Southern California Clean Cities Coalition Awarded for Climate Progress

The Southern California Clean Cities Coalition received two first place awards at the national 2024 Clean Cities and Communities Training Workshop for the “greatest percent increase in gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs) reduced” (i.e., an alternative fuel source equivalent to one gallon of fossil fuel) and the “greatest percent increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) reduced.” All 75+ coalitions in the national network of clean cities coalitions were eligible for the awards. 

The awards were based on data reported in the coalition’s “2023 Clean Cities Annual Report.” The report is a required annual submission to the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE). Together with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the U.S. DOE analyzes the data for effects in energy use, GHG emissions, and other metrics to show the progress of individual coalitions and the network in total. The report includes data on the sales of alternative fuels, deployment of alternative fuel vehicles, idle-reduction initiatives, fuel economy activities, and efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled, among other projects and programs.  

To earn the award, the Southern California Clean Cities Coalition achieved a 129 percent increase in GGEs reduced and an 814 percent increase in GHG emissions reduced compared to 2022. In second place: Houston-Galveston, with a 59 percent increase in GGEs reduced, and Minnesota, with a 105 percent increase in GHGs reduced. 

Demonstrating the potential of regional collaboration, these numbers are calculated based on reporting and input from fleet and transit operators in the region, so the accomplishment directly reflects the vehicle purchases and fleet management accomplishments of the coalition’s stakeholders. Significant increases in the amount of alternative fuel vehicles were included among the regional accomplishments reported in 2023, including 2,025 compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and 305 CNG transit buses operated by Foothill Transit. 

The Southern California Clean Cities Coalition will continue to work with the region’s transit operators and other stakeholders to report data for future annual reports—more participation will create an even clearer picture of the significant contributions of regional partners to advance alternative fuels and low- and zero-emission vehicles in the region.