- Air Quality Public Education
- Northern Indiana Green Fleets
- NWI Partners for Clean Air
- Drive Clean Indiana
- Vehicle Emission Testing Program
In 1999 NIRPC was one of 14 demonstration communities selected and funded to conduct air quality public education with the materials and messaging of the new commercial quality campaign “It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air”. “It All Adds Up” was developed in partnership between the US Environmental Agency, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administrations.
Since that time, NIRPC has conducted a diverse variety of advertising campaigns and educational activities with partners. Periodic professional surveys of Northwest Indiana residents have been conducted to gauge their knowledge of air quality issues in the region and willingness to take action to make a difference. 2017 Air Quality survey results are here:
Since 2019 Air Quality Public Education programming has been shifting to our partners South Shore Clean Cities. They have initiated new efforts such as Green Fleets Radio.
The Green Fleets program is a targeted education and technical support effort designed to reduce air pollution generated by public and private fleet operators through elimination of informational, operational and infrastructure barriers to implementing best practices, new technologies, and alternative fuels in fleet operations. Initiated as a partnership between NIRPC and South Shore Clean Cities with 6 participating fleet operators, the program now serves 18 NWI cities and towns as well as several school districts, transit operators, universities, and companies. Geographically, it now also includes the four northern Indiana counties and many municipalities and fleet operators served by the Michiana Area Council of Governments. Green fleet membership and participation is available to any public, private, or non-profit fleet operator. More information about Green Fleets and an enrollment application is available here or call South Shore Clean Cities at(219) 644-3690.
Green Fleet Success Stories:
Partners for Clean Air (PCA) is a coalition of Northwest Indiana businesses, industries, local governments, and community groups committed to improving overall air quality and public health through voluntary actions. Members of the Partners for Clean Air Program develop Air Quality Action Plans. These plans are designed to be implemented on Air Quality Action Days as a way of reducing harmful air pollutants.
Annual activities include the Partners for Clean Air Awards Luncheon, Air Quality Awareness Events with the Gary Railcats and Valparaiso University Basketball, and tabling at many regional events. More recently, sponsors have initiated a scholarship program for NWI college students planning to pursue an environmental career.
To learn more and take the Partners for Clean Air pledge click here.
NIRPC served as a founding board member of Drive Clean Indiana (fka South Shore Clean Cities) in 1999 when they were initially designated as the Department of Energy’s 71st Clean Cities Coalition. Clean Cities organizations are designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. Drive Clean Indiana, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization managed by Legacy Environmental Services, Inc., an Indiana Certified Women’s Business Enterprise.
Drive Clean Indiana lives its mission through education and outreach, training, grant writing and funding acquisition, project management and the development of stakeholder partnerships.
The NIRPC Environmental Management and Policy Committee hosted an educational event to understand more about why Lake and Porter County residents continue to be required to have their tailpipe emissions tested. Presentations from the event are available here:
- Indiana Department Environmental Management – Emission Testing Educational Event Presentation
- NIRPC’s Roles in Emissions Testing presentation
For more information check out:
