The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is a regional council of governments serving Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties. Each of 41 cities, towns and 2 large townships appoint an elected official to the Commission. County Councils, Commissioners, County Surveyors, and the Governor also each appoint one elected official. NIRPC provides structure for the communities of Northwest Indiana to cooperatively address regional issues relating to transportation, environment, and economic development.

A primary role of NIRPC is a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). MPOs are required for urbanized areas to access federal transportation dollars collected through national gas taxes. NIRPC keeps regional transportation processes and documents current as a prerequisite for local communities to receive transportation funding.

 An important MPO function is keeping a lid on air pollution generated by our transportation system. Many of the cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution from vehicles aligns with SSCC goals of reducing fuel consumption, cleaner fuel and vehicles. This relationship has led to many air quality successes. 

The two groups conduct complementary educational campaigns and programs to encourage voluntary actions and technologies that reduce air pollution. NIRPC passes dollars through to SSCC to educate their extensive network of associates engaged in vehicles fleet operation and fueling through the NWI Green Fleets Program. NIRPC can then focus our efforts on the general public, leveraging the resources of both organizations while eliminating duplication of efforts. Visit www.NIRPC.org to learn more about the projects they are currently working on and read more below to learn more about the Green Fleet Program.