Suncoast Clean Cities Coalition takes shape
Established in 1995 and initially funded by the Florida Department of Community Affairs’ Florida Energy Office, the Florida Suncoast Clean Cities Coalition has grown into a well-known and highly effective partner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s national Clean Cities Coalition Project. With nearly 60 other local or regional coalitions across the country, the Florida Suncoast Clean Cities Coalition is dedicated to reducing America’s energy dependence on imported oil, promoting the use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), creating a sustainable alternative fuels refueling infrastructure, and improving both the environment and Florida’s economic development.
The membership of the Coalition comprises public and private partners, or "stakeholders," located or having interests within the six-county area of Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties. CUTR administers most aspects of the Coalition’s operations under the supervision of the Coalition Board of Directors, with CUTR’s director Gary Brosch serving as the Board’s chair. During the past year, a number of committees were formed to accomplish the Coalition’s mission:
The Steering Committee develops criteria for measuring program objectives and accomplishments, coordinates ongoing membership recruitment, approves new members, and establishes and maintains management systems.
The Membership & Communications Committee works to increase public awareness and expand Coalition membership through an aggressive public outreach program and is developing an AFV Identification Project using decals. Also, the committee is working with the FDOT’s Florida Maintenance Training Program at CUTR to create an effective AFV technician education and training program.
The Infrastructure & Market Development Committee accommodates interests in counties outside of the designated Suncoast area, identifies new or expanded alternative fuel vehicle or refueling infrastructure projects, and helps create public/private partnerships to develop and accomplish workable projects.
The Legislation & Funding Committee implemented a proactive legislative initiative program that will enable opportunities for governmental agency alternative fuel vehicle purchases and conversions and for infrastructure partnerships. The committee actively pursues public and industry alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure funding sources.
The long-term goal of the Florida Suncoast Clean Cities Coalition is to increase purchases and conversions of alternative fuel vehicles in the area at the same rate as those specified in the 1996 amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) and the Governor’s Executive Order Number 92-253. In addition, the Coalition has set an overall goal of increasing the number of AFVs in the Coalition area from 1,000 to 1,500 and having 10 public-access refueling sites in full service by 2000.
For further information, contact the Florida Suncoast Clean Cities Coalition coordinator, John Bradley, at CUTR, (813) 974-6435.
Florida Suncoast Clean Cities Coalition Mission Statement
Accommodate the diverse needs of Coalition stakeholders.
Create new jobs and commercial opportunities.
Facilitate procurement of, and conversion to, alternative fuel vehicles.
Advance the objectives of the Clean Air Act of 1990 and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and their subsequent amendments.
Increase public awareness of the benefits of alternative fuel vehicles.
Increase the available choices of alternative fuels.
Develop "Clean Air Corridors" between the Florida Suncoast Clean Cities Coalition area and other such designated areas.
Increase the number and expand the availability of public- and private-sector alternative fuel refueling facilities.
Support regulated fleets in their alternative fuel vehicle procurement programs.
Develop supportive relationships with environmental groups.
Implement a proactive legislative initiative program.
Identify and actively pursue public and industry alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure funding sources.
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