2023 marks 30 years since the establishment of the Clean Cities Program through the Department of Energy (DOE). Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (CCFC) is one of over 75 coalitions nationwide that work at the local level to advance clean, affordable transportation fuel technologies and systems along with energy-efficient mobility systems. This past month, our CCFC team was out and about in our region and beyond, championing issues surrounding clean energy and enhanced mobility.

For decades, the United States has been working to move past its dependence on fossil fuels. This article highlights the efforts made on the state level to help promote cleaner transportation and how Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition is furthering these initiatives in our region.

Stormwater management has been identified as a critical component of hazard mitigation plans across the Centralina region and beyond. Natural and manmade disruptions will continue to emerge, threatening the health, safety, and economic vitality of our communities.

The Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition (CCFC) is the designated Clean Cities Coalition for the greater Charlotte region through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This year saw CCFC redouble our efforts through a variety of innovative, collaborative projects. As 2022 draws to a close, let’s look back at the top five successes for clean, equitable transportation across the region over the last year.

In March 2022, Centralina awarded the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) Electric Vehicle (EV) Bus Fleet the Clean Cities Award. The CLT EV Bus Fleet provides sustainable solutions to employees, tenants, passengers, the local community and region.

MacLeod Construction is a concrete and construction company with a penchant for progress. Customers are served by MacLeod’s concrete flatwork, poured walls, foundations and most recently, its ready-mix supplies. Increasing demand for concrete and construction services coupled with industry investments and government incentives has allowed MacLeod to capitalize on alternative fuel vehicles such as compressed natural gas vehicles.

Does Our Region Have an EV Infrastructure Plan? There is a flood of transportation-related funding coming to North Carolina thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). To assist our member communities, Centralina is developing resources that support planning and funding activities on a regional level. We are also working with the NCDOT to update state EV plans, such as the 2019 zero-emission vehicle plan, as mandated under the federal BIL and NC Executive Order 246.

On Thursday, Feb. 24th Centralina, along with project partners UNC Charlotte, the City of Charlotte and Duke Energy, unveiled the PoleVolt electric vehicle charging station at the Ritz at Washington Heights. The one-year pilot project is the culmination of a three-year collaboration between government, business, research and community.