Who We Are

Clean Fuels Ohio is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of cleaner, domestic fuels and efficient vehicles to the transportation industry, government, and the general public. Through programs like Ohio Green Fleets, we provide technical support to transportation professionals, advocate for sustainable transportation energy policies, and serve as a resource clearinghouse for fleets, policy makers, and the public. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, we work extensively around the state in collaboration with local partners.

Printer-Friendly PDF version of this page» 

Our History

Established as a program of the Columbus Health Department in 1999, Clean Fuels Ohio became an independent nonprofit organization in 2002 under the name Central Ohio Clean Fuels Coalition (COCFC). That same year, COCFC was designated as a Clean Cities Coalition by the U.S. Department of Energy and received an award for "one of the best (market development) program plans ever received."

Since that time, we have worked extensively to increase the availability of alternative fuels by assisting with station development and promotion, especially related to E85, biodiesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG). In addition, much work has been done to assist fleet managers in greening their vehicle fleets— resulting in positive environmental and health benefits to the community. In 2005, we changed our name to Clean Fuels Ohio to reflect the growing reach of our programs.

In 2007, Clean Fuels Ohio was presented with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s Clean Air Award for efforts to improve the air quality in Central Ohio. That same year CFO Executive Director Sam Spofforth received the honor of Clean Cities Coordinator of the Year through the US Department of Energy. Clean Fuels Ohio has also been recognized by General Motors as the 2008 Clean Cities Coalition of the Year.

A year later, Clean Fuels Ohio moved our office from the Ohio State Center for Automotive Research to the current location at 3400 North High Street and as of 2011, we have grown to a full-time staff of nine.

We continue to focus on greening fleets across the state through our Ohio Green Fleets program and on educating the public and decision-makers about responsible and sustainable transportation options.

Since its launch in August 2008, Ohio Green Fleets program has engaged hundreds of fleets across the state in workshops, seminars and individual meetings. This work has resulted in the active enrollment of 140 public and private organizations—all of who have provided fleet data and begun the process of earning Ohio Green Fleet certification. The 32 designated Ohio Green Fleets have displaced a combined total of 4,814,095 gallons of petroleum and eliminated over 180 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), 6 tons of particulate matter (PM 2.5), 14.9 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 32,187 tons of carbon dioxide.