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Contact: Public Affairs Office, 307.739.3393
Through a Clean Cities National Parks Initiative, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition (YTCEC) recently partnered with both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks to secure over $200K in funding to add a plug-in hybrid electric car to their vehicle fleets and install six public electric vehicle charging stations. Thanks to YTCEC's efforts, Grand Teton and Yellowstone will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize their petroleum use by operating these alternative fuel vehicles. Visitors driving through the parks in a plug-in electric car will now have the ability to charge their vehicle at several locations. The Clean Cities National Parks Initiative will demonstrate the viability of using electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids within the Greater Yellowstone Area, and establish a hub for the region's electric vehicle infrastructure network. The initiative's next phase will be to encourage gateway communities to install charging stations. Jackson, Wyoming has taken the lead with four charging stations recently installed. As the regional designee of the Department of Energy's Clean Cities program, YTCEC worked with both national parks to identify and submit a request for funding. Executive Director Alicia Cox stated, "This project serves as a testament to the benefits of the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative and our Coalition's capacity to establish partnerships and the support necessary to encourage use of alternative fuel vehicles across the Greater Yellowstone region." "Across the country, our national parks are making more sustainable transportation options available to their staff and visitors alike," added Cox. "This project provides the foundation necessary to create a region-wide electric vehicle charging infrastructure within the Greater Yellowstone area, allowing for longer trips through the region in an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle." The Coalition coordinates the Greater Yellowstone Electric Vehicle Working Group to help facilitate a cohesive introduction of charging stations into the region. Find out more about the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative atwww.cleancities.energy.gov/national_parksor go to www.ytcleanenergy.org for more regional electric vehicle information. About the National Park Service:More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 407 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit the NPS at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, via Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and on YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice. About Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition:One of about 100 Clean Cities Coalitions across the country, YTCEC's mission is to displace the use of petroleum in the transportation sector, improve air quality through reduced harmful emissions, and increase energy security.This work is accomplished primarily through the promotion of alternative fuels and vehicles, integrated transportation systems, and related conservation strategies and technologies that benefit the public interest by reducing energy consumption.As the sole regional designee of the Department of Energy's Clean Cities program, YTCEC functions as Department of Energy's on-the-ground advocate focused on petroleum displacement activities with a diverse array of stakeholders throughout the Greater Yellowstone Region. |
Last updated: April 24, 2015