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.
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Towboat on the Mississippi River. Courtesy of NPS
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) protects a 72-mile, 54,000-acre corridor along one of the world's great rivers. Regional park and trail destinations within MNRRA are accessible to over 33 million annual visitors to the greater Twin Cities area. In 2013, the Twin Cities Clean Cities coalition worked with the park to install 12 electric vehicle charging stations at 11 MNRRA sites, helping to reduce emissions and educate park visitors about alternative transportation options.
See how the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative supports parks transportation projects.