GWRCCC Monthly Update In the D.C. Area
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A Message from the Executive Director
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As the summer comes to an end, the students return to school and college and the leaves begin to turn, GWRCCC is on the move making a difference for you, our region, and country. In August GWRCCC supported multiple applications for the U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus Grant application, to help our youth travel to school on buses with cleaner air. Additionally, GWRCCC supported and participated in over 12 applications for funding with U.S. DOE and other agencies. We understand the importance of this transformative moment in clean and sustainable energy and transportation and are excited to support these funding opportunities.
Additional advocacy this summer included submitting recommendations to the DC City Council on ways they can accelerate public EV charging access at District buildings, train and transit stations. GWRCCC is also working to increase the number of biodiesel vehicles in DC, Maryland and Virginia. This Fall, GWRCCC will host a series of virtual and in-person forums and meetings on expanding access to biodiesel at local public and private fueling stations. Also, congratulations to SESI, Chevron/REG and Prince George’s County. Our collective efforts helped PGC Public Works and Transportation secure a Maryland grant for biodiesel in county vehicles. We are only a few weeks away from the GWRCCC Annual Conference which will be held October 3 (Pre-Conference) & October 4 (Conference) in Largo, Maryland (about 30 minutes from Downtown DC). The conference will include workshops, signature speakers, a display of alternative vehicles, exhibitors, an awards luncheon, a Happy Hour, and provide training, business, and networking opportunities. Buy your tickets, souvenir journal ads (buy 30th Anniversary of Clean Cities ad) and call the office at 202-671-1580 about sponsorship opportunities! Finally, GWRCCC proudly supports Hispanic Heritage Month, Yom Kippur, and Drive Electric Week. Sincerely, Antoine M. Thompson Executive Director |
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A Message from the Executive Director
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Registration is open! The Annual GWRCCC Conference will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Homewood Suites in Largo, Maryland. Highlights for the conference will include the awards luncheon, keynote speakers, alternative fuel vehicle display, exhibitors, souvenir journal, green procurement showcase, over ten impactful panels, and lots of business and networking opportunities.
Register Today! Call me or Kim Harden at the office for information on becoming a sponsor for the conference. Breaking News! GWRCCC will be expanding to Baltimore City and County, Maryland to provide outreach and education services. The clean transportation and energy in Baltimore require immediate attention, and GWRCCC looks forward to organizing and working with industry and community stakeholders and partnering with Maryland Clean Cities to make a difference and a brighter future for all. I would like to thank Gina Carvana and Insperity for their generosity and kindness in sponsoring the GWRCCC July Happy Hour at Moxy in Washington, DC. Thank you to Hon. Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland for appointing me to the Maryland Commission on Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs. I am looking forward to the opportunity to volunteer and serve the residents of Maryland. Also, we pause to celebrate International Biodiesel Day on August 10. GWRCCC strongly supports the expansion of biodiesel stations and funding to help replace or retrofit the tens of thousands of diesel-powered vehicles in the region and across the country. Sincerely, Antoine M. Thompson Executive Director |
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A Message from the Executive Director
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GWRCCC continues to move forward with new and exciting ways to support and collaborate with our members, partners, and sponsors. Thank you to our longtime Board Member, Pedro Leyton of Parts Authority for being a major sponsor of the GWRCCC Ron Flowers Golf Tournament. Other major significant sponsors of the golf tournament were Washington Gas and the Clean Fuels Alliance America!
Congratulations to K. Neal Bus and Truck Center on winning the top prize two years in a row at the golf tournament. Here we grow again! GWRCCC is on the winning team for new grants for Drive Electric USA and for workforce development from the U.S. DOE Vehicle Technology Office. GWRCCC was selected by NREL to collaborate with Montgomery County on the C2C program. If your organization, company, or government entity needs help or assistance applying for these opportunities or would like us to become a part of your project team, please feel free to contact the GWRCCC Office at (202) 671-1580. We would like to welcome all our new members, especially our gold, silver, and bronze members which can be found on GWRCCC’s website (www.GWRCCC.org). Happy Father’s Day, Happy Juneteenth, Happy Pride, and Happy Caribbean American Heritage Month. Sincerely, Antoine M. Thompson Executive Director |
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A Message from the Executive Director
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I would like to start by saying THANK YOU to the GWRCCC staff, consultants, interns, Board Members, members, volunteers, sponsors, stakeholders, speakers, and the public for attending our various events for Green Week and Earth Day. Each of you contributed to the success of the GWRCCC’s activities in April.
GWRCCC is hosting the Ronald Flowers Charity Golf Tournament, on Thursday, May 18th at Lake Presidential Golf Course. Part of the proceeds will be for college scholarships for area students. Mr. Flowers served as the first Executive Director of GWRCCC and dedicated many years of his life to alternative fuels and clean energy.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the upcoming GWRCCC Annual Conference and Green Building, Business, Transportation and Career Expo in October 2023, in Washington, DC. There will be plenty of opportunities for branding and market exposure for your business or organization.
As we continue to make an impact, it’s essential that more of our readers become a member and/or a financial supporter of GWRCCC at www.gwrccc.org/membership or www.gwrccc.org/donations.
Sincerely, Antoine M. Thompson Executive Director |
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Message from the Executive Director
I hope that you are enjoying your summer. The extremely hot temperatures have placed enormous amounts of pressure on the reliability of electric grids in some communities. Demand on these grids will continue to stress electricity infrastructure as more Americans transition to electric-powered vehicles, an issue exacerbated by the negative impacts of Climate Change and Global Warming.
Additionally, Americans have experienced abnormally high gasoline prices this summer, which has generated heightened interest and awareness in alternative fuels and related technologies. The U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Energy and numerous federal, state, and local government and agencies have funding via grants, loans, consulting, and community planning dollars to help reduce pollution, and bring new vehicles and technologies to the marketplace. We have listed some funding opportunities in this newsletter.
I strongly encourage your company or organization to collaborate with GWRCCC on business and funding opportunities (we provide technical support, grant writing, project management, and community engagement services and letters of support).
On another note, GWRCCC will hold our Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at the National Press Club. You will not want to miss this event! You can register Today at: https://gwrccc.org/event/gwrccc-conference-luncheon/.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
Executive Director
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Message from our Executive Director
I would like to thank everyone that attended the GWRCCC Virtual Spring Policy Series. We covered topics related to funding for fleets, climate solutions, equity, and the impact of vehicle electrification on the grid in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
GWRCCC hosted a ride and drive and demo of an electric school bus event at DC Public Schools. The U.S. EPA just announced $500 million for its Clean School Bus Program.
In May, Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Executive issued Executive Order No. 6 on Climate Goals. Many of the local, District and state governments and related agencies are advancing climate and sustainability laws, policies and regulations that will impact the public and private sectors.
GWRCCC hosted an EV Village at the DC DOT Open Streets and Anacostia BID.
Need letters of support or technical assistance for grant funding? GWRCCC often provides letters of support and technical assistance for members and stakeholders that apply for public and private sector grants and funding opportunities. We are available to partner on various grants or serve as a subrecipient too! We can help with your community engagement, grant reporting requirements and project management assistance as well.
We are in very challenging times as country. We pause to remember the lives ended- short to some of the mass shootings that happened in my hometown of Buffalo and in Texas. It is in these moments that we must provide caring, thoughtful, and strong leadership for families, businesses, and communities.
Lastly, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day and a Happy Juneteenth.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
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Message from the Executive Director
The first half of the year is completed, but we have 6 more months to make an impact locally, regionally, and nationally on the adoption of alternative fuels, climate solutions, clean energy and transportation jobs, and environmental equity and justice.
Over the next few months, we will focus on helping members and stakeholders secure public and private funding for projects and initiatives. We will host the GWRCCC Conference, Annual Meeting and Stakeholder Luncheon at the National Press Club on October 20th. GWRCCC will continue providing visionary leadership by adding our voice to key policy and industry related matters and disseminating educational resources to grow our movement for a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable America.
Lastly, thank you to the Parts Authority, EVHybridNoire, AutoFlex Fleet, and K Neal Truck and Bus Center for the sponsorship of the Annual GWRCCC Golf Tournament Fundraiser which was held in June.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
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Message from our Executive Director
On behalf of our Board, staff, and consultants, I would like to thank everyone that attended our events for Green Week 2022. GWRCCC hosted a panel on climate solutions, a Green Drinks Happy Hour, a meeting with the Biden-Harris Administration at the White House Eisenhower Office Building and participated in a community clean up. At GWRCCC, every day is Earth Day!
In May, GWRCCC will host a series of forums and webinars on local and state issues that impact clean energy and transportation. Additionally, on Thursday, May 5, at 11am we will host our quarterly Community & Industry Stakeholders Meeting to exchange ideas, increase engagement and advance our various priorities. Additionally, I am giving remarks on a diversity, equity and inclusion panel during the ACT Conference and Expo in Long Beach, California. Join GWRCCC for our Annual Golf Tournament on June 15, we still need golfers and sponsors! On a day that’s dedicated to fabulous mothers, I would like to give a heartfelt Happy Mother’s Day! Additionally, I would like to say thank you to those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country this Memorial Day.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
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Message from our Executive Director
At GWRCCC, we believe in green initiatives and going green 365 days year. On April 22, the nation and world will celebrate Earth Day. Our coalition will host events during our inaugural Green Week starting April 19, 2022, which will include a forum, demonstration and ride on an electric school bus, a Green Drinks and Earth Day Happy Hour, and a community clean up. We hope that you will join us! Please follow GWRCCC on social media for more details and check your email.
Beginning in May 2022, GWRCCC will host quarterly meetings with Community & Industry Stakeholders to exchange ideas, increase engagement and advance our various priorities. Additionally in May, GWRCCC will host our Spring Virtual Policy Forum Series, the topics will focus on local and state issues related to clean transportation, energy, and racial equity. Free EV Chargers for public use are available from GWRCCC and the Mid-Atlantic Electrification Project (MAEP). The chargers can be placed on public and private property provided they are easily accessible to the public. For more information, please email GWRCCC at info@gwrccc.org or iradorfman@gwrccc.org.
Lastly, there are several funding opportunities from the federal Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law that was passed into law in November 2021. There is funding for various alternative fuel projects and initiatives, roads, bridges, water and sewer construction, workforce development, community engagement and environmental justice. If your organization, company, or government entity needs help or assistance applying for these opportunities or would like us to become a part of your project team, please feel free to contact the GWRCCC Office at 202-671-1580.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
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Message from our Executive Director
This month GWRCCC pauses to recognize the accomplishments of women leaders in energy, transportation, and the environment, such as Hon. Jennifer Granholm, and Hon. Hazel O’Leary current and former Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Energy; Hon. Elizabeth Dole and the Hon. Elaine Chao, and Hon. Mary Peters former U.S. Secretaries of Transportation; and Hon. Carol Browner and Hon. Lisa Jackson, former Administrators of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In recognition of Women’s History Month, GWRCCC will host a webinar on Tuesday, March 22 at 11am to showcase the work Women Leaders in Alternative Fuels and Green Transportation are pioneering.
GWRCCC would like to thank everyone for attending our Opening Reception at the American Gas Association, especially Daniel Gage, President of NGVAmerica. Please look out for emails announcing GWRCCC events during Green Week, April 19-23, 2022.
I want to encourage our readers to complete our 30 second Electric Vehicle Survey, to become a member and financial supporter of GWRCCC at www.gwrccc.org/membership. You can also donate to GWRCCC and help us continue to do great things that impact communities across the region and country.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
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Message from our Executive Director
GWRCCC understands the importance and urgency of the current moment for combating climate change, and public and private sector investments in alternative fuels and renewable energy. Our Organization will continue to host workshops, provide technical assistance, educate, and train our members and the public, and engage in advocacy efforts that keeps us relevant locally, regionally, and nationally. We will also share with our members and stakeholders’ invaluable information on grant, funding, and business opportunities from the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law. GWRCCC is co-leading the Mid-Atlantic Electrification Program (MAEP) which focuses on installing over 200 chargers in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Additionally, GWRCCC is a partner on the Mid-Atlantic Electric School Bus Experience Program (MEEP), with a goal of accelerating the region to transition to electric school buses. We are partnering with the District of Columbia’s Department of Water and Sewer on a Diesel Emissions Reduction Action (DERA) Grant to purchase and retrofit vehicles, and address issues related to environmental justice and equity.
Thank you to the Renewable Energy Group (REG) for sponsoring me to attend the National Biodiesel Conference in Las Vegas. I had the opportunity to speak on two panels, learn more about key policy and economic issues effecting the biodiesel industry. Jill Hamilton, Board Chair of GWRCCC and an expert on biodiesel grants and policies, organized an equity panel that included Tim Fitzgerald, Fleet Manager for DC Water and Sewer and me. GWRCCC would like to thank John O’Donnell, President and CEO of the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association for extending his hospitality and allowing the Coalition to host multiple events at the Washington DC Auto Show. GWRCCC had in an exhibitor booth, and hosted 7 workshops, including a day that focused on Opportunities for Fleets Through the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill. Thank you to the GWRCCC Staff and consultants, and Board Member Luis MacDonald for helping to make the events a huge success.
Join us at the GWRCCC Opening Reception on February 9th! Follow GWRCCC on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Lastly, don’t forget to become a member of GWRCCC and/or to pay your dues this month.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson
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Meet GWRCCC’s Executive Director
Conservation and Co-Chair of the Senate Minority and Woman Business Enterprise Task Force. He authored the NYS MWBE Mentor/Protégé Law. He was a key architect of the Green Jobs/Green New York law. “The executive search for my successor produced some very qualified candidates but none provide the combination of executive, political and subject matter experience of Antoine Thompson. GWRCCC is most fortunate to have Antoine as its new Executive Director” stated Ira Dorfman, former Executive Director and current Senior Advisor to GWRCCC. “With the nation very focused on alternative fuels, green businesses, and green jobs, Antoine’s experience managing organizations, building coalitions, and leadership in government and advocacy is critically important to GWRCCC members and the clients, customers, and communities that they serve,” stated Anne Steckel, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of GWRCCC.
As Executive Director, Antoine will work closely with staff and the GWRCCC board increasing member and community engagement, growing investments in alternative fuels, technologies, and infrastructure for transportation by local, state, and the federal governments. He will also champion GWRCCC’s efforts or racial and gender equity in climate solutions, green businesses, and green jobs.
Sincerely,
Antoine M. Thompson