Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced the selection of 25 
cost-share projects under the Clean Cities program that will be funded
with nearly $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), these projects will
speed the transformation of the nation’s vehicle fleet, putting more
than 9,000 alternative fuel and energy efficient vehicles on the road,
and establishing 542 refueling locations across the country. The DOE
also estimates they will help displace approximately 38 million
gallons of petroleum per year.



Under the Recovery Act, the Clean Cities program will fund a range of
energy efficient and advanced vehicle technologies, such as hybrids,
electric vehicles, plug-in electric hybrids, hydraulic hybrids and
compressed natural gas vehicles, helping reduce petroleum consumption
across the U.S. In addition, funding will support refueling
infrastructure for various alternative fuel vehicles, including
biofuels and natural gas. Other efforts under the Clean Cities program
include public education and training initiatives to further the
program’s goal of reducing the national demand for petroleum.



The projects announced by Secretary Chu will reportedly support a
combined total of more than 9,000 light, medium and heavy-duty
vehicles and establish 542 refueling locations across the country.
The vehicles and infrastructure being funded include the use of
natural and renewable gas, propane, ethanol, biodiesel, electricity,
and hybrid technologies. DOE reports that with cost share
contributions from the recipients, every federal dollar spent will be
matched by nearly two dollars from the project partners.



The Department of Energy also announced that it had selected 23 
projects for up to $15 million in annual appropriations funding. Like
the Recovery Act-funded projects, the annual Clean Cities projects
include grants for vehicles, infrastructure, and education.



The projects announced by Secretary Chu are selections for financial
award. The final details and funding level of each project is subject
to modification based on further contract negotiations between the
selected entity and DOE.



For a map and complete list of award winners href=”http://www.energy.gov/recovery/cleancities.htm”
target=”new”>click here.

Source: Clean Edge News