On Saturday, June 20, the Nebraska Clean Cities and Communities Coalition (NEC4) partnered with Lincoln Electric System to host a booth at the Malone Center's Juneteenth celebration. The event celebrated culture, freedom, and progress while bringing the community together for a day of education and engagement. We appreciated the opportunity to connect with attendees, hear about their experiences, and discuss transportation choices and accessibility within our communities.
Throughout the event, our team welcomed community members of all ages. Visitors stopped by our booth to receive free popsicle stick holders and homemade air fresheners while learning about the benefits of alternative fuels and clean transportation options available throughout Nebraska.
One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity to speak with community members about their perspectives on transportation and alternative fuels. Attendees also participated in our Transportation Equity Survey, which helped us better understand public awareness, transportation habits, and perceptions of clean transportation technologies. Thanks to the generous support of U-Stop, participants were entered into a gift card drawing as a token of appreciation for completing the survey.
The survey provided valuable insight into how people travel and the challenges they face. Most respondents reported driving for personal transportation, while many also indicated that commuting to work or school was one of their primary reasons for driving. One of the clearest trends that emerged from the survey was that fuel cost remains the greatest transportation barrier for many community members. With gasoline prices remaining high in recent years, many respondents said they cope by driving less frequently or carpooling whenever possible. Only a small portion of respondents indicated that they switch to lower-cost fuel alternatives when fuel prices increase. These responses highlight both the financial burden of transportation and the opportunity to increase awareness and accessibility of alternative fuel options.
The survey also revealed that traditional gasoline remains the dominant fuel used by respondents. A large majority reported having used traditional gasoline, and nearly half indicated it was the only fuel type they had ever used. Ethanol blends were the second most commonly reported fuel, followed by hybrid vehicles. Comparatively few respondents reported experience with electric vehicles, propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), or diesel. These results demonstrate that while alternative fuels continue to gain visibility, many Nebraskans have limited firsthand experience with transportation options beyond conventional gasoline.
Understanding the experiences, concerns, and opinions of the communities we serve is essential to the mission of Nebraska Clean Cities and Communities Coalition. Community outreach events like the Juneteenth celebration allow us to engage directly with the public while collecting meaningful feedback that can guide future education and outreach efforts. By listening to community members and identifying barriers to cleaner transportation, NEC4 can continue working toward expanding awareness, improving accessibility, and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable transportation future for all Nebraskans.
