Gazette
“Driving the way toward energy independence”
| | February 2026 - Volume 8, Issue 72 | | PRCC Attends Annual Energy Independence Summit in Washington, DC | | |
Adam Rossi, Kristen Sabol, and William Sapon at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington DC.
(Photo credit: PRCC)
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On February 11, Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC) attended a Capitol Hill Day in Washington, DC as part of Transportation Energy Partners' (TEP) 2026 Energy Independence Summit (EIS). The two-day EIS event is held annually each year to convene advocates for a clean fuels and energy security policy agenda.
The team - which included PRCC Interim Executive Director Kristen Sabol, Board President William Sapon, and Stakeholder Adam Rossi of Adam Solar Rides - met with seven Pennsylvania legislators' offices to request continued funding for the Clean Cities and Communities partnership. The day kicked off and ended with meetings with Pennsylvania’s two Senators Dave McCormick (R) and John Fetterman (D). In between, office visits with PA House of Representatives included: Madeleine Dean (PA-04); Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06); Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07); Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14); and GT Thompson (PA-15). Follow-up meetings are being scheduled with Brendan Boyle (PA-02) and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11). Additional advocacy letters are being sent to the remaining western PA legislators.
This year’s Summit was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and highlighted an All of the Above Strategy for Clean Fuels that Delivers. More than 30 presenters provided interactive panel sessions that were arranged around a variety of fuel-focused topics, including: Renewable Natural Gas & Hydrogen, Ethanol & Bio/Renewable Diesel; Propane; and Electric Vehicles and Charging. The event also included ample opportunities for industry networking across three receptions.
The policy agenda sought continued funding for Clean Cities and Communities and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) programs. Additional asks covered support for existing tax incentives and efforts to continue to ensure effective implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Conversations centered on job creation, energy security and community-led emissions reductions were well received on both sides of the aisle. In total, TEP coordinated over 140 Congressional meetings around this agenda during the one day Hill visits.
TEP is the national nonprofit that convenes, supports and amplifies the Clean Cities and Communities (CC&C) coalition network, the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary on-the-ground delivery system for alternative fuels and clean transportation solutions. PRCC attends EIS annually in February and invites its Stakeholders to consider joining us there in 2027. For more information, please reach out to us at coordinator@pgh-cleancities.org.
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Energy Department Announces Realignment of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation Programs
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) formalized the realignment of a range of programs pertaining to critical minerals, manufacturing, federal codes and standards, and energy technology research and development. This realignment reflects the Trump Administration’s commitment to fortify America’s critical mineral supply chains to strengthen national security, promote affordability and consumer choice, and reestablish American leadership in energy innovation.
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The DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation announced a strategic realignment.
(Photo credit: Shutterstock.com)
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2026 Fuel Economy Guide Now Available
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have just released the 2026 Fuel Economy Guide. The Guide provides detailed fuel economy estimates for model year 2026 light-duty vehicles, along with estimated annual fuel costs and other information for prospective car buyers. The online Guide will be updated periodically to include newly released vehicle models and current fuel cost estimates.
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Explore the latest Fuel Economy Guide online.
(Photo credit: DOE)
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Shapiro Administration Continues to Lead the Nation in Constructing NEVI-funded EV Stations with 28 Charging Stations Now Open in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the opening of eight new federally-funded Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in Pennsylvania built using funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The new stations bring Pennsylvania’s total EV stations opened under the program to 28, opening 22 charging stations in 2025 through $13 million in federal investment.
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PA now has 28 NEVI Stations (shown with teal stars).
(Photo credit: PennDOT PA NEVI ArcGIS Map)
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PRCC Events:
Gaseous Fuels Committee Meeting
w/The Transport Project
Feb. 24, 2026
10:00 a.m.
via Zoom Webinar
Contact Us
Centre County Alt Fuels Community Engagement Workshop & Tour
March 11, 2026
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority
Register
Electric School Bus Training Academy
March 30, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
CCAC- West Hills Center
Register
CALSTART Events:
Bus Performance in Cold Weather
Webinar
February 23, 2026
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Register
Board of Directors Meetings:
March 4, 2026
May 6, 2026
July 1, 2026
September 2, 2026
November 4, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Three Rivers EVA Club Meetings:
February 21, 2026
March 21, 2026
April 18, 2026
May 16, 2026
June 20, 2026
July 18, 2026
August 15, 2026
September 19, 2026
October 17, 2026
November 21, 2026
December 19, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Find additional details on the club website at: https://www.threeriverseva.org/
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PRCC joins the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium and the Community College of Allegheny County – West Hills Center in offering training classes.This year, we are expanding our curriculum offerings focused on alternative fuels and we'd love to hear from you!
Workforce Development Efforts are now underway to begin offering the training curriculum for electric vehicle mechanics and maintenance service personnel. The first courses have now launched with small cohorts of students in Spring and Fall 2025. A number of partners are supporting this new program which integrates key learnings from OEMs based in Germany! Now plans are underway to integrate a charger maintenance program curriculum. Donated equipment is needed. Please reach out to us if you can help.
For questions about these or other upcoming classes, please contact Bob Koch at 412-788-7378 or
rkoch@ccac.edu.
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Tesla announces plans to provide charging for Heavy Duty trucks.
(Photo credit: Shutterstock.com)
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Automakers respond to changes to the Endangerment Finding.
(Photo credit: Shutterstock.com)
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Work Truck Week
March 10-13, 2026
Indianapolis, IN
The premier annual commercial vehicle event in Indianapolis, hosted by NTEA, featuring 500+ exhibitors, OEM updates, and new vehicle technology trends.
Learn More
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EV Charging Summit & Expo
March 17-19, 2026
Las Vegas, NV
North America's largest and most influential event dedicated to the electrification of transportation infrastructure.
Learn More
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ACT Expo
May 4-7, 2026
Las Vegas, NV
The largest fleet technology show! Supporting the commercial transportation industry, find every solution, every expert, and every connection you need.
Learn More
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MAATSE
July 21-23, 2026
Harrisonburg, VA
Three dynamic days of innovation, collaboration, and insight into the future of transportation in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Join for insights, networking and technology showcases.
Learn More
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA-DEP)
Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program
Approximately $5 million in funding available to school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania that want to transition to cleaner fuel transportation.
Available in two funding rounds.
Deadline for Round 1 - April 1, 2026 at Noon
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program
500 rebates available to Pennsylvania based consumers for new or used electric and alternative fueled vehicles, including trucks and motorcycles. Rebates good for between $500 and $3000 depending on vehicle type and income eligibility.
Offer runs July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 or until funds are exhausted.
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Now is the Time to Become a Member or Renew Your Membership!
If you'd like to work together with other clean fuel leaders in the Western PA region to accelerate the transition away from petroleum-based fuels, then PRCC Membership may be a fit for you! We offer a variety of membership packages to fit every need and budget level.
Reach out to us for more information at any time:
Email Kristen Sabol, Interim Executive Director, coordinator@pgh-cleancities.org.
| | Thanks to All Our Sustaining Members: | | |
Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC)
is a U.S. Department of Energy designated coalition
in the Clean Cities and Communities partnership
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