies and best practices and learn from each other and national laboratory experts on the following topics:
Evaluating and Prioritizing Municipal Buildings for Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Investment
Enhancing Resilience at Critical Municipal Facilities Through Solar, Storage, and Microgrids
Designing Engagement to Shape Community-Wide Transportation Electrification
Applications for these cohorts opened on Monday September 18, 2023 and close on October 31, 2023.
DOE Expert Match Program
The Clean Energy to Communities Program also offers and Expert Match Program, which provides between 40 and 60 hours of tailored technical assistance to help communities and local leaders address short-term energy challenges. Expert Match is for community stakeholders who have decision-making power or influence in their community but need access to additional clean energy expertise to inform key upcoming decisions. Community stakeholders can represent city, town or local governments, tribal governments, regional planning organizations, community organizations, utilities, and universities among others.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Submit an application HERE.
Upcoming Clean Energy to Communities Webinar: Friday September 29, 2023. 1-2 PM ET.
Member Spotlight
City of Phoenix
VSCCC is proud to have the City of Phoenix as a member of our coalition. As one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the USA, Phoenix is a great place to live, work and visit. The city is also a leader in alternative fuel use and sustainable practices. In fact the City of Phoenix was just awarded the Top Green Fleet of 2023 Award from the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA). The City’s fleet includes vehicles that run on a variety of alternative fuels including CNG, RNG, Biodiesel, Ethanol and Electricity. Congratulations Phoenix on this well deserved award!
VSCCC strives to provide alternative fuel information to all people within our region. In order to increase our outreach abilities we are working with local agencies to share our newsletter and clean fuel resources with an even greater audience. We are proud to partner with the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona's Air Quality Department, ASU's Sustainable Cities Network and Maricopa County Air Quality Department.
OUR NEWSLETTER IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH!
Translations done by Diego Montemayor- diego@cleanairaz.org
