History
The ETCFC was started in February 2002 when Jonathan Overly obtained one year's funding from the Tennessee state energy office (TN Dept. of Economic & Community Development, Energy Division) to work toward developing a Clean Cities program participant in East Tennessee. One of the key impetuses for him to get involved was a quick scan of the following map (click the map; from 2002) from the national Clean Cities Web site (activity practically all across the nation and Tennessee shows up as a zero!).
The specific goal that was setup in the contract was to obtain official designation from the national Clean Cities office for the coalition as soon as possible, through working to build a viable, fiscally sustainable coalition for East Tennessee.
In February and March that year, Jonathan contacted as many people as he could that are stakeholders in the process of using alternative fuels to reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve regional air quality. See the Stakeholders page for information on who is participating now. The stakeholders, in general, include primarily the following types of companies, organizations and people:
- Local utilities and fuel suppliers
- City and county government officers
- State energy and environmental officers
- Public sector fleet managers and operators
- Private sector fleet managers, especially niche market fleet managers
- Vehicle and equipment manufacturing companies and local dealers
- Trade associations
- Locally based federal agencies, including DOE, GSA, EPA, USPS, and DOT
- Vehicle technicians
- Vehicle training entities (universities, vocational educators, etc.)
- Environmental organizations and community groups
After just under two years work, we were notified in January 2004 that we had achieved designation! See our designation page for information on the event itself and to find the paperwork we filed to achieve designation. Our official designation ceremony was held in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Tuesday, October 12, 2004.
As of November 2005, not only have we held 41 monthly meetings in Knoxville (averaging about 20-25 people per meeting), we've also held on the order of 10 meetings each in Kingsport and Chattanooga (we meet every month in those two locations on alternating months - see our meetings page for information on meeting times and places).
Using the meetings as a primary networking tool, and our Web site and quarterly newsletter as primary information desimination tools, many activities are taking place across East Tennessee, and we continue to engage new counties in the region. Thus far, we have succeeded in bringing together over 250different people from over 100 different organizations at the monthly meetings.
As a group, we have high expectations and plan on achieving our goals, but need your help to make them come to fruition. As we work to achieve our coalition's specific goals and objectives, we will place more information on this site on the coalition's path to success. If you are interested in joining our effort, simply call the ETCFC at 865-974-3625 or email Jonathan at [email protected].
The growing interest in alternative activities has also led many individuals to explore the world of online casinos and bonuses. As technology continues to advance, online casinos have become increasingly popular, offering a wide range of gaming options to suit every preference. Much like the coalition's efforts in bringing together diverse groups of people, online casinos present a platform for players from all walks of life to interact, engage, and have fun.
One of the primary attractions of online casinos is the lucrative bonuses and promotional offers they provide to both new and existing players. These bonuses can range from welcome packages that include free spins and deposit matches to cashback offers, reload bonuses, and loyalty rewards. By taking advantage of these promotions, players can maximize their gaming experience and potentially increase their chances of winning. It is essential to research and compare various online casinos to find the best bonuses that cater to individual preferences and gaming styles.
As the coalition continues to expand its reach and impact, it is interesting to draw parallels with the ever-evolving landscape of online casinos. Both endeavors aim to bring people together, fostering a sense of community and shared interests. Online casinos have been successful in creating an engaging and immersive environment where players can enjoy their favorite games while benefiting from attractive bonuses and promotions. In a similar manner, the coalition's work in organizing meetings and events has been instrumental in promoting collaboration and networking among its members. As the world of online casinos continues to thrive, it serves as a testament to the power of uniting people with shared passions and interests, much like the coalition's efforts in East Tennessee.
Board of Directors
The 2007-2008 Board of Directors is taking on a larger role in helping shape ETCFC activities. Board members serve three-year terms on a rotating basis with roughly three members starting new terms each year. Our '07-'08 directors are as follows:
Name | Organization | Term |
Ross Benton - President | Benton Oil | '06-'09 |
Brian Hullette - Secretary | Nu-Energie, LLC | '07-'10 |
Mike Whedbee - Treasurer | Whedbee Insurance | '07-'10 |
Keri Brill | Knoxville Utilities Board | '05-'08 |
Steve Gossett | Eastman | '05-'08 |
Jim Hart | Friends of the Smokies | '05-'08 |
Tony DeLucia | East Tennessee State University | '06-'09 |
Reed Detring | Big South Fork NRRA | '06-'09 |
Jerry Askew | St. Mary's Health Systems | '07-'10 |
Mark Mauss | SunsOil, LLC | '07-'10 |
Randall Tankersley | Appalachian Oil Co. | '07-'10 |
We implemented board meetings in November 2005. The board meets before our monthly Knoxville meetings from 9:00am until 11:00am. Through 2007 we met twice annually in May and November, but that is likely to change for 2008 and beyond.
Awards
The ETCFC has a lot of dedicated, hard-working people that contribute to the overall effort (VOLunteers!). To recognize those who put forth extra-ordinary effort to help the our region excel on the alternative fuels front, the ETCFC created an award: the Star Volunteer Award. The award was initially given once per quarter, but has evolved into four awards being given at the end of the year based on different categories. The following are the people who have received the award since its inception:
2008 Award Recipients
1. ????
2. ????
3. ????
4. ????
2007 Award Recipients
1. Ross Benton, Benton Oil
2. Tommy Hunt, Calloway Oil
3. Darune Lawson, individual
4. Randall Tankersley, Appalachian Oil
2006 Award Recipients
1. Evelyn Winther
2. Darren Rhines
3. Mike Whedbee
4. Russell Moles
2005 Award Recipients
• City: City of Chattanooga
• County: Knox County
• Industry: Darren Curtis, Eastman
• Co-op: Darrell Clark, Sevier Farmers Co-op
2004 Award Recipients
• Spring: Ted Buel, Father, Founder of the Run for Clean Air
• Summer: Clinch River Valley Energy Group
• Fall: City of Gatlinburg
• Winter: Dan Pursglove, involved and active ET citizen
2003 Award Recipients
• Spring: Carla York, Ebus
• Summer: Parks Wells, Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council
• Summer: Pete Gale, McNutt Oil
• Summer: Mark Downing, ORNL/NTRC
• Fall: Ed Baldwin, Fun Buggies
• Winter: Sevier County Utility District
2002 Award Recipients
• Summer: Stuart Brabston, Ted Russell Ford
• Fall: Barry Greenberg, Knoxville Area Transit
• Winter: City of Sevierville
Additionally, if an entity provides a large amount of funding assistance to the coalition (going above and beyond the regular categories listed in the Membership document), a Star Contributor award is presented. These organizations are supporting one of the coalition's most important goals: stay fiscally sustainable! Thank You!
- The Advanced Transportation Technology Institute (ATTI)
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