Advocacy Groups Work to Promote Sustainability, Green Tech

With new green technologies emerging every day, advocacy groups across the country are working with federal and state agencies, school districts and small business owners to promote some of the opportunities out there. One group with that mission is Clean Cities, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) initiative to advance the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions to cut petroleum use in transportation. Carl Lisek, the executive director of South Shore Clean Cities, explained the goal of Clean Cities in an interview with R&D Magazine.   “Our mission is to reduce dependence on imported oil,” Lisek said. “We work on deployment of alternative fuel projects, so we are fuel neutral. We promote all of the things that will reduce our dependence on imported oil and also assist us with diesel emission reductions across the country.” In total, there are more than 100 Clean City programs across the country, with Lisek’s chapter focusing on the northern part of Indiana. Clean Cities, on a national level, develops and promotes numerous partnerships including the National Clean Fleets Partnership, the National Parks Initiative and Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions. Clean Cities coalitions are comprised of businesses, fuel providers, vehicle fleets, state and local government agencies, and community organizations, with each collation being led by a local coordinator that tailors projects and activities to their individual regions. The local chapters also create networks of local stakeholders and provide technical assistance to fleets implementing alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements, and… [Read full story]