APPLIED RESEARCH CENTER OF ALABAMA

Alternative fuels:the center provided office space to and remained active in the management and operation of the alabama clean fuels coalition, inc. (acfc), a participant in the u.s. Department of energy's clean cities program. This program promotes the use of alternative fuels (af) and alternative fueled vehicles (afv) to expand the market, create job opportunities, improve air quality, and to reduce dependence of foreign sources of energy. Acfc was founded in 2002 as an alabama nonprofit corporation. Acfc and its members and stakeholders worked to provide public and private individuals and entities with information on the benefits of afvs and to identify and implement afv uses and alternative fuel infrastructure projects. Acfc programs and activities laid the foundation for additional alternative fuel infrastructure projects and increased the availability of cleaner burning fuels to the public in alabama during calendar year 2024 and beyond. Increasing availability of these fuels will improve air quality and provide for and support economic development and expansion. In addition, other potential projects were identified for future funding and/or technical assistance. Acfc also led an effort to assist the state in developing a statewide electric vehicle (ev) infrastructure plan. This plan was used by the state to determine priorities and criteria needed to develop a statewide grant program to install ev chargers around the state. These programs and activities serve to lessen the burdens of government and also further a charitable purpose by improving the environment, which promotes social welfare.