I am thrilled to share that yesterday the Department of Energy announced our Northern Mountain West Collaborative Expansion Project was awarded $1 million.
The project will develop a four-state regional partnership across Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming to strategically collaborate for increased adoption of alternative fuel vehicles and fuel, focusing on medium- and heavy-duty fleets. This project will add staff capacity to North Dakota Clean Cities, Treasure Valley Clean Cities and Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities to bring cohesive planning, programming, and implementation to stakeholders throughout the region.
We’ll focus on the fuels identified in the US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization for medium and heavy-duty fleet vehicles, including electric, hydrogen, and renewable fuels, with a focus on renewable diesel as the fuel is produced in three of the states in this partnership.
Along with many other Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions, we’re also a partner on the National Fire Protection Association project.
The full annoucement is below and if you want to take a peek at what else was funded, you can find that HERE.
https://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-31-at-10.00.47-AM.png5842022Alicia Coxhttps://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YellowstoneTetonCleanCities1.pngAlicia Cox2024-10-31 11:53:492024-10-31 11:53:49Big News! YTCC Awarded $1 million DOE Grant
With over a decade of experience as an executive director in the Clean Cities and Communities (CC&C) partnership, Alicia Cox works tirelessly to ensure that the Wyoming/Montana/Idaho areas have clean transportation options tailored to their unique needs.
On Thursday, September 12, Cox was honored for her leadership of Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities by being inducted into the CC&C Hall of Fame, which places her among a group of elite CC&C coalition directors who have been recognized for their resolute commitment and contributions to furthering alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies in U.S. transportation.
Mark Smith, manager of the U.S. Department of Energy Technology Integration Program, made the announcement on the third day of the Clean Cities and Communities Annual Training Workshop, where coalition representatives from across the nation come together to learn about the latest transportation research, share experiences, and recognize each other’s successes.
Cox is a great champion for the CC&C mission with a steadfast attitude and warm personality, supporting and promoting the use of all alternative fuels in the Wyoming/Montana/Idaho area. Over the years, she has developed many initiatives, including Drive Electric Greater Yellowstone (now Drive Electric Wyoming and Drive Electric Wyoming, the Electric Vehicle (EV) Experience, the EV Ambassador Program, and EV charging station rebate programs. Cox served as a major partner in DOE’s WestSmart EV, WestSmart EV@Scale, and CORWest projects, which all support EV infrastructure buildout in the Northwest. Additionally, this past year Cox has supported nearly $12 million in successfully funded stakeholder projects through various federal programs, most recently the Town of Jackson’s $5.5 million Department of Transportation Community and Fueling Infrastructure Grant (DOT CFI).
Cox’s work also expands beyond EVs. She led the development of training and curriculum for local stakeholders in green fleets, a transportation-themed sustainability series focused on alternative fuels, vehicles, and other fuel-saving practices, including renewable diesel, natural gas, idle reduction, rideshare, and transit.
YTCC’s longstanding efforts around the area’s ski resorts and national parks are especially lauded, given the coalition’s territory includes some of America’s best skiing and two of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are responsible for an increase in local road congestion during the summer months. Another of the coalition’s notable recent projects is the Wheel House Commuter Bike Hub, which reduced emissions and traffic congestion by providing e-bike charging and bike storage so local commuters can get off busy roads during high-tourism season.
Under Cox’s 10-plus years of leadership, YTCC has displaced a total of 972,646 gasoline gallon equivalents and reduced 9,235 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The coalition fosters relationships with 80 stakeholders from some of the most sparsely-populated states in the country—Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
“Thank you all, I love the Clean Cities and Communities coalition network,” said Cox. “You all are my family, and this work is so fun and always changing!”
https://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-12-Image-0845_websize.jpg10671600Jesse Therienhttps://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YellowstoneTetonCleanCities1.pngJesse Therien2024-09-23 12:48:142024-09-23 12:48:15U.S. Department of Energy Recognizes Local Leader for Advancing Clean Transportation
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is now accepting grant proposals for emissions reduction projects across the state.
Proposed projects must involve methods to mitigate nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from vehicles listed within the eligible mitigation actions established in DEQ’s Volkswagen (VW) Mitigation Plan.
DEQ will fund accepted grant proposals from $1,000,000 of funding provided through the Volkswagen Settlement Funds.
In 2019, DEQ awarded over $500,000 VW Settlement funds to Grand Teton National Park, Western Wyoming Beverages, the Jackson Hole Airport, and Sublette County School District #1. YTCC supported both Jackson Hole Airport and Grand Teton National Park on their applications.
This is an open and competitive process. Applicants must submit their proposals to DEQ no later than 5:00 p.m. January 31, 2024, to be considered. Project applicants will be scored on a numeric, 70-point scale. Points will be awarded based on how well applicants demonstrate that their project meets the criteria specified in the DEQ VW Mitigation Plan, as well as the level of detail included in the applicant’s responses to application questions. All project applicants will receive fair and equal consideration.
The following criteria will be used in selection and ranking of proposals received:
Greatest NOX emissions reductions.
Cost benefit – Projects that achieve the highest emission reductions at the lowest cost.
Potential for achieving measurable NOX emission reductions in nonattainment areas.
NOX Emission reduction benefits to areas of greater population density.
NOX Emission reduction benefits to sensitive populations, such as children and the elderly.
Projects Eligible for VW Settlement funds:
Class 8 Local Freight Trucks (Eligible Large Trucks)
Class 4-8 School Bus, Shuttle Bus, or Transit Bus (Eligible Buses)
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (YTCC) is excited to announce a significant expansion of its sustainable fuel efforts with Renewable Diesel now available at public gas stations in Belgrade, MT; Jackson, WY; and Nampa, ID. This collaborative effort, with Parkland USA and Farstad Oil underscores YTCC’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a practical way and promoting cleaner transportation solutions in the region.
Renewable Diesel is a premium alternative to traditional diesel fuel that is produced from renewable resources such as animal fats, vegetable oils, and other organic feedstocks. It is a lower-carbon emitting, high-performance fuel that can help reduce the environmental impact of transportation while maintaining the efficiency and increasing reliability demanded by consumers.
“We are thrilled to bring Renewable Diesel to Belgrade, Jackson, and Nampa,” said Jesse Therien, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, Project Manager. Jesse has been working persistently and attentively for over a year to educate fleet managers and station owners in the region about the benefits of Renewable Diesel.
“This endeavor not only supports YTCC’s mission but also aligns with the broader goal of the Biden administration to transition to a decarbonized transportation system”, said Alicia Cox, Executive Director of Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities.
Renewable Diesel offers several key benefits, including:
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Renewable Diesel produces up to 75% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional diesel, contributing to a cleaner environment.
Improved Air Quality: Using Renewable Diesel can help reduce air pollutants and particulate matter, leading to improved air quality in urban areas.
Compatibility with Existing Engines: Renewable Diesel can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications, making it a practical choice for fleets and individual drivers. It reduces DPF regens and DEF consumption.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Jesse and Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities to be the first to offer renewable diesel in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming,” Cole Mort, Sales Manager Northern Regional Operating Center (ROC).
YTCC is actively working with local gas station owners, fuel distributors, government agencies and businesses to facilitate the introduction of Renewable Diesel at public stations as well as deliveries to specific fleet fueling locations. Through educational outreach and logistical support, YTCC works to make this sustainable fuel option easily accessible to those in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
The success of this partnership will not only benefit the local communities by offering cleaner fuel options but also contribute to the nationwide effort to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. YTCC recognizes the critical importance of expanding access to domestic sustainable fuels like Renewable Diesel to meet environmental goals and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
https://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Annotation-2024-02-22-105820-1.png6401247Jesse Therienhttps://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YellowstoneTetonCleanCities1.pngJesse Therien2023-10-12 09:42:242024-07-13 17:35:49Renewable Diesel Availability at Public Gas Stations to 3 New States!
https://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Final_-20-Year-Anniversary-Logo.png500500Alicia Coxhttps://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YellowstoneTetonCleanCities1.pngAlicia Cox2023-07-05 12:53:522024-07-13 17:41:04Celebrating 20 years of YTCC
It is considerably less to install the conduit at time of construction or when re-surfacing a parking lot than retrofitting, but there are still costs involved with running the conduit. What might it cost you to construct an EV Ready parking space? Find out with this calculator.
https://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AdobeStock_179693284.jpeg40006000Jesse Therienhttps://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YellowstoneTetonCleanCities1.pngJesse Therien2023-02-24 09:07:272023-02-24 09:15:22Want to make your building EV Ready? Calculate the costs here!
YTCC has been celebrating our 20th year anniversary and we continue to do so through this Spring. We compiled a timeline of our work for a poster at our in-person events and would love to share with you all here!
Jackson, Wyoming – September 19, 2022 – The Good Traveler announced the launch of a new pilot program in partnership with environmental nonprofit organizations throughout the country. Individuals and businesses now have the option and opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their air travel through mileage-based charitable donations to hyper-local projects working to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Pilot partners include Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (Jackson, WY), San Diego Foundation (San Diego, CA), Weed Warriors Nature Stewards Program (Seattle, WA), Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers (New York, NY), and HeartLands Conservancy (SW Illinois) with additional partners coming soon.
The Good Traveler was founded in 2015 by San Diego International Airport (SAN) to help both airports and travelers reduce their carbon footprint. Today, the program has grown to include more than 20 airports, airlines, and fixed-base operators (FBOs) that operate at airports. The program works with these aviation partners to give travelers the ability to purchase certified carbon offsets. All offset funds support emissions-reducing projects in North America that are third-party verified to be of the highest quality. The Good Traveler is currently managed by Jet-Set Offset, a sustainable aviation company that provides the program with transparent, research-based carbon calculations.
“The Good Traveler Program has grown significantly since the Jackson Hole Airport joined and we are excited to see the program expanding on a local level. We hope this encourages new organizations to sign-up and join us in offsetting emissions”, stated Bob McLaurin, Airport Board President.
Public consciousness of the environmental impact of flying grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now that travel has resumed and is nearing pre-pandemic levels, The Good Traveler wants to give travelers climate positive offset options through the purchase of certified carbon offsets or by donating locally to impact home or destination communities. It only takes about one minute to sign up online. Travelers can start by visiting www.jacksonholeairport.com/community/carbon-offsetting. The Good Traveler website now features the option to create a profile and save traveler offsetting preference – certified carbon offsets as the site has always offered, or a tax-deductible donation to any one of the environmental nonprofit partners.
“We are thrilled about this partnership with the Jackson Hole Airport. The Good Traveler’s new offering allows Jackson Hole Airport to support greenhouse gas reducing projects right in their own community. YTCC is looking forward to implementing transportation projects from which residents of Jackson will benefit.” Alicia Cox, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Executive Director.
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities is honored to be now participating in The Good Traveler as a Nonprofit Partner. For more information visit our website at www.ytcleancities.org. Donations will support sustainable transportation opportunities for residents throughout the Town of Jackson.
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities is the sole regional designee of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program. YTCC works to advance alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure and sustainable transportation options to increase energy security and sustainability in the Greater Yellowstone region.
https://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TheGoodTraveler.jpg4231210Bailey Collinshttps://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YellowstoneTetonCleanCities1.pngBailey Collins2022-09-23 13:48:032023-02-04 11:11:08The Good Traveler Partners with Local Environmental Nonprofit Organizations to Provide Air Travelers with Alternative to Certified Carbon Offsets
Subject: Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming ChargeWest™ Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ChargeWest™ – West Electric Highway Powers-Up Regional Fast Charging for Eight Western States
Date – September 15th, 12-2 pm at 3753 US-20, Island Park, ID 83429
The ChargeWest™ – West Electric Highway interstate partnership will be celebrated in Idaho on September 15th, 3753 US-20, Island Park, ID 83429. ChargeWest™ is an eight state collaborative between AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY and is the largest EV corridor collective in the nation. This highly collaborative western-centric project brings together the intermountain west states with their Governors, Energy Offices, Departments of Transportation, and regional Clean Cities programs. Together, the project combines the efforts of over 75 partners and is funded by the Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Program and supported by the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO).
The States of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming will celebrate their EV charging initiatives at 3753 US-20, Island Park, ID 83429, where a new charging station will be installed through the State of Idaho’s Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Program. The first half of the event will comprise of speakers and the second hour will provide the opportunity to view and test drive electric vehicles currently on the market including Tesla models and the Ford Lightning. Speakers for the event include:
ChargeWest lead, Tammie Bostick
Idaho Governor Brad Little
State of Montana Energy Office, Kyla Maki
State of Wyoming Business Council, Ron Gullberg
National Park Service, remarks delivered by Alicia Cox of Yellowstone Teton Clean Cities Coalition
Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative, Clint Washburn
Governor Little, during his 2019 EV Day Proclamation, said that “zero-emission electric vehicles with clean energy produced in our state protects our health while creating new good-paying jobs, especially in rural communities.” The State of Idaho EVSE Program has allocated funding to install 12 fast charging stations along major travel and tourist corridors, including 3 locations under development in Eastern Idaho in Island Park, Driggs, and Ashton.
“The intermountain west is becoming one of the most visited places in the United States” says Tammie Bostick, Executive Director Utah Clean Cities, ChargeWest™ project lead. “We want the modern traveler to experience the same highways and byways of our western heritage with today’s new electric fuel horsepower. Drivers can ChargeWest™ with range confidence.” Consumers will see over 100 new electric vehicle models coming to market in the next two years with ranges exceeding 600 miles, which will create confidence in traveling with electric vehicles.
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https://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ChargeWest.jpg400800Bailey Collinshttps://ytcleancities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YellowstoneTetonCleanCities1.pngBailey Collins2022-09-07 15:01:422023-02-02 23:45:15Charge West Launch Island Park, Idaho
