The CWCCC is committed to establishing a self-sustaining, cost effective alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure to achieve the Coalition's public policy goals. This infrastructure includes significant use and availability of alternative fuel vehicles, refueling sites, associated services, and information.

CWCCC strives to use the combined purchase power of state, local, and federal governments along with that of the private sector to purchase and operate AFVs in a manner that makes alternative fuels production and distribution economically viable.

CWCCC is committed to fuel-neutral market development and support. This fuel-neutral objective does not, however, preclude the necessary competition and inherent growth engendered by an open market atmosphere.

By accepting its Clean Cities designation, CWCCC leveraged the ongoing commitments already established along the Interstate 5 Corridor in Oregon and southwestern Washington. The development of this Corridor over the past five years has solidified the goals and objectives of this region.

To this end, CWCCC has developed a five-year Strategic Development Plan. The Plan has been designed to not only advance the goals of CWCCC, but also support and strengthen the Interstate 5 Corridor effort.

The Coalition is dedicated to advancing the goals of the National Clean Cities program:

• Reduce dependence on non-domestically produced transportation fuels
• Reduce the emissions of mobile source air pollutants (CO, CO2 , NOx and particulate matter) as specified in the Clean Air Act and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
• Educate the public on the attributes of alternative fuels and AFVs
• Encourage the development of a public AFV infrastructure

In addition, the Coalition seeks to:

• Support improved fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction
• Encourage the purchase and use of energy-efficient AFVs
• Expand local refueling infrastructure
• Promote maximizing efficient alternative fuel energy use
• Displace conventional transportation fuels with domestically, and preferably locally, based fuels
• Assist regulated fleets
• Increase public awareness
• Provide regional leadership

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Cities program is a voluntary, locally based government/industry partnership mobilizing local stakeholders to expand the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel by accelerating the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles and building local AFV refueling infrastructure.

The Clean Cities program coordinates the activities of both private and public sector proponents of AFVs by providing them with a forum to discover their shared interests, investigate opportunities for joint-projects, manage scarce resources, and promote the benefits of AFVs in their communities.

The hallmark of Clean Cities is the local planning process that reflects a community's choice for alternative fuels and the subsequent ongoing commitment. By encouraging AFV use, the Clean Cities program will help achieve energy security and environmental quality goals at both the national and local levels.

Specific Clean Cities goals are: creating new jobs and commercial opportunities, facilitating alternative fuel vehicle production and conversion, expanding local refueling infrastructure, developing "Clean Corridors", increasing public awareness, advancing clean air objectives, and supporting regulated fleets.

The Clean Cities program thrives on strong local initiatives and a flexible approach to the challenge of building alternative fuels markets, providing participants options to address problems unique to their cities, and developing partnerships to overcome these problems.

Clean Cities works directly with local businesses and governments, guiding them through each step in the process of building the foundation for a vibrant local organization, including setting goals, building coalitions, and securing commitments.

The transportation sector has an enormous impact on our economy, our national energy security, and our environment. Moreover, emissions from vehicles are the single largest contributor to air pollution in our cities, making our air unhealthy to breathe and increasing our health care costs. Clean Cities is proof we can work together to effect change by expanding the use of domestic, alternative fuels.