Senator Sherrod Brown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) praised the release of more than $11 million in new federal funds that will support clean energy vehicles and infrastructure. The funds, available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will help municipalities and organizations purchase clean energy vehicles and will support refueling infrastructure.

Brown fought for the funds in a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu. A copy of the letter can be found below.

“These funds will not only help reduce fuel costs for municipalities, they will create new jobs in clean energy manufacturing,” Brown said. “The Clean Cities program helps reduce fuel consumption, while helping to build an infrastructure for clean energy vehicles. Through partnerships like this, we can make Ohio the Silicon Valley of clean energy manufacturing.”

The funds are administered by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities program, which helps improve the fuel efficiency of municipal vehicles while building an infrastructure for clean energy fueling stations. They will be used to convert gasoline vehicles in a fleet to clean energy vehicles utilizing propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), batteries, and electricity.

The funds will be allocated to Clean Fuels Ohio, which will help municipalities and organizations convert vehicles in their fleets to 283 clean energy vehicles and will help build refueling infrastructure for 26 government and private sector partners. In addition to the economic recovery allocation of $11 million, matching funds provided by partners and private supporters will make the total investment in Ohio near $30 million.

Projects receiving support from Clean Fuels Ohio include:

A copy of Brown’s letter to Chu advocating for the funds can be found below:

June 11, 2009

The Honorable Steven Chu
Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W
Washington, D.C. 20585

Dear Mr. Secretary:

As the Department considers applications for the Clean Cities FY09 grant program (DE-PS26-09NT01236-04) I want to bring to your attention the significance of a Clean Fuels Ohio project titled, “Ohio Advanced Transportation Partnership” (OATP).

The OATP is an initiative that includes twenty-six partners throughout the state of Ohio.  The wide variety of projects included in this partnership range from the purchase and conversion of vehicles to public education campaigns and facility refueling.  These initiatives will not only improve Ohio’s air quality by reducing emissions, but will also provide valuable information to educate  the public about energy efficiency, fuel reduction, and advanced vehicle technology. The partnership includes representatives from government, the private sector, numerous industries, and local non-profits. 

As the Department of Energy reviews the application, I am confident you will find that the objectives of the Ohio Advanced Energy Transportation Partnership are closely aligned with the goals of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Grant Program.  Clean Fuels Ohio is working diligently to develop sustainable markets for cleaner domestic fuels and advanced vehicle technologies.  It is my hope that a successful award will not only improve the environmental quality of Ohio and overall health of my constituents, but will also improve our economy by creating jobs in the alternative fuels and advanced vehicles sector. 

Please give serious consideration to the Clean Fuels Ohio application for funding.  I ask that you keep my office informed on the status of this application.  

Thank you for your efforts.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator

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