New York City Joins Federal Clean Cities Program
The U.S. Department of Energy has designated the New York City Clean Cities Coalition as the newest member of its Clean Cities Program which promotes the use of alternative fuels.
In an Earth Day ceremony held at City Hall Park, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Garman joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman and New York City officials to recognize the coalition for its commitment to increase the use of vehicles powered by alternative fuels.
“The New York City Clean Cities Coalition has made great progress in promoting the use of alternative fuel and alternative fuel vehicles,” Garman said. “Their efforts to increase the use of domestically produced, cleaner burning alternative fuels such as ethanol, natural gas, propane, biodiesel, and electricity are helping to reduce our nation’s dependence on imported oil, strengthen energy security and improve our environment.”
In 1991, the New York City Department of Transportation began operating a fleet of alternative fuel buses and later introduced light duty vehicles into its fleet.
Later, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Department of Sanitation also began introducing alternative fueled vehicles into their fleets. In addition, the city residents and visitors can hail 200 natural gas taxis that each travel 50,000 to 80,000 miles per year. Together they displace some 1,000,000 gallons of gasoline per year.
Included among the 40 coalition stakeholders are the NYC Department of Transportation, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Keyspan, Ford Motor Company, Honda, the New York Power Authority, the NY State Energy and Research Development Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Manhattan Beer, Consolidated Edison, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Business Association of New York State, Bronx College, and the American Lung Association.
Clean Cities is a locally based voluntary government and industry partnership coordinated by the U.S. Energy Department, which is designed to promote the use of alternative fuels.
Provided by theEnvironmental News Service.
