Chicago Clean Cities members save 25 million gallons of gas in 2014
CHICAGO, June 1, 2015 — The Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition today announced that in 2014 its member fleets saved more than 25 million gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs) of petroleum and nearly 240,000 tons of greenhouse-gas emissions.
“This, the coalition's greatest achievement yet, is the equivalent of removing 3,150 tanker trucks' worth of gasoline,” said Samantha Bingham, coordinator, Chicago Area Clean Cities (CACC). “This incredible accomplishment would not be possible without the efforts of the coalition's stakeholders, which include commercial fleets and municipalities throughout the six-county Chicago region.”
The United States is 96 percent dependent on petroleum to transport our goods, services and people, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2014, the U.S. imported more than 2.6 billion barrels of oil at a cost of $1.7 billion.
“Local actions to support the use of more efficient vehicles and development of a domestic alternative-fuels market are important in advancing our nation's energy independence,” said John Walton, vice chairman, Chicago Area Clean Cities. “Our members use a variety of innovative and advanced technologies to reduce petroleum consumption and improve air quality, and we are very proud of the coalition's achievements.”
Chicago Area Clean Cities recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. It is a voluntary coalition whose mission over the last 21 years has been to support local actions to improve the environmental performance and efficiency of public and private fleets in the six-county Chicago metro area. Its members are comprised of federal, state and local governments, auto manufacturers, local car dealerships, fuel suppliers, conversion companies, environmental organizations, corporations, small businesses, and individuals. These stakeholders come together to share information and resources, educate the public, help craft public policy, and collaborate on projects that reduce petroleum use.
Chicago Area Clean Cities is a designated coalition under the U.S. Department of Energy's national Clean Cities program. Nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions work to reduce petroleum use in communities across the country. The City of Chicago, the state of Illinois and other supporters came together to help launch the public-private coalition in May of 1994. The event was marked in City Council Chambers at a signing ceremony attended by Mayor Richard M. Daley, Governor Jim Edgar and U.S. Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary. At the time, Chicago was the first major city, and the 10th city overall, to pledge support for the use of cleaner vehicles and fuels. The City of Chicago plays a leadership role in the coalition.
“Our coalition's members provide a community service by improving air quality and reducing Illinois' dependence on imported petroleum,” said Bingham, who in addition to her role as coordinator of CACC is an environmental policy analyst with the City of Chicago's Department of Transportation. “For that, we are very grateful.”
About Chicago Area Clean Cities
Chicago Area Clean Cities is a 501(c)3 nonprofit coalition focused on promoting cleaner energy for transportation and automotive fleets in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. It is one of nearly 100 coalitions across the country that are affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program, which brings together stakeholders to increase the use of alternative fuel and advanced-vehicle technologies, reduce idling, improve fuel economy and air quality. CACC concentrates its efforts on educating businesses and municipalities in the six-county Chicago area, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. To become involved or learn more about the coalition, visit www.ChicagoCleanCities.org.