Clean Cities program helps municipalities cut their use of petroleum

Soy-based products, including biodiesel, a popular alternative to fossil fuels

A group of cities across the United States wants to continue to reduce reliance on oil as their major source of energy. Clean Cities, a group within the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), endeavors to advance the nation’s energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to reduced use of petroleum. The USDOE program has a network of approximately 90 coalitions, located in larger U.S. cities, which develops public and private partnerships to promote renewable fuels and advanced vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and engine-idling reduction.

With this mission in mind, a partnership between Clean Cities and United Soybean Board (USB) makes good sense. 2011 marks the third year USB has funded a reimbursement program through Clean Cities chapters to educate diesel users on the benefits of soy biodiesel and promote the many soy-based industrial products available, from cleaners to lubricants to inks and solvents and more. This helps increase the use of soybean oil by creating demand for soy biodiesel through improving its availability.

“Decreasing our dependence on petroleum and using environmentally-friendly and sustainable U.S. products makes good sense in today’s world and economy,” says Lisa Thurstin, coordinator for the Clean Cities program in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Thurstin, whose program is entitled Twin Cities Clean Cities,  showcased various soy-based products and promoted the use of soy biodiesel at many state-wide events last year.

“Educating consumers, government, bus and trucking fleets and private industries about alternative products lets them know they do have a choice,” Thurstin says. Last year, Thurstin showcased a toy car that promoted many soy products. “What Looks Like a Toy, But Is Filled With Soy” proved to be a successful promotion that received over 1 million media impressions. “We have leveraged USB funds with local money and projects to extend our reach and marketing,” she says.

This year, USB has partnered with Clean Cities chapters to increase the availability and use of Bioheat®. A blend of biofuel and heating oil, Bioheat can be used for home heating.

New York City will implement a Bioheat requirement by 2012.The New York City Lower Hudson Valley Clean Communities (NYCLHVCC) group plans to educate consumers on this new home-heating alternative. “We are excited about the NYC Bioheat mandate that will take effect in 2012 and hope to see NYC set an example for the use of this renewable heating source throughout the rest of New York State and surrounding metropolitan region” says program director Christina Ficicchia.