This Earth Month, learn some ways GoRaleigh is sustainable year-round! As an agency we are dedicated to Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) which lays out a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050; address equity, environmental justice and community health; and build community resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Sustainable Fuels:
In 2017, the Raleigh Transit Authority voted to convert up to 75 percent of the fleet to CNG. The remaining 25 percent will include diesel and other advanced technologies. These advanced technologies include our electric buses as well as alternate fuels that are currently being studied. This year the Bioenergy Recovery Project with Raleigh will generate a renewable fuel that will be used primarily to fuel the City's GoRaleigh bus fleet. This project will be the first municipal wastewater digester that will be producing renewable natural gas in North Carolina. The City of Raleigh will also be one of a just a few municipal agencies in the United States that are using their Renewable Natural Gas to run their own fleet. Additionally, a study is currently being completed to determine the feasibility of hydrogen as a fuel source for our fleet, exploring both on site produced and delivered hydrogen.
CNG facts:
Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG, consists mostly of methane, and is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. CNG burns cleaner which greatly reduces air pollution by reducing greenhouse gases (GHG), and smog forming emissions, such as carbon dioxide, NOx (nitrogen oxides), and particulate emissions. CNG engines are much quieter than comparable diesel engines, reducing noise pollution.
Bus Stop Improvements:
All new lighting purchased for our shelters is solar powered. These shelters will enhance the passenger experience at our stops and increase visibility of pedestrians, contributing to a safer experience on our streets.
Climate Action and Transportation:
The above initiatives are just some of the ways that Raleigh is working towards a more sustainable community. Learn about sustainable transportation and land use in Raleigh.
Come learn about other sustainability strategies with the City of Raleigh at Earth Day and Arbor Day 2025 at Dix Park on Friday, April 25.