Clean Cities National Parks Initiative
| AFVs in the Parks |
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March 21, 2011 Jackson, WY Yellowstone Teton Clean Energy Coalition (YTCEC), in partnership with Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, recently secured a grant in the amount of $547,645 to support a variety of clean transportation projects in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). As the regional designee of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities Program, YTCEC worked with both national parks to identify and sponsor appropriate projects for funding under a new Clean Cities National Parks Initiative. The initiative is designed to reduce petroleum use and improve air quality, as well as educate the general public about alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. Vehicles will begin arriving in April of 2011, and YTCEC will provide ongoing program support as the projects are implemented. Grand Teton NP will purchase five 2011 Ford Escape hybrid vehicles totaling $146,175.00. These will replace older, less efficient vehicles used by the park’s Wildlife Brigade. The Wildlife Brigade is a corps of paid and volunteer staff whose primary duties are to respond to wildlife jams and enforce food storage at campgrounds, picnic sites and other developed areas. These hybrid vehicles will see thousands of hours of operation in their first season of use and reduce fuel use by an estimated 30% over conventional vehicles. Yellowstone NP will purchase two hybrid transit buses that will perform a variety of functions, from employee shuttles to visitor transportation opportunities. Additionally, the park will purchase and deploy an electric utility vehicle, with solar charging station, to be deployed at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch. Total allocation for Yellowstone NP is $ 280,000. The remaining funds, $121,470, will be used throughout the GYA to advance clean vehicle technologies. This will include the purchase of two additional hybrid vehicles and idle reduction technologies as well as the launch of an educational program to reduce unnecessary idling throughout the various federal agencies in the GYA. "This innovative program supports both national parks in their ongoing efforts to create sustainable and energy efficient operations. It also offers a unique opportunity to educate park visitors about energy conservation measures," said YTCEC's Executive Director, Phil Cameron. "We appreciate the chance to promote Clean Cities programs and generate broader use of alternative fuels and vehicles while building partnerships such as those with Grand Teton and Yellowstone. After all, national parks are a perfect place for these technologies and strategies to gain national, and international, exposure.” |
