The Portland Clean Cities Coalition was formed in 1994 by the State of Oregon, City of Portland, Tri-Met, Portland General Electric, Northwest Natural Gas, Pacific Power and ten other public agencies and private companies. The purpose of forming the Coalition was to generate ideas and solutions relating to environmental protection by promoting the use of alternative fuels. These agencies and companies recognized that a healthy environment for Alternative Fuel Vehicles would take regional cooperation between a wide variety of public and private entities.

The Portland Clean Cities Coalition was re-designated as the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, Inc. (CWCCC) in 1999. The Coalition was incorporated as a sub-chapter 501 (c) 3, of the National Clean Cities Coalition, Inc. in 2000.

The CWCCC is a private sector/public agency joint effort focused to commercialize targeted alternative motor fuels in order to achieve certain public policy goals. For the current fiscal year, nearly 50 signatory members represent federal, state, county and municipal government, and private businesses and industries. Within the CWCCC each member makes a significant commitment to fulfill goals consistent with the missions and goals of the Coalition and the U.S. Department of Energy.