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A Message from the
Executive Director
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There are many paths to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future for our region. From zero emissions vehicles to greener buildings to increased recycling materials including food wastes, it is strongly encouraged that public and private sector entities develop sustainability goal.
Communities, businesses, and institutions must develop short and long-term policies and practices that will enable them to have a positive impact on improving our land, air, and water for generations to come. There is no silver bullet to transitioning our regional and national economy to one that is more sustainable. Every idea and technology will have pitfalls from scarcity of raw materials to acceptance by communities and workers.
GWRCCC is available to partner with you and your organization on developing ESG and/or sustainability plans or initiatives. Our team includes some of the top leaders across the country and the globe on these topics. Let’s work together to make our region a better place to live, work, own a business and raise a family.
Thank you to everyone that attended the GWRCCC Annual Conference and Awards Luncheon on October 20, 2022, at the National Press Club. The event was a huge success. We are asking all our readers to donate to GWRCCC on Giving Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at https://gwrccc.org/donations/. If you would like to be on our Giving Tuesday Team, please email me at AntoineThompson@gwrccc.org.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
Antoine M. Thompson
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Fleet Coaching
GWRCCC is offering 30 minutes of coaching for a limited number of fleets each month.
For more information, contact the office at (202) 671-1580.
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $160 Million Available for Smart Transportation Technology that Helps Americans
Get More Out of Their Infrastructure
New SMART and ATTAIN Programs Support Innovation that Advances American Competitiveness, Fights Climate Change, Improves Safety and Helps Americans Save Time and Money
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September 19, 2022
WASHINGTON- The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that it is accepting applications for two programs that will make approximately $160 million available annually for the next five years for projects that use technology to improve our transportation infrastructure and make communities safer.
The first program is the new Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The SMART Grants Program is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The program will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years and will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today.
“As we undertake the most ambitious infrastructure investment in generations, thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can and must plan for the transportation needs of the future,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “From connected vehicles that make driving safer, to smart traffic signals that reduce congestion, to sensors to detect the quality of pavement to help prioritize repair, our SMART grants will fund technology that makes people’s lives better in communities across America.”
The SMART program will fund purpose-driven innovation and focus on building data and technology capacity and expertise. The Program seeks proposals from public sector entities that will carry out demonstration projects in the following domains to address key transportation priorities:
- Vehicle technology, like automation and connectivity
- Systems innovation, like delivery and logistics, traffic signals, smart grid, and data integration
- And new ways to monitor and manage infrastructure, like sensors and UAS
"Achieving our transportation priorities related to safety, economic strength, equity, and climate requires bold investment in new technologies and approaches,” said Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer at US DOT. “SMART supports a broad portfolio of projects across the country that will serve as beacons as we move toward a transportation system that is data-driven, values-based, and technology-enabled."
The second is the Federal Highway Administration’s $60 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program to promote advanced technologies to improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders and that can serve as national examples. As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ATTAIN-eligible projects will be evaluated on how they consider climate change and environmental justice impacts – including how they reduce transportation-related air pollution and address the disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities. In addition, projects are evaluated on their economic impact and potential to create jobs.
“As we level the playing field and improve the travel experience for everyone, we need to promote the use of state-of-the-art technologies, and the ATTAIN program does just that,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “The Biden-Harris Administration has taken a program with a track record of delivering innovation through the use of advanced technologies and made it truly forward-looking by refocusing its goals to include promoting equity and tackling climate change, in addition to creating jobs and delivering positive economic impact.”
The SMART Notice of Funding (NOFO) is open now and can be found at www.grants.gov. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, November 18, 2022. Eligible entities are state, local, and tribal governments and agencies. For more information visit https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SMART.
The ATTAIN NOFO can also be found at www.grants.gov. State departments of transportation, local governments, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and other eligible entities are invited to apply. Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 18, 2022. For more information, visit the FHWA web site.
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Washington Nationals EV Night! |
Thank You to Antoine M. Thompson, GWRCCC, Timothy Fitzgerald, Fleet Administrator for DC DPW and Paul Vitrano, SVP of GEM for your leadership and assistance with bringing electric vehicles to the Washington Nationals Youth Academy!
The students enjoyed the experience and they learned a lot about clean energy, transportation and environmental justice.
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A Day at Bowie State University |
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Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of GWRCCC was a speaker at Bowie State University on an Green Jobs panel. We must ensure that our students are aware of the vast career and employment opportunities in the green industry.
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GWRCCC would like your help as we gather input on our constituent’s level of interest for electric vehicles. We greatly appreciate your time to complete our 30 second survey which will help us better educate and advocate for electric vehicle infrastructure, programs and initiatives in the Greater Washington Region and the nation.
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The Maryland Smart Energy Communities (MSEC) Program is open to any incorporated town, city, municipal or county government in Maryland. The FY23 program has a total anticipated budget of $1.575 million, which will be available for projects involving energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation fuel-reduction. The application deadline is due November 15, 2022.
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Grants will cover up to 50% of total eligible project costs up to $5 million to help owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities convert to higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. Applications must be submitted by November 21st, 2022. To learn more, visit the HBIIP webpage to sign up for upcoming webinars and to submit your application.
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This Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) program provides financial assistance for the purchase of new and converted alternative fueled fleet vehicles registered in the state of Maryland. The closing date for this program is November 22, 2022.
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This Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) program provides technical assistance to state and local government entities for solar site surveys and to conduct preliminary development of solar projects. This is a non-competitive program available on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2023.
Click here for more information.
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DOE announced its intent to issue a funding opportunity that will drive innovation leading to economy-wide decarbonization, increased sustainability, and economic competitiveness. This proposed funding opportunity is expected to include topics that will support DOE priorities to invest in the next-generation materials and manufacturing technologies needed to support manufacturing competitiveness.
DOE announced its intent to provide $35 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance tidal and river current energy systems. The potential funding opportunity would support the development of a tidal or river-current site, as well as in-water demonstration of at least one tidal energy system.
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Thank You for Supporting
GWRCCC's 2022 Annual Conference, Meeting and Awards Luncheon!
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The verdict is in! The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) 2022 Annual Conference, Meeting, and Award Luncheon was an unparalleled success!
The awesome turnout in our nation’s capital, Washington DC, not only represented members and leaders from across the nation, but also our numerous partners, potential partners, supporters, and invited guests.
So much amazing information, many smiles, and palpable enthusiasm was shared as we learned, connected, discussed, reflected, strategized, and celebrated the unprecedented work being done to advance affordable, domestic transportation fuels, energy efficient mobility systems, and other fuel-saving technologies and practices in the Greater Washington DC Area!
I was honored and awestruck by the exceptional planning and execution of this event! We had a robust agenda which included speaker roster of highly sought-after subject matter experts, leaders and movers and shakers that drew attendees from all sectors of the clean space/clean cities industry. I was also grateful that we were able to recognize and celebrate all the amazing award winners who are undeniable “change agents” in their specific areas.
Much progress has been made by way of funding and focus on infrastructure and now is the time to capitalize! I’m looking forward to all the ground-breaking, phenomenal outcomes that will be birthed out of this event and all of the recent activity nationally. I’m entrusting every attendee to continue engaging in discussions and implementing initiatives to foster economic, environmental, and energy security!
If you’re not a member, I encourage you to join today. Our members receive access to crucial resources, funding opportunities, networking events, and a host of other benefits to assist your fleet’s and/or organization’s move to cleaner, more cost-effective fuels and vehicle technologies! Thank you again for all your hard work and for your attendance! Let’s continue to work together to promote the use of clean fuels and improved air quality!
Click here to view the Souvenir Journal.
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Sponsorship Opportunities! |
GWRCCC is seeking your help and support. Click here to review the Sponsorship Opportunities. |
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Fleet Forward Conference
Nov. 9–11, 2022
Santa Clara, CA
The Fleet Forward Conference is designed to deliver fleets solutions on electrification, connected vehicles, autonomous technology, last-mile mobility, IoT, shared mobility, Fleet Management as a Service, next-generation telematics, and more.
The 2022 event will feature a new safety track and an expanded Ride and Drive—attendees will have multiple opportunities to drive electric vehicles, mingle with product experts, and experience new technologies behind the wheel in a large outdoor interactive space.
Register using the discount code FFCGOVT23 for a $200 discount off the standard fleet manager conference pass. Early bird rates are good through Oct. 6, 2022, saving you an additional $100. This discount is for coalition coordinators, co-coordinators, and staff only. Please do not share with stakeholders.
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Laura Neuman has held public office and was a CEO and company-builder in the private sector, ranging from venture-backed startups establishing national organizations. She has mentored, consulted, or evaluated hundreds of early-stage startup companies. Laura's most notable achievement in business was to build the technology startup Matrics. She raised $17 million in venture capital and sold the company for $230 million. However, to achieve this success, Laura had to first overcome extraordinary challenges, including growing up in poverty and dropping out of high school. Please join us to learn why Laura chose entrepreneurship and what lessons she learned along the way.
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How can the private sector lead the decarbonization of the global economy? Sustainable business practices have historically come at a cost – challenging market competitiveness and profitability. As new science and data emerge on rapidly accelerating climate threats, future competitiveness will be dictated by business leaders who rapidly pivot to balance economic and environmental goals. Emerging technologies across all industries are making it possible for businesses to model for sustainability while maintaining, if not growing, market positioning.
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Midwest Green Transportation Forum and Expo
Nov. 15–16, 2022
Columbus, OH
The 2022 Midwest Green Transportation (MWGT) Forum & Expo, hosted by Clean Fuels Ohio, is combining with the Ohio Energy Conference (OEC). Tickets previously purchased for the transportation forum will be honored at OEC. MWGT is a fuel and technology inclusive event for fleets, industry members, policy advocates, and more. Contact Kristy Ramey for more information.
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Monthly CONNECTpreneur Forums are the world’s largest investor pitch events mashing up 500+ top founders, angels, CXOs, VCs, & business leaders for a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship featuring awesome networking, news making speakers, and a showcase of 10-12 exciting companies.
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Join Mtech Ventures for short pitches from three early-stage startups that are commercializing cutting-edge technologies at the University of Maryland. Startups will be pitching for funding, specific business support, and introductions. If you are an investor, a business professional in a related industry, or an entrepreneur yourself, please RSVP to attend.
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November 16, 2022, at 1 PM EST/12 PM CT
The Office of Minority Programs in the Office of Economic Impact & Diversity at the US Department of Energy and our partner Argonne National Labs cordially invites you to a live Awareness, Interest, and Access technical assistance webinar on 16 November 2022 @ 1:00pm - 2:30 pm EST/12–1:30 PM CT. Register here to learn and collaborate on how to access upcoming educational and workforce opportunities, along with partnerships for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Argonne National Labs 2022 for Chain Reaction Innovation applications close on 30 November 2022. Be sure to tune in for direct communication with the lab for small group training sessions within different breakout rooms where attendees can ask and receive answers and resources to questions in real time.
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Justice 40 Initiative Webinar
November 17, 2022
The purpose of this webinar is to provide an overview of Justice40 and what the initiative means for DOT. DOT leadership will provide opening remarks followed by a presentation that will outline Justice40 implementation and how it effects DOT’s programs. The session will conclude with a Q & A session; questions can be submitted at the time of registration via Zoom or emailed to Justice40@dot.gov in advance of the webinar.
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Clean Fuels Conference
Jan. 23–26, 2023
Tampa, FL
Registration is open for the Clean Fuels Conference (formerly the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo). Clean Fuels partnered with Chevron Renewable Energy Group to provide a limited number of $1,000 travel stipends to Clean Cities directors to offset travel and registration expenses. To apply, submit a brief application by November 18. Those selected will be asked to register for the discounted rate of $250 (non-refundable) to accept.
If any stipends remain after the deadline, Clean Fuels will open applications to additional coalition staff. Directors or approved coalition staff who are not selected or who miss the deadline can still attend for a reduced rate of $250 using a special code. Contact Kevin Herdler or Jenna Higgins Rose with questions.
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Consider joining our thriving organization!
For more information, scan or click on the QR Code below.
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