Yellowstone - Teton
Clean Energy Coalition
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The Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition
was created in a ceremony at Old Faithful in
September, 2002 becoming one of some 90 coalitions around the USA designated by
the Department of Energy to address the U.S.’ dependence on imported crude oil
and help find solutions to the nation’s energy challenges. Yellowstone National
Park serves as the coalition’s cornerstone and highest profile stakeholder in
collaboration with gateway communities, other parks and agencies and the private
sector. One of the few truly rural Clean Cities programs, the Yellowstone-Teton
Clean Energy Coalition
encompasses
southwest Montana, eastern Idaho and western Wyoming.
The Clean Energy Coalition is a nonprofit corporation with a board of 12 directors and administered by a coordinator. More than 100 "stakeholders" participate in Clean Energy Coalition events ranging from email information sharing to periodic meetings and special events.
The Clean Cities program grew out of Department of Energy initiatives in response to Congress passing the 1992 Energy Policy Act signed by then-President George H.W. Bush. One of the Act’s goals is to reduce the amount of petroleum used by the transportation sector by promoting the use of alternative fuels and technologies such as ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas, propane and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The Act mandated that a portion of all vehicles purchased for state and federal government use be Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs), capable of burning one or more of the alternative fuels as well as gasoline.
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition Mission
The coalitions’ collective mission is to displace the use of petroleum in the
transportation sector, improve air quality through reduced harmful exhaust
emissions and increase U.S. energy security. Clean Cities advocates using
renewable fuels and advanced energy technologies, driving hybrid vehicles, and
reducing truck and bus idling practices. Yellowstone National Park is a pioneer
in the use of alternative fuel—especially biodiesel—and has acted as a prime
source of information for the public. Several million visitors annually are
exposed to the possibilities of alternative fuels, seeing them in use in park
vehicles and in stationary installations generating power and heating water.
The Clean Energy Coalition is introducing proven alternative fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel and natural gas to fleet managers, fuel distributors and the general public within its region of responsibility. A side benefit for this particular area is an improved agricultural economy.
Regional Transit
In recent
years discussion has focused on a Tour/Transit District in the region. The
District’s centerpiece is the distinctive "Yellow Bus" styled after the historic
touring buses that Yellowstone used in its early days. The antique styling
belies a modern, state-of-the-art vehicle burning low-or-non-polluting fuel. It
utilizes sophisticated onboard information systems for sightseers and transit
users, and allows for
jurisdictional sharing of the buses between the Park and its gateway
communities.
In The News, From National Biodiesel Bulletin, October 2, 2006:
 |
Yellowstone Celebrates More Than a Decade on Biodiesel |
 |
As winter approaches, one of the nation’s most prominent cold spots celebrates more than a decade of use of soy biodiesel year-round. Farmer-leaders recently joined U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Park Service and National Biodiesel Board (NBB) officials at the DOE Central Regional Clean Cities Workshop near Jackson, Wyo., to recognize the successful use of soy biodiesel and other biobased products in Yellowstone National Park, as well as Grand Teton and other national parks. "Yellowstone and Grand Teton Park are perfect examples of well-tested, practical uses for soy biodiesel blends year 'round," said Chuck Myers, United Soybean Board (USB) director and soybean farmer from Lyons, Nebraska. "The successful uses in these parks have yielded valuable information for other diesel users as well." Since 1990, the soybean checkoff program has sponsored research, development and promotion of soy biodiesel, and Yellowstone represented the first national park to use biodiesel. The park boasts over 300 pieces of machinery operating on soy biodiesel, the centerpieces being the park's well-known yellow buses and a 1995 Dodge pickup. Yellowstone's trademark yellow tour buses have evolved into a high tech, biodiesel-powered riding experience including on-board electronic and communications gear. The pickup has been running on 100 percent biodiesel for more than 10 years and 181,000 miles. This is no small feat, with an elevation of 6,241 ft., the mountainous region surrounding the park experiences a variety of extreme weather throughout the year. Ernie Oakes, Regional Clean Cities project manager, said that Yellowstone’s biodiesel use demonstrates the goals of Clean Cities well. "With the Clean Cities Program, we are working with community leaders to educate them on how they can implement programs to decrease the use of petroleum in their community," said Oakes. "Biodiesel blends have been a cornerstone of this program, specifically soy-based biodiesel produced in the United States." |
Historic Old Faithful Inn (top) and Lake
Yellowstone Hotel (above) date from 1890s. Lake Yellowstone Hotel has been
radically remodeled.
Modern "Yellow Bus" (above) retains the
flavor and spirit of the early Yellow Touring Bus (middle) that was popular
in the early years of Yellowstone. Modern bus is a high-tech, flexible fuel
or alternative fuel vehicle with sophisticated electronic and communications
gear to enhance rider experience while visiting Yellowstone.