​The National Biodiesel Foundation was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant through the 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program. In partnership with the DC Department of Public Works and DC Water, this grant will be used to support the purchase of 24 short-haul utility replacement vehicles equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction that will operate on 100% biodiesel. All 24 project vehicles will operate District-wide, throughout all 31 standard zip codes comprising Washington, DC.

“We are grateful for our relationship with organizations - like the National Biodiesel Foundation - that recognize the importance of protecting the environment,” said Ryan Frasier, D.C. Department of Public Works Associate Fleet Administrator. “This grant will help us to more sustainability fulfill DPW’s mission of keeping D.C., streets clean while also supporting Mayor Bowser’s environmental goals.”

The Foundation worked directly with the DC Department of Public Works and DC Water fleet management to design this project, which replaces vehicles with lower emission B100 vehicles. Through this partnership, the DC Department of Public Works and DC Water will help the District reduce its petroleum consumption and meet its environmental goals for improved air quality.

The Clean Cities program will place a critical role in the deployment of the Biden Administration’s policy priorities to address the health, economic, equity and environmental challenges currently facing the United States. The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition will be responsible for the management of several key initiatives in the Washington, DC Metro area:
GWRCCC will coordinate a large portion of the recently-announced $6 million Mid-Atlantic Electrification Partnership intended to expand electric vehicle infrastructure and EV use in DC, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. The program will be supported by four Clean Cities coalitions, three electric utilities, Argonne National Laboratory, EV Noire and government jurisdictions around the region. An important component of the program is the focus on underserved communities in Wards 7 and 8 within the District of Columbia and the surrounding suburban counties; 

COVID 19 has again demonstrated how disproportionately low income communities are impacted by respiratory illness. A major cause of such illnesses is exposure to poor air quality. Equity considerations require that clean air programs but more effectively focus on communities that have too often been overlooked;

Our children must be protected too. GWRCCC is participating in the three-year Mid- Atlantic School Bus Experience Project that provides free access to electric school buses and electric chargers for extended trial periods;

While the Biden Administration’s program focuses heavily on light duty vehicle electrification, it also encourages and incentivizes the use of biofuels too. GWRCCC continues to work with our propane, natural gas and biodiesel stakeholders to encourage the expanded use of these clean fuels;

Access to renewable propane, natural gas (RNG) and diesel fuels also remain a regional priority. Two major water treatment facilities in the DMV are already using, developing and expanding their RNG recovery efforts;

Workplace training remains a priority of the Clean Cities program. GWRCCC continues to work with our stakeholders, major area fleets, community leaders and educators to provide the training necessary to create new, well-paying jobs for technicians in the clean energy economy.

For more information about these programs and opportunities to participate, join our mailing list or refer to our website, www.gwrccc.org. 

The Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) offers a Technology Integration Program that includes a large collection of helpful tools. These calculators, interactive maps, and databases assist transportation decision makers in their efforts to advance alternative fuels and energy-efficient vehicle technologies. 

VTO’s Technology Integration Program supports a broad portfolio of technologies that can reduce transportation energy costs for businesses and consumers. People seeking information on alternative fuels and advanced vehicle data for fleets, cities, and regions can benefit from the tools featured in this guide. Some examples of how Clean Cities coalitions and their stakeholders have used the tools include:

​The Vehicle Cost Calculator

• A Clean Cities coalition used the calculator to demonstrate for auto show attendees the price differential and total cost of ownership of alternative fuel and conventional vehicles;

Fuel Properties

• A Clean Cities coalition used the gasoline gallon equivalent values found in the Fuel Properties Comparison to help stakeholders determine how tax rates are applied to alternative fuels;

EVI-Pro Lite

• An industry association searched the state information pages to find bioenergy production and infrastructure data to assess a state’s capacity to expand fuel production.

For additional information on the analytical tools available for your use, please visit the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center website. 

Ten Clean Transportation trailblazers including elected officials, policy advocates and fleet leaders were honored on Tuesday, September 25th, for their advancements in the utilization of electric vehicles ​and infrastructure, natural gas, propane and biofuels at the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition’s 25th Anniversary Awards Luncheon, at Clyde’s of Gallery Place, 707 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. 

Honorees include:

• Prince William County Supervisor Frank J. Principi for his advocacy on the Potomac River Fast Commuter Ferry Project from Woodbridge, VA to the Wharf in Washington, DC;
• Ernest Chrappah, Director – DC Department of For-Hire Vehicles, for his efforts to advance the use of electric taxi cabs and ride-share vehicles;
• Peter Zadoretzky of the Bozzuto Management Company for the sustainability initiatives of his company;
• WMATA for its continued efforts to purchase environmentally friendly transit equipment including a new large order of CNG buses;
• Sport Automotive of Silver Spring, MD for its efforts to promote Chevrolet and Honda electric plug-in automobiles and its community engagement in environmental initiatives;
• DC Circulator Bus for its new purchase of electric buses and its accompanying educational program for its ridership;
• Prince George’s County Division of Fleet Management for its expanded use of propane vehicles and infrastructure;
• Washington Gas for the expanded use of natural gas in its own fleet and the resulting environmental benefits;
• DC Department of Public Works for its innovations in alternative fuel use including a new pilot project to use 100% biodiesel in six of its heavy-duty trucks;
• Jim Dankowski, Eaton Corporation and Chairperson of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition, in recognition of his six-year tenure as the leader of the Coalition’s Board of Directors.​

​About GWRCCC
The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is a public-private partnership and one of approximately 90 coalitions nationwide designated by the US Department of Energy to promote the use of alternative fuels to reduce the nation’s dependence on petroleum, bolster energy security and strive to improve the region’s air quality.