WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities program is accepting proposals for transportation-related projects in the U.S. National Parks that use renewable and alternative fuels, electric technologies, and other projects that reduce petroleum use and air pollution.

This program is a result of a 5-year, $5 million annually, agreement between the DOE and the National Parks Service (NPS) to fund transportation projects that involve the use of fuel- and emissions-reductions technologies and programs. In this program, national parks will partner with nearby cities involved in the Clean Cities Coalition to jointly develop and implement different “green” vehicle programs.

According to the Clean Cities website, National parks units and cities in the Clean Cities program can submit project ideas, but each park must work with one or more cities in the Clean Cities coalitions during project development. Initial submissions require a one-page proposal, with a more detailed proposal required if the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL, the organization vetting the applications), chooses that proposal.

A number of national parks are already working with the Clean Cities Coalition to use alternative fuel vehicles. Zion National Park is working with Utah Clean Cities to implement anti-idling practices and add hybrids and EVs to the fleet. Great Smoky Mountains National Park powers more than 50 vehicles with biodiesel, and uses around a dozen hybrid EVs and neighborhood EVs in the park’s fleet.

For details about what types of proposals will be considered, visit the DOE’s Clean Cities website

The site also features proposals from successful national parks projects, such as Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Mammoth Cave national parks.