National Parks Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) partners with the National Park Service (NPS) through the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative. The initiative supports transportation projects that educate park visitors on the benefits of shifting to affordable, domestic alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and fuel-saving technologies and strategies. Since 2010, VTO and Clean Cities and Communities coalitions have partnered with NPS on 35 projects to put alternative fuel and fuel-efficient vehicles on the road, reduce vehicle idling, and improve vehicle efficiency. These actions support and coincide with NPS's efforts to reduce vehicle congestion, air pollution, and resource degradation, and to preserve the long-term quality of the parks.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway offers spectacular views for visitors. Courtesy of NPS
Blue Ridge Parkway worked with the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles coalition to shift to domestic fuel use in the park. In 2012, Blue Ridge acquired four hybrids and four propane pickup trucks to replace less-efficient vehicles dating back to model year 1989. The vehicles are helping raise awareness of sustainability among the park's visitors. The park also installed a propane refueling station.
See how the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative supports parks transportation projects.