Money for Clean Fuel projects

One thing I'm always trying to point out to places that are thinking about or have already become Cool Cities is that in many cases the money is out there for them to implement more creative environmental programs into their city's operations. It doesn't have to be expensive- beyond the fact that newer environmental technologies often pay for themselves after a short period of time, there's also grant funding out there for special projects.

Along those lines check out this project at NC State:

The North Carolina Solar Center at NC State University has $625,000 to award to governments, business, and/or non-profit fleet and fuel providers for transportation related emission reduction projects. The Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) Project is a three year, $2 million dollar initiative of the NC Solar Center (NCSC) funded by federal dollars from the NC Department of Transportation with state support from the State Energy Office and Division of Air Quality. In addition to providing assistance for emission reduction projects such as purchasing alternative fuel vehicles, installing refueling infrastructure for cleaner burning alternative fuels, retrofits on older diesel vehicles and idle reduction technology, the CFAT project focuses on education and outreach to the twenty-four NC counties that do not meet national ambient air quality standards.

Project proposals must be submitted to the NC Solar Center by July 16, 2007.

Check out the full press release here.

The eligible counties for these projects are:

Cabarrus, Catawba, *Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Granville, Guilford, * Haywood, *Iredell, Johnston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Nash, Orange, Person, Rowan, *Swain, Union, Wake.

If you're in one of those places make your local government aware of these funds and tell them to apply!