The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program was created to advances the nation’s economic, environmental and energy security by supporting local actions to reduce petroleum use in transportation. The United States relies heavily on foreign oil to power its transportation sector. Our country imported about 45% of the petroleum it consumed in 2011, and about two-thirds of these imports came from outside North America, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Because transportation accounts for about 71% of U.S. petroleum consumption, reducing our dependence on petroleum-based fuels in this sector supports our economy and our energy security. However increased economic and energy security aren’t the only benefits of reducing petroleum use in transportation. Gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles are major sources of greenhouse gases, smog-forming compounds, particulate matter, and other air pollutants. Widespread use of alternative fuels and advanced vehicles could greatly reduce the emissions that impact our air quality and public health. Nationally, nearly 13,000 stakeholders contribute to Clean Cities’ goals and accomplishments through participation in nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions across the country, including one in Pittsburgh that covers our region. Private companies, fuel suppliers, local governments, vehicle manufacturers, national laboratories, government agencies, and other organizations join together under Clean Cities to implement alternative-transportation solutions in their communities. Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities works to accomplish these goals by 1. Building and supporting the infrastructure needed for a strong alternative fuel and alternative
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vehicle market in Western Pennsylvania, 2. Serving the needs of its member organizations through education, business consulting, development and grant writing and management of Federal and State-funded projects, and 3. Serving as the designated regional organization for all U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities initiatives, including project funding. Clean Cities actually dates back to the Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. These laws, which encouraged the production and use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and the reduction of vehicle emissions, led to the creation of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) in 1991. The AFDC’s mission was to collect, analyze, and distribute data used to evaluate alternative fuels and vehicles. In 1992, the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) required certain vehicle fleets to acquire AFVs. Subsequently, DOE created Clean Cities in 1993 to provide informational, technical, and financial resources to EPAct-regulated fleets and voluntary adopters of alternative fuels and vehicles. The AFDC became and continues to be the clearinghouse for these resources. Its sister website, FuelEconomy.gov, provides consumers with information on emissions, fuel economy, and energy impact of all vehicles, based on vehicle data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The site also provides tips for drivers on maximizing fuel efficiency. FuelEconomy.gov was created in response to DOE’s requirement under the 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act to publish and distribute an annual fuel economy guide for consumers. To learn more about our Pittsburg Region Clean Cities, go to www. pgh-cleancities.org.
WE’VE MOVED! We finally made our move! You can now find the offices of Direct Results, Home of the GreeneSaver and Custom Graphics, at 185 Wade Street, Waynesburg. Our new home is in the building that previously housed John Howard Oldsmobile, and was originally Nickles Bakery, on the east side of Waynesburg (Morrisville). After purchasing the building last fall, we began renovations that were completed this spring and the move is complete. Very easy to find, we’re right next to Auto Zone, sort of behind Scotty’s Pizza…easy in and out with plenty of parking. We’ve also gone from about 2,500 square feet to more than 10,000 square feet of space that is now filled with new machinery and equipment to meet your needs better than ever! Signs & Vinyl Our full service Custom Graphics sign & vinyl shop will produce your banners, signage, decals, and more. We now have an interior shop where our experts can install graphics and wraps on all vehicles and trucks in any weather, rain or shine – bring it on! Screen Printing & Embroidery With new automated equipment and skilled personnel, we’ve increased production rates by over 600%! Tees, polos, hats, shirts, jackets, uniforms and more…our huge shop is now humming with the production of custom apparel for area businesses and organizations. Promotional Products With annual sales exceeding 1.5 million, Direct Results is easily the “go to” source for custom printed promotional products. Fresh ideas, creative design, innovative products and marketing strategies specifically for your business – we do it better. GreeneSaver Now with convenient parking and easy in & out, you can stop to pick up a GreeneSaver, drop off your entry forms and share your stories and pictures more easily than ever. Come visit our bright new office space and you’ll see! Direct Results BSP, Inc. is very proud to have begun ten short years ago in Waynesburg, three women with an idea and a lot of determination. Today we are a successful companying employing nearly 20 talented people and meeting the advertising and marketing needs of businesses throughout the region. Our new space is indicative of that growth, and our move necessary to meet the demands of our clients. We still have a little fine tuning and some final touches to do, but we welcome you now to our new location. Stop by and say hi!
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