Clean Cities coalition works to reduce vehicle emissions, improve air quality for the region.
CHICAGO, Nov. 22, 2022 – The Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition today announced that it has elected Les Faul, fleet operations manager for ComEd, as vice chair of its executive board. ComEd is the primary electric utility in the Chicago area, serving more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70% of the state’s population.
Chicago Area Clean Cities, a nonprofit coalition focused on promoting clean transportation in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, has been working with commercial and government fleets for the past 28 years to help them transition to sustainable transportation.
Faul has been with ComEd for 19 years, where he currently oversees the company’s fleet operations, including strategic efforts to reduce emissions and move toward a cleaner fleet. In the past, he has held various roles in the utilities sector, including as mechanic, call center lead, shop supervisor, field operations manager, and back office/procurement. He currently serves on the Midwest Energy Association’s Fleet and Transportation Committee and has been a board member for Chicago Area Clean Cities since 2015.
“Chicago Area Clean Cities has been leading the way on educating fleets and the public about clean vehicle technologies for nearly 30 years,” Faul said. “ComEd and the CACC have a longstanding partnership and a shared interest in expanding the benefits of clean technologies, including electric and hybrid vehicles as well as biodiesel-powered fleet vehicles, to the communities we serve across the region. With clean transportation and electrification top of mind for our stakeholders, I look forward to expanding my involvement with the CACC through this new role.”
Incorporating use of clean fuel and electric technologies is part of ComEd’s long running work to green and electrify its own fleet – with the first of these efforts launched in the early 2000s to pilot battery, plug-in hybrid, and biodiesel fuel technologies. Recently, ComEd has set forward a goal to electrify 30% of its fleet by 2025 and 50% by 2030. Currently, the company has more than 330 electric and hybrid vehicles in its fleet, and over 1,750 trucks using biodiesel fuel.
ComEd has also been assisting its customers with moving toward the transition to electrified transportation, including with the launch of an EV Toolkit – an all-in-one resource providing information and tips on currently available resources and rebates, rate plans and cost savings options, where to find charging stations, and more.
Chicago Area Clean Cities (CACC) is one of more than 75 coalitions across the country affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program, which brings together stakeholders to increase the use of alternative fuel and advanced-vehicle technologies, reduce idling, and improve fuel economy and air quality.
The coalition concentrates its efforts on educating businesses and government agencies in the six-county Chicago region, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. CACC’s membership is comprised of federal, state, and local governments, corporations, small businesses, and individuals. These stakeholders come together to share information and resources, educate the public, help craft public policy, and collaborate on projects that reduce petroleum use.
To become involved, visit https://chicagocleancities.org.