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Happy birthday, Drive Clean Indiana! This week marks 27 years of our Clean Cities and Communities coalition.
We want to extend a thank you to all of DCI's dedicated members - our success is your success! None of this would be possible without your unwavering commitment to our mission and transportation sustainability.
| | Drive Clean Indiana And NIRPC Honored with 2026 Partners For Clean Air Community Award | | |
Earlier this month, Drive Clean Indiana and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) were honored at the 2026 Partners for Clean Air Annual Scholarship and Awards Luncheon with the Community Award for our joint work on the Indiana Green Fleet Program, including the Northwest Indiana Zero-Emission Vehicle project.
Additionally, we're proud to share that all other award winners are Drive Clean Indiana members or stakeholders! Our air quality progress in Northwest Indiana is only possible because of leaders like you!
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Award Winners
Industrial Award -
Ozinga Energy
Municipal Awards -
City of East Chicago
Town of New Chicago
Gary Public Transportation Corp.
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Scholarship Winners
Srilaya Baskaran
Munster High School
Brooklyn Robert
Andrean High School
Melina Rodriguez
Hammond Central High School
| | *CALL FOR SPEAKERS & MODERATORS* | | |
As we begin to plan Drive Clean Indiana's Crossroads Clean Tech Conference, we'd like to know if you have a topic to share for a breakout session. Submit an idea to be considered for a speaking opportunity today! The conference will be held on November 17-18, 2026, at the Blue Chip Casino's Stardust Event Center.
We are particularly interested in topics that could fall under one of the following categories:
- Advanced Transportation & Fuels
- Grid Modernization & Storage
- Workforce 2030
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We've Teed Up Your Audience - Now It's Time To Score a
Hole In One!
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Foursomes are officially SOLD OUT for our annual golf outing, but we still have plenty of ways for your company to be involved!
From cart to hole sponsorships, there are a variety of ways to have your brand recognized out on the course!
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- Prominent company logo placement by golf carts
- Company logo and link on DCI Birdease event page
- Company logo featured on event signage
- Option to include items in the golfer swag bags
- Recognition in DCI's digital marketing and social media
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- Company logo on golfer swag bags
- Company logo on DCI Birdease event page
- Option to include items in the golfer swag bags
- Recognition in DCI's digital marketing and social media
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- Company logo on lunch bags
- Company logo on DCI Birdease event page
- Option to include items in the golfer swag bags
- Recognition in DCI's digital marketing and social media
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- Company logo on hole signage
- Company logo and website link on DCI Birdease event page
- Option to include items in the golfer swag bags
- Recognition in DCI's digital marketing and social media
| | Michiana Bus Operators Cut Costs with Propane-Powered Buses | | |
Congratulations to Wa-Nee Community Schools on their transition to propane-powered school buses and to South Bend Public Transportation Corporation for its continued leadership with compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses!
These projects demonstrate how alternative fuels are delivering real benefits in the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) region and across Indiana—helping fleets reduce operating costs, improve energy security, and lower emissions while maintaining reliable transportation services for students and communities.
We’re especially proud that both the Wa-Nee propane school bus initiative and South Bend Transpo’s CNG bus program are Drive Clean Indiana projects. Together, they showcase how cleaner transportation solutions can work across a variety of fleet applications, creating economic and environmental benefits throughout our region.
WATCH THE WNDU-TV NEWS (SOUTH BEND) FEATURE HERE
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Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel that can be manufactured domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled restaurant grease. It is a cleaner-burning replacement for petroleum diesel fuel.
Biodiesel is a liquid fuel often referred to as B100 or neat biodiesel in its pure, unblended form. Like petroleum diesel, biodiesel is used to fuel compression-ignition engines, which run on petroleum diesel.
Learn more on our website
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Lessons Learned About Alternative Fuels: Start Small, Stay Flexible
There are both benefits and challenges to adopting alternative fuels and zero-emission vehicles into your trucking fleet. So we asked this year's HDT Top Green Fleets for advice and lessons learned.
These fleets are pursuing a wide range of sustainability solutions, from renewable diesel and renewable natural gas to battery-electric trucks. Some operate entirely zero-emission fleets. Others are still experimenting.
Read Full Article Here
| | | Grants Available to Boost Indiana's Recycling Economy | | |
Grant funding is now available for recycling projects through the Recycling Market Development Program (RMDP). Eligible applicants may request between $50,000 and $500,000 in funding. Proposals will be accepted through July 29, 2026.
Who can apply? Public and private businesses, municipalities, solid waste management districts, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions, located and operating in Indiana are eligible to apply.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate a need and outline how the project will
- Increase the collection or use of recyclable materials.
- Reduce municipal solid waste sent for disposal.
- Build or strengthen partnerships with local communities.
- Raise public awareness of recycling through meaningful outreach and education.
Projects should demonstrate sustainability and an understanding of the changing economy for recyclers and look at where monies can be used most effectively to increase statewide recycling.
Final funding decisions will be made in December.
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Emily Dywan
School: Purdue Northwest
Hometown: Munster, IN
Major: Civil Engineering
Why DCI?: Within my field of Civil Engineering, DCI appeals to me as their line of work focuses heavily on the future of urban mobility in real-world applications. It’s more impactful to see change unfold rather than just believe in it.
What do you hope to learn?:
I’m excited to learn how innovative transportation solutions and urban planning can intersect to develop a more sustainable future. DCI also offers the chance to develop communication, technical, and organizational skills that I’ll carry with me.
What are some of your future goals?:I hope to earn my degree in Civil Engineering and enhance my experience through internships and fieldwork. I hope I stick around the Munster region for a while.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I love looking for new hole-in-the-wall spots around the area, whether it's garage sale gold mines or a new coffee shop in town.
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Emily McCallister
School: Purdue University
Hometown: Crown Point, IN
Major: Forestry
Why DCI?: I have always been vastly interested in sustainability science. Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly relevant in today’s world, and DCI provides a great opportunity for me to better understand this topic.
What are some of your future goals?: I would love to get involved with the local politics of Northwest Indiana. I have become increasingly interested in the implementation and reactions toward the plans for local data centers. Additionally, I would like to educate others about EV usage and pricing, as well as further educate myself on EV batteries. Overall, the biggest goal I have is to be more confident in general when communicating to others about sustainability science.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I have a job lined up in Southern California that starts in the fall!
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NIRPC AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HOLD RIBBON CUTTING FOR FIRST PHASE OF MARQUETTE GREENWAY!
On June 6, NIRPC, the National Park Service, and the City of Gary opened a 2.4 mile section of the Marquette Greenway (MG) from the Douglas Environmental Center east to County Line Road. This is the first phase of three, connecting the MG through the Indiana Dunes National Park.
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Clean Transportation in the News!
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities!
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- Exclusive access to 400+ industry contacts in our Drive Clean Indiana database.
- Digital recognition for your commitment to sustainability via our newsletter, website, events, and social media
- Access to funding opportunities associated with sustainable American fuels, vehicles, and technologies
- Notification of all Drive Clean Indiana-hosted and sponsored events and educational opportunities
- Priority notification of our event sponsorships and brand recognition opportunities
- Access to private training sessions, workshops, and conferences
- Information regarding legislation related to vehicle and fuel requirements
- Opportunity to network with businesses in your industry, reach new clients, and explore new opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs
- Opportunity to serve on the Drive Clean Indiana Board of Directors.
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