The Electric Transit Vehicle Institute (ETVI), a Chattanooga-based nonprofit organization, has become a major stakeholder in the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition. ETVI has pledged to provide the Coalition with $20,000 in funding and $10,000 in in-kind marketing and education outreach support. Representative Zach Wamp, TN 3rd District, announced ETVI?s support of the Clean Fuels group at a meeting of Leadership Chattanooga in the Bluff View Renaissance Commons on December 12.

"ETVI's support for the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition shows that people in Chattanooga are committed to reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil, improving air quality in east Tennessee, and achieving environmental sustainability in our region," Congressman Wamp said.

Based at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition (ETCFC) promotes the use of clean alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs). The Coalition?s stakeholders/partners include county and city officials, businesses and organizations in a geographic corridor that extends from the tri-cities area to Chattanooga. The ETCFC encourages the purchase and use of alternative-fuel vehicles in local fleets, advances the AFV legislative agenda, and is working to attain a Department of Energy Clean Cities designation in late 2003. To be designated a "Clean City," east Tennessee must achieve a number of milestones in its use of alternative fuels and continue to enhance local environmental quality. There are currently more than 80 designated Clean Cities in the United States, but none in Tennessee.

ETVI is a private, nonprofit organization, which promotes the advancement of electric, hybrid-electric and other clean transportation technologies that encourage a healthy environment and foster U.S. energy independence. In January 2003, ETVI will expand its mission to include all alternative-fuel technologies, becoming the Advanced Transportation Technology Institute. It will continue to educate the public about alternative fuels, help transit systems implement clean fleets, and coordinate clean vehicle demonstrations throughout North America. ETVI works closely with the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), and is developing transit projects with Louisville, Knoxville, Indianapolis, Miami Beach and other cities.