Participating Countries
Clean Cities International (CCI) facilitated the exchange of information on alternative fuels and vehicles to interested countries around the globe. Participating countries drafted individual goals and objectives for developing technologies, installing refueling infrastructure, and educating residents about the benefits of alternative fuels and vehicles. CCI worked with governments, industry, and other organizations to help establish foundations for viable alternative fuel markets. With support from CCI, innovative programs have been launched in the following countries:
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Bangladesh
Bangladesh has large reserves of stranded gas, which is recommended for downstream use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in transportation. In 1982, CNG was introduced as a transportation fuel to Bangladesh through a World Bank pilot project. Since then, several major funding projects have supported alternative fuel use through the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other organizations. These projects built natural gas pipelines and CNG fueling stations; purchased CNG conversion kits, buses, and auto-rickshaws; trained users on vehicle conversions, maintenance, and repairs; introduced new safety codes and standards; and ran public relations campaigns.
CCI began working with representatives from Dhaka in October 2002 and hosted a training session on CNG vehicles and stations at the World Natural Gas Vehicle Conference in Washington, D.C. In January 2003, CCI traveled to Dhaka to assess the potential for a viable AFV program and market. Later that year, through a partnership with the USAID Mission in Dhaka, CCI conducted a station design course for entrepreneurs who wanted to get into the CNG business. This was followed by a review of Bangladesh codes and standards, a mini trade show, and a Clean Cities "kick-off" meeting. Coalition development continued in May 2004 with another stakeholder's meeting, followed by more training on CNG for financiers in January 2005.
The Bangladesh government has been working with international experts, including CCI, to develop national standards, codes, and regulations for the safe and effective use of CNG. Fiscal incentives include tax holidays and duty-free imports of CNG-related equipment and station equipment, a long-term reduced price for gas feedstock, reduced road taxes for CNG vehicles, and softer loan terms authorized by nationalized commercial banks. The lower fuel cost for CNG serves as an economic incentive to auto-rickshaw drivers and owners to convert their vehicles. For example they could save 45,000 taka ($758 USD) per year in fuel and recover the cost of the initial conversion in about six months. Officials reported in mid-2005 that some 40,000 small vehicles had been converted to CNG since 1996. A five-day work week has also been introduced as a way to reduce travel in both the public and private sectors.
For more information, read the following documents.
- Bangladesh Coalition Moves Toward Clean Cities International Designation (PDF 631 KB)
- Clean Cities International Bangladesh Trip Report Team Bangladesh, May 18-24, 2004 (PDF 2.1 MB)
- Clean Cities International Bangladesh Trip Report Team Bangladesh, November 15-20, 2003 (PDF 1.2 MB)
- Clean Cities International Bangladesh Trip Report Team Bangladesh, August 22-30, 2003 (PDF 2.1 MB)
Canada (Winnipeg)
The Winnipeg Chapter of Manitoba, Canada, partnered with Minnesota and North Dakota stakeholders in the Red River Valley Clean Cities Coalition (RRVCC) to support the local use of alternative fuels and vehicles. Activities included:
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Working with fleets to assess the economic and social benefits of using alternative transportation fuels.
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Helping stakeholders apply for funding to cover the incremental costs for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs).
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Helping stakeholders assess the local potential for alternative fuels and obtain funds to install refueling infrastructure.
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Producing materials to educate the public about alternative fuels and vehicles.
In March 2006, the Province of Manitoba unveiled the first E85 fueling station in the Winnipeg region, and Husky Energy built the second major ethanol-producing plant in Manitoba. Biodiesel development is also expanding in the region with the province's 10-point action plan and its March 2006 announcement that all provincial taxes on Manitoba-produced pure biodiesel would be eliminated. Hydrogen-powered buses also got a trial run in the fall of 2006.
Chile
In 1996, the Chilean National Energy Commission (CNE) invited private Chilean and North American consultants to form a Clean Cities work plan and pilot project. In August 1997, the CNE turned the management of the Clean Cities Santiago program over to the Chilean National Environment Commission for the Metropolitan Region, an agency that promotes sustainable environmental practices. In 1998, Clean Cities Santiago overcame a hurdle with the development of light-duty vehicle emissions requirements and a regulatory guide for incorporating CNG in light-duty vehicles. The Clean Cities Santiago program included several important elements, including starting the program before natural gas arrived by pipeline, designating a public and private sector champion, and creating an information campaign on the benefits of natural gas.
European Union
Clean Cities International worked through peer exchange with the European Union's (EU) CIVITAS program to share successes from both Clean Cities and CIVITAS models.
CIVITAS' Clean Urban Transport Partnership expects to issue its Green Paper on Urban Transport in late 2007. The report will examine whether obstacles to successful urban transport policies exist at the EU level and if there is a consensus among stakeholders to develop and implement joint solutions. The green paper is expected to form the basis for the development of a European policy on urban transport.
For more information, read the following documents.
- Lille Metropolis, Urban Community Bio Gas Bus Project (PDF 3.2 MB)
- Memo from CIVITAS: Let's Work Together (PDF 1.6 MB)
- EU Green Paper on Energy Efficiency or Doing More With Less (PDF 572 KB)
India
In partnership with USAID, CCI began to work with the City of New Delhi in response to the July 1998 Supreme Court of India mandate to replace all New Delhi diesel buses with CNG. The total number of natural gas vehicles placed into service within the city has exceeded 80,000.
In fall 2000, Clean Cities International representatives traveled to New Delhi to learn more about the new regulation and the potential to share the Clean Cities model. In January 2002, the U.S.-based National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), the Society for Indian Automotive Manufacturers, and the Delhi Transport Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help establish a partnership regarding alternative fuel training in India. CCI sponsored training in January 2003 on CNG and propane use and safety through NAFTC. In May 2003, the City of New Delhi received Clean Cities' first "International Partner of the Year" award.
CCI, USAID, U.S. Asian-Environmental Partnership, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory have partnered on clean fuels and vehicles initiatives, including developing AFV education, training, and technology deployment, and stakeholder and coalition building. The partnership led a group of stakeholders to launch the Clean Cities New Delhi program and the incorporation of the Indian AutoLPG Coalition (IAC) in March 2005.
For more information, read the following documents.
- Clean Cities International India Trip Report LPG Autogas Delegation, December 9-17, 2002 (PDF 312 KB)
- Clean Cities International India Reverse Trade Mission Trip Report, October 6-11, 2002 (PDF 504 KB)
- India Trip Report, January 15-24, 2002 (PDF 109 KB)
Mexico
In 2002, CCI began addressing air pollution issues in Mexico City. Much of the focus was on the development of the Mexican autogas market to ensure full economic and environmental benefits. The Mexican government has since put forth several innovative proposals for fighting air pollution resulting from transportation. These include tax incentives for using cleaner fuels and smog control measures. National oil company Pemex has been reducing the production of leaded gasoline and is desulfurizing crude oil to lower the sulfur content of diesel fuel. Manufacturers are taking advantage of government subsidies to convert gasoline-powered delivery trucks to propane. In addition, Ecomex developed a loan program to finance CNG buses in Mexico City.
Peru
In early 2001, representatives from Lima expressed interest in CCI activities. DOE and the Peru Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) signed an MOU in July 2001 to establish a framework for collaborating on energy issues, placing priority on CNG, propane and other clean transportation fuels. To launch the MOU, the Peru MEM hosted a workshop in July 2001 in Lima, and the MEM formed a committee for Clean Cities Peru. In December 2001, CCI invited Clean Cities Peru delegates, along with the Gas Technology Institute and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, to the United States to connect with U.S. companies offering efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound AFV technologies. In 2003, CCI helped create a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) called "Peru Ambiente" to establish the Clean Cities Lima/Pucallpa program. The main purposes of the NGO were to promote the use of clean fuels that improve air quality and public health, encourage free markets and private enterprise, reduce energy costs through the use of locally abundant natural gas, and improve community relations to allow for industrial development while improving the quality of life.
For more information, read the following documents.
- Trip Report Clean Cities/GTI Sponsored Peru Reverse Trade Mission, December 9-13, 2001 (PDF 35 KB)
- Agenda Clean Cities/GTI Sponsored Peru Reverse Trade Mission, December 9-13, 2001 (PDF 46 KB)
Philippines
Most of the Clean Cities International activity in the Philippines is in partnership with the USAID Mission in Manila. A grant award from USAID in 2004 for Clean Cities Philippines resulted in AFV training, coalition development, and technology demonstration projects for coconut methyl ether, biodiesel, CNG, and propane. In February 2005, Clean Cities Philippines hosted U.S. experts trained in CNG station infrastructure and systems integration.
The government of the Philippines made CNG development a priority, and local governments are working to develop markets in and around Manila. The Philippine Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation and Communications are primarily responsible for controlling vehicular emissions. Other active groups are the Metro Manila Development Authority, which runs the anti-smoke belching apprehension program and partners with the Asian Development Bank on the Metro Manila Air Quality Improvement Sector Development Program and the Environmental Management Bureau's Air Quality Management Section, which is responsible for air quality monitoring. These groups have been active in passing regulations to clean up fuels, vehicles, and the air quality through the phase-out of leaded gasoline.
Recent events include the official launch of the Fuels for Life Movement of the Clean Cities Makati Coalition, discussion of collaboration with the International Finance Corporation on technical assistance in the energy sector, and the kickoff of the Environmental Youth Summer Camp.
For more information, read the following document.
- Analysis of Coconut-Derived Biodiesel and Conventional Diesel Fuel Samples from the Philippines (PDF 2.5 MB)