Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition
Through the years
2014
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2024
2014
The Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition has been advocating for alternative fuels since 2012 and later received federal designation in 2014. That year, we held webinars on Florida’s Natural Gas Fuel Fleet Vehicle Rebate Program and collaborated with other Florida coalitions to address barriers and opportunities for gaseous fuels, plug-in electrics, and biofuels. Our spring meeting at Gator Ford featured presentations on adopting natural gas and propane for vehicles from fleet managers, station builders, service providers, and fuel economists.
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“It is difficult to believe that it has been 10 years since the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition was federally designated by the United States Department of Energy. Having been there at the inception of the TBCCC, I commend the vision of the founding members and leaders of the Coalition and express my gratitude to all of those members and staff who have worked diligently to continue to enhance the energy and environmental security of our
Tampa Bay region.”
Stephen Reich
Former Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition Director
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Stephen Reich receiving designation plaque from Linda Bluestein (DOE) at the TBCCC Designation Ceremony.
2015
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Steve Reich presenting at the 2015 Alternative Fuels Exposition, Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension Office.
In 2015, TBCCC organized the Tampa Bay area's first propane fuel event to educate coalition members and industry stakeholders on topics like propane school bus success, vehicle conversion, and propane autogas. This year we also participated in Florida's Alternative Fuel Vehicles Expo and Oldsmar’s Drive Electric Week. The coalition also held a CNG and propane event at Bright House Field in Clearwater. where we provided information on available opportunities, including Florida Energy Office initiatives, EPA School Bus Rebates, and First Responder Alternative Fuel Training.
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Margaret Rush (EPCHC) and Jana Huss at Tampa Bay Propane event, City of Tampa Fleet Maintenance Facility.
2016
In 2016, TBCCC started the year off by celebrating the opening of a CNG station in Tampa with a fueling demonstration and presentation. This year's spring meeting at the Tampa International Airport featured a national workplace charging initiative and discussions on increasing EV awareness. Later, we collaborated with the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority and the National Biodiesel Board for a workshop on biodiesel's cost and emission benefits. The coalition also hosted a workshop with TECO Energy to introduce the Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge. which promoted the use of plug-in electric vehicles.
“EPC is excited to congratulate the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition (TBCCC) on your remarkable 10-year anniversary! We are proud to partner with the Coalition in promoting alternative and renewable transportation fuels, implementing emissions reduction strategies, and advancing energy-saving technologies. Your efforts are paving the way for a cleaner environment and a brighter future for generations to come. Here's to many more years of impactful work and continued success
in the Tampa Bay area!”
Janet Lorton
Executive Director at EPC of Hillsborough County, FL
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Workplace Charging Challenge Workshop
2017
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Austin Sipiora and former TBCCC intern Leah Mejias tabling
at USF event.
In 2017, TBCCC strengthened its outreach efforts through collaborations and several public events. In partnership with Gator Ford, Florida Transportation Systems, and Alliance AutoGas, TBCCC celebrated National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, a biennial outreach event dedicated to educating the public on the importance of advanced technology vehicles and promoting the adoption of alternative fuels. TBCCC also participated in several public events such as EPC’s annual Clean Air Fair and USF's Bull Market to educate others about Clean Cities and Communities and our mission.
Alternative fuel vehicle display at Odyssey event, Gator Ford.
2018
In 2018, TBCCC participated in several public events to promote clean energy practices. We celebrated National Drive Electric Week by partnering with Hillsborough County and the Environmental Protection Commission to host a Drive Electric Celebration. The coalition also participated as a vendor at the National Drive Electric Week event in Sarasota. Additionally, TBCCC joined the Pinellas County Department of Solid Waste’s Eco Fun Festival to educate the public about its initiatives and promote sustainable practices.
“Clearwater Gas System has been an active and supportive member of the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition for many years. And we applaud their ongoing efforts in being the voice for many alternative fuel communities, like Clearwater Gas System. We say Happy 10th Anniversary and thank you for your unwavering commitment to continually promote alternative fuels as a reliable
and dependable energy source."
Brian Langille
Executive Director at Clearwater Gas System
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Kenneth Hernandez (TECO), Steve Reich, Alexander Kolpakov, Jerry Campbell (EPCHC), and Michelle Jenkins (EPCHC) receiving 2018 Future of the Region Award.
2019
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Alexander Kolpakov, Nicholas Goulbourne (HART), and Horacio Cervantes (TECO) at HART CNG information session and site visit.
In 2019, TBCCC partnered with Duke Energy to unveil six new EV charging stations at USF St. Petersburg as part of the Park & Plug Program and exhibited at the first USF Transportation Day to promote sustainable transportation. The coalition also collaborated with Tampa International Airport (TPA) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on a fuel resilience workshop for local stakeholders and co-hosted a session with Southeast Florida Clean Cities on automated, connected, electric, and shared (ACES) technologies at the Florida Automated Vehicles Summit. In partnership with HART and People's Gas, TBCCC also hosted a CNG fueling information session and toured the HART CNG Fueling Facility.
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Former intern Alicia Kerr engaging with students at USF Bull Market.
2020 - 2021
In 2020, TBCCC participated in the Love Hillsborough event to promote local sustainability, and collaborated with South Shore Clean Cities and others to host a webinar on the Blue Bird Type C Vision electric school bus. We also partnered with Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) for a virtual tour showcasing electric buses and charging systems. In 2021, TBCCC held a workshop on EV charging infrastructure for local stakeholders and collaborated with Clearwater Gas System for a virtual tour of a public CNG station with a live Q&A.
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“Tampa Bay Clean Cities is truly one of the leaders in the region, convening a diverse group of stakeholders to come together and deploy affordable, efficient, and clean transportation solutions. TBCCC is making those critical connections with local partners to drive clean transportation forward in the region—from hosting events, working one-on-one with fleets and other stakeholders, and identifying key local priorities to solve those problems. I know TBCCC will continue to champion alternative fuels and clean transportation options for the next ten years and beyond!”
Austin Sipiora Willman
First TBCCC Intern & Former TBCCC Co-director
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Austin Sipiora, staff of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, and USF students at 2020 USF Transportation Day.
2022
Lisa Staes (Associate Director of TBCCC host organization CUTR), Austin Sipiora, and Alexander Kolpakov meeting with Department of Energy Secretary, Jennifer Granholm.
In 2022, TBCCC collaborated with the City of Largo, Pinellas County Schools, and Florida Transportation Systems to promote electric school buses through a demo event in Largo Central Park. The coalition formed the Florida Gulf Coast Electric School Bus Working Group with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to support school districts adopting electric bus technologies. In Ocala, TBCCC shared insights on electric refuse trucks during a fleet facility visit. We also hosted a webinar on renewable natural gas with Waga Energy and Southeast Florida Clean Cities. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor met with TBCCC leaders at USF’s Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) to discuss regional initiatives.
City of Largo Electric School Bus Demonstration
2023
In 2023, the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition celebrated Earth Day at Tampa International Airport handing out informational flyers and giveaways to the public. During this year we also partnered with Bollinger Motors and TECO to host a Medium-Duty EV Truck Webinar, to provide an overview of the EV market and share insights into forging partnerships with local utility companies when forming electrified fleets.
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“Tampa International Airport has been a proud partner and member of the Tampa Bay Clean Cities coalition for many years. The TBCCC has become known as a primary driver of alternative fuel tracking and research for the Tampa Bay area, and has made a tremendous impact in encouraging this ever-evolving industry. The benefit of this partnership can be seen through much of TPA’s transition to alternative fuels on campus, as well as the adoption of alternative fuels throughout our region. We are thankful for TBCCC’s work, and look forward to partnering
for another 10 years!”
Eric Caplan
Sustainability and Resilience Director at Tampa International Airport
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Jana Huss and former TBCCC intern Maeghan Eaton at Tampa International Airport’s Earth Day event.
2024
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2024 EPC Clean Air Fair
2024 was full of partner collaborations and participation in local events for the coalition. We worked with the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition and Argonne National Laboratory to organize, promote, and host fleet training on the application of the AFLEET tool. TBCCC also partnered with Bollinger Motors to offer a ride-and-drive event for their Class 4 truck at the SunTrax Test Facility. Alongside these partnerships, the coalition also participated in several annual events such as Tampa International Airport’s Earth Day and the EPC Clean Air Fair.
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Alexander Kolpakov at Bollinger Ride & Drive event.