Celebrating 30 Years of Clean Cities: Honoring Champions of Clean Transportation
Posted by [email protected] on Oct. 10, 2023 / Stakeholder Summit / Subscribe 0
On September 6, the Department of Energy (DOE) marked the Clean Cities program’s 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of partnership at the Stakeholder Summit in McLean, VA. This extraordinary event, attended by over 350 passionate participants, resonated with a resounding message of fuel inclusivity, sustainability, and unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship. A new Clean Cities video premiered during the Summit, highlighting how coalitions generate national impact by transforming transportation systems at the local level.
Over the past 30 years, coalition activities have saved the equivalent of 13 billion gallons of gasoline and prevented more than 67 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Distinguished stakeholders were honored at the event for their national and regional dedication to clean fuels and vehicles. During the awards ceremony, New Jersey Clean Cities Coalitions’ Platinum Stakeholder, South Jersey Gas, along with the organization's leading advocate for clean fuels - Pete Morano, was presented with the 'CNG Leadership' award.
Chuck Feinberg, the Director of the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition applauded Pete for his enduring commitment over the past eight years to expand the influence and footprint of CNG across New Jersey. “Under Pete's visionary leadership and unwavering determination, SJG/SJI has risen to the forefront as an industry leader, advocating for CNG, RNG, and the upcoming sustainably produced hydrogen”. Feinberg continues, “Pete's efforts have led to the development of nearly a dozen publicly available CNG/RNG stations, facilitated numerous customer fleets' transition to natural gas, converted a significant portion of SJG/SJI's fleet to CNG, and established effective service programs for regional CNG fleets.”
The SJG/SJI CNG stations' reduced both carbon and particulate emissions throughout the region, while simultaneously reducing fleet reliance on foreign oil. These stations were then able to maximize the benefits of RNG by incorporating this cleaner fuel into their service footprint, further reducing carbon emissions to near zero levels. Additionally, the company’s dedication to service provides a solid foundation and support platform for the fleet teams that keep these vehicles in operation.
Furthermore, the company is at the forefront of advancing several hydrogen supply and production projects. Pete is spearheading these and other RNG initiatives at facilities in-state, with plans to blend the fuels into the gas distribution system.
South Jersey Gas and Pete Morano have been and continue to be staunch supporters and advocates of the Clean Cities Program and the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition. Their enduring dedication to the advancement of cleaner transportation solutions has remained steadfast, tracing its roots back to the inception of our organization.
The DOE's 30-year commemoration vividly demonstrated the enduring spirit of collaboration in the pursuit of a cleaner and more prosperous future. With the joint 30th Anniversary Cruise & Gala event, involving the NJCCC, Empire Clean Cities, and NAFA, we concluded our celebrations of this significant milestone, emphasizing the critical role of collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders and partners. Looking ahead, the DOE remains resolute in its mission to aid the United States in achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050, and New Jersey Clean Cities stands ready as the boots on the ground to support our stakeholders in bringing that vision forward.
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