Introduction

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to energy use in the American transportation sector that is (i) more efficient; (ii) less dependent on foreign sources; (iii) less environmentally disruptive; (iv) sustainable; and (v) safe. The Energy Policy Act of 1992, supplemented by the 1993 Executive Order 12844: Federal Use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles, and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, all establish guidelines for effecting a favorable energy and environmental situation in the transportation sector. The DOE Clean Cities program is an umbrella to structure and achieve Energy Policy Act program goals and to coordinate objectives of governments and other federal directives, such as the Clean Air Act.

Approach

Local communities organize networks, set forth agreements, and built coalitions to work together to implement and sustain the Clean Cities mission. To meet the goals and objectives of the Clean Cities program in central Florida, the counties of Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Osceola, Okeechobee, Orange, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Volusia have established the Space Coast Coalition. Various public and private agencies, fuel suppliers, fleet owners, and vehicle supplies have developed this program plan to help achieve the introduction and expansion of the use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles in their communities. Stakeholders of the Space Coast Coalition voluntarily undertake their best effort to achieve the specific goals and objectives defined in their program plan. This document is a summary of the Space Coast Clean Cities Program Plan.

Goals of the Coalition

I. Increase public awareness and understanding of the factors causing air pollution and the benefits and costs of using AFVs.
II. Improve the local air quality by reducing emissions, while enhancing the economic development of AFVs and the related infrastructure and technology.
III. Develop related service industries for the development of AFV infrastructure and maintenance of vehicle conversions.
IV. Increase the acquisition and utilization of AFVs

Organization

Leadership of the Coalition, responsibility for meeting national Clean Cities goals, and execution of the Coalition Program Plan is the responsibility of an elected Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and the steering committee. Coordination and management of the daily activities of Space Coast Coalition is provided by the Florida Solar Energy Center supported by the Florida Energy Office Department of Community Affairs.