Chicago Area Clean Cities (CACC) coalition is a voluntary organization dedicated to encouraging the use of clean fuels and clean vehicle technologies in the Chicago metropolitan area. Clean fuels and clean vehicle technologies (such as hybrids, idle reduction and advanced fuel economy strategies) help improve air quality and reduce dependence on foreign oil. CACC members represent government, businesses, educational and research institutions, fuel providers, utilities and environmental organizations.

Initial designation as a coalition

CACC is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program. CACC is one of more than eighty Clean Cities coalitions across the country that participate in this program. CACC received its designation as a Clean Cities coalition in 1994 -- the tenth coalition nationwide to do so.

CACC's current bylaws can be viewed here (PDF).

Historical activity reports

Despite being dependent on the volunteerism of participants from its membership, CACC has a history of being a very active coalition, holding education events, applying for and distributing grants on a regional basis and facilitating personal connections throughout the local alternative-fuel fleet and industry population. Click below to view any one of the recent any CACC activity reports:

• 2003 Activity Report - view PDF
• 2004 Activity Report - view PDF
• 2005 Activity Report - view PDF
• 2006 Activity Report - view PDF
• 2007 Activity Report - view PDF
• 2008 Activity Report - view PDF
• 2009 Activity Report - view PDF
• 2010 Activity Report - Not available
  

Objectives

CACC's goal of encouraging the use of clean fuels and clean fuel vehicles in the Chicago metropolitan area is achieved through the following objectives:

• Coordinate efforts to obtain funding to implement clean fuel and petroleum displacement projects;
• Initiate and support legislation and programs that effectively promote clean fuels, clean fuel vehicles, idle reduction, enhanced fuel economy and other clean technologies;
• Develop fueling infrastructure in the Chicago metropolitan area to support a diverse clean fuel market;
• Educate the public and regional fleet operators about the operation and benefits of clean fuels, clean fuel vehicles, idle reduction technologies and hybrid-electric vehicles;
• Incorporate as many clean fuel vehicles as possible in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Lake Michigan Clean Cities Consortium

In addition to collaborating with Clean Cities coalitions around the country and with regional and national U.S. Department of Energy program leadership, CACC works especially closely with the two other coalitions in the loosely constituted Lake Michigan Clean Cities Consortium. To our north, Wisconsin Clean Cities Southeast Area, and to our southeast, South Shore Clean Cities, are CACC's steady partners in educational events and special conferences. If you find yourself in the Milwaukee area or in northwest Indiana, we encourage you to visit the other members of our consortium.