National Alternative Fuels Conference & Expo Scheduled for May 2006 - Fueling Economic Solutions
National Alternative Fuels Conference & Expo Scheduled for May 2006 Fueling Economic Solutions, Showcasing Affordable and Clean Transportation LAS VEGAS, NV.-Fleets, industry, governments and anyone with an interest in the purchase and use of alternative fuels and vehicles will find one-stop-shopping at the Clean Cities Congress (CCC) and Expo 2006, in Phoenix, AZ., May 7-10. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVI), on behalf of industry and in partnership with Arizona Clean Cities, will explore transportation options that make economic sense. The Clean Cities Congress provides independent, market-ready transportation solutions that are affordable, available, and replacements for petroleum. Experts representing all alternative fuels, policy makers, and many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) discuss recent technology innovations and policy shifts. This is the largest gathering of alternative fuel and vehicle technology advocates and users in the world. The types of fuels represented at the Congress include biodiesel, compressed natural gas, ethanol, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and propane. Vehicles that are available for participants to see, drive, and purchase include flex-fuel, fuel cells, hybrid electric, and light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles. For a glimpse into the future, there are also prototype vehicles on display. "The convergence of the alternative fuel and vehicle provisions in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, and the dramatic rise in gas prices, allows for an extraordinary opportunity to bring the major players together to demonstrate and explain solutions that are here today," said Will Kleindienst, CCC chairman. "At the end of the day, those making decisions about incorporating alternative fuels into their fleets will have the most accurate and current information available." One hundred exhibitors are expected to display a wide array of products and services, all related to the alternative fuel industry. Additionally, there will be a Ride-n-Drive where OEMs invite attendees to test drive the latest alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The Clean Cities Congress is meeting at the Phoenix Convention Center. That is where the educational sessions and activities will take place. On Sunday, May 7, there will be two in-depth training sessions. The first is an AFV fleet tutorial, designed as an introduction to the fuels and technologies available today. The other session is an exhaustive look at the provisions of the energy bill, what they mean, who is eligible to take advantage of them, and how to do that. The economics of alternative fuels, fuel purchasing, new product review, state and federal funding, and lessons from users is a small sampling of the topics to be addressed. In addition to the robust educational offerings, some of the most memorable moments are the networking and social events. The opening night reception, sponsored by General Motors, takes place in the Bentley Project, a chic new gallery located in a building that began as a commercial laundry facility in 1912. Attendees will experience new extremes in art and rhythmic entertainment. Several other events are in the planning stages. Other early sponsorship commitments have come in from Alternative Fuel Vehicle Solutions, Clean Energy Fuels, Daimler Chrysler, and the National Biodiesel Board. The AFVI is an entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization that brings community leaders in need of proven transportation technologies together with government and industry partners who can define and implement cost-effective solutions. Valley of the Sun and Tucson Regional Clean Cities are the two Arizona designated coalitions of the Department of Energy's Clean Cities program. The coalitions are dedicated to deploying advanced transportation technologies resulting in enhanced environmental quality, public health, economic development and decreasing dependence on petroleum. More information on alternative fuels and the Congress is available at www.afvi.org
