Sleeping Bear Dunes to Unveil Updated Fleet

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News Release Date: August 15, 2014

On Monday, August 25, 2014 at 2:00 p.m., Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) will celebrate the successful implementation of a Clean Cities National Parks Initiative project. The accomplishments will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony located at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center at 9922 Front Street, Empire, Michigan 49630.

With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and technical assistance from the Clean Energy Coalition, a non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor, the National Lakeshore implemented a range of measures to reduce the environmental impact of its fleet. Specifically, the National Lakeshore was able to:

• Replace aging fleet vehicles with three new plug-in electric vehicles and three propane pickup trucks.
• Install electric vehicle charging stations and a tire inflation station.
• Transition the vehicle fleet into a shared-resource motor pool structure. 
• Provide “eco-driver” training to all employees.

As a result of the initiative, the park was able to reduce its fleet vehicle emissions by nearly 20 percent and promote the benefits of alternative fuels and fuel-efficient driving habits with its more than 1.3 million annual visitors.

The ribbon-cutting event will include remarks from National Lakeshore staff, Clean Energy Coalition staff, and elected officials. Event guests will also have the opportunity to view the new vehicles and charging station in the visitor center parking lot.

About Clean Cities National Parks Initiative 
The Clean Cities National Parks Initiative was developed to demonstrate how technologies and expertise from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program can help complement the mission of the National Park Service, promoting the use and enjoyment of national parks while preserving natural and historic resources. Clean Cities Coalitions across the country advance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions to reduce petroleum consumption in transportation. For more information about the initiative, visit www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/national_parks.html.

About Clean Energy Coalition 
Clean Energy Coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting clean energy technologies as a way to create healthier, energy-independent communities. Since 2005, Clean Energy Coalition has implemented, managed, and evaluated cost-effective, market transformation projects and programs in the building and transportation sectors valued at more than $60 million. The organization was recognized for its environmental leadership with a 2012 Michigan Green Leader Award from the Detroit Free Press and has been named one of Michigan’s 101 Best and Brightest Sustainable Companies™ for 2012. Clean Energy Coalition manages both the Ann Arbor Area Clean Cities Coalition and the Detroit Area Clean Cities Coalition. For information about Clean Energy Coalition, visit cec-mi.org.

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