LANSING, MICH. - The Department of Energy (DOE) today designated the Greater Lansing Clean Cities Coalition as the newest member of its Clean Cities Program which promotes the use of alternative fuels.
"Alternative fuels are an important component of President Bush's National Energy Plan to promote our nation's energy security by ensuring dependable, affordable and environmentally sound energy for the future," Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham said. "Lansing and the other cities across the country that have earned the Clean Cities designation are making a significant contribution to a secure and clean energy future."
The City of Lansing has partnered with St. Johns and other area communities and groups to form Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities. The purpose of Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities, now in its seventh year, is to advance the use of alternative fuels in the Lansing area.
The Clean Cities designation recognizes Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities as working to strengthen the nation's energy security, improve air quality and stimulate the local economy by creating new alternative fuel markets. Clean Cities provides a forum for joint public and private Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) opportunities, leveraging scarce resources, collaborating on public policy and cooperating to promote the use of AFVs in local communities.
Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities obtained the Clean Cities designation by building a market foundation for AFVs, forming its own group of stakeholders, holding meetings, identifying a coordinator, defining goals and developing an action plan to achieve them, with assistance provided by the Department of Energy.
Clean Cities is a locally based, voluntary government and industry partnership, coordinated by DOE, which is designed to promote the use of alternative fuels. When carried out at the local level across the country, Clean Cities helps to stimulate local economic activity, create a sustainable, nationwide alternative fuels market, promote cleaner air and reduce dependence on imported oil. President Bush's National Energy Policy directs the Secretary of Energy to develop ways to reduce demand for petroleum transportation fuels and to establish a national priority for improving energy efficiency.
Media Contact(s):
Chris Kielich, 202/586-5806
