BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Thanks to the hard work of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, the Yellowhammer state reduced its dependence on foreign oil by 6.5 million gallons last year. Additionally, Alabama also reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 25.6 tons due to the increased use of alternative transportation fuels.

According to its website, the ACFC is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state’s principal coordinating point for alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. It is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program, and it promotes increased use of clean, renewable, domestic energy sources.

“Our Alabama member and stakeholder fleets are continuing to go the extra mile when it comes to replacing petroleum fuels with cleaner burning and domestically produced alternative fuels such as compressed and liquefied natural gas, propane autogas, electricity, E85 ethanol, and B20 biodiesel,” Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director Mark Bentley said in a press release. “Members and stakeholders of ACFC include commercial and municipal fleets, fuel distributors and utilities across the state.”

Although most Americans still drive traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, the number of people purchasing plug-in automobiles is on the rise. Just last year, the sale of plug-in electric cars increased by 40 percent.

In Alabama, 24.7 million gallons of foreign oil have been displaced by domestic alternative fuels over the past eight years. This year’s displacement rate was up 21.5 percent. With the reduction in the use of foreign petroleum, the state’s economy received a boost from the use of alternative fuels produced or distributed by in-state companies.