On October 13, 2004 Clean Cities of Middle Tennessee Executive Director Dave Pelton and Jim Powell of the U.S. Department of Energy addressed the crowd at the middle Tennessee Designation Ceremony.

     The coalition's efforts after designation , accomplishing the goals outlined in the strategic program plan, are the key to strengthening the community's existing petroleum displacement technology markets.

     Clean Cities designation is not a rubber stamp denoting a city or community as “clean.” Designation is an event that recognizes a coalition that is working to further develop their existing alternative fuel market and develop the other Clean Cities petroleum reduction technologies by using the Clean Cities program framework and strategic planning process.

     The planning steps coalitions take prior to designation drive their activities after designation. Together, the activities of each coalition form a cohesive nationwide program dedicated to achieving the goals of each community and the goals of the Clean Cities Program.

     On August 19, 2003 a joint effort between Clean Cities of Middle Tennessee, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, Hollingsworth Oil Company and the Departments of Economic & Community Development Energy Division, General Services, Environment & Conservation and Transportation opened Tennessee 's first public access alternative fueling site.

     The new 10,000-gallon E85 tank in Nashville will service about 1,200 fleet vehicles as well as the general public.E85 is a fuel combination consisting of 85 percent ethanol (an environmentally friendly domestic fuel produced from grain in the mid-west) and 15 percent gasoline.

     “This is very important for the city and the state,” said Dave Pelton, Clean Cities coordinator for Middle Tennessee. “It is the first of its kind in the state and is symbolic of a direction in which the city and state are now willing to go.  The long-term potential energy security, environmental and economic impacts are great.  Even more important is the momentum toward an alternative fuel way of thinking.  I am often amazed at how our society can pride itself so much on freedom and choice yet largely ignore the fact that many times no real choice is offered.”

     In 1992, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act to enhance the nation's energy security and improve the quality of the environment. The Act calls for all state governments with fleets of 50 or more light-duty vehicles to purchase alternative fuel vehicles as a percent of their annual light duty vehicle acquisition. Tennessee 's motor vehicle fleet will utilize the new E85 pump for its fleet of approximately 290 alternative fuel vehicles.

     In Davidson County , there are approximately 1,200 fleet vehicles and 8,000 privately owned vehicles that are equipped to use E85. Most are 2000 model year or newer flex fuel vehicles which can use either gasoline or E85.

     “We would like to see at least one public station in each major city in Tennessee .  When I can drive my E85 minivan the entire stretch of interstate 40 from Memphis to Bristol using only E85 I'll feel like we've really made some progress,” stated Pelton.