Ethanol, compressed natural gas, and biodiesel were the hot topics during a seminar at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) on important developments in clean alternative transportation fuel fleet options. 

Participants from the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, Sustainable Energy Strategies, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the DC Lung Association spoke about opportunities in the for local government fleets and the newest technologies to reduce energy inputs and fuel costs.  Representatives from GM, American Honda, and John Deere also previewed clean fuel technologies that are currently available, as well as future availability in the heavy and light duty vehicle market. 

Austan Librach, Director of Emerging Transportation Technologies and Austin Energy Hybrid Plug-in Technology, gave a special presentation on how local governments could join the national Plug-in Partners initiative.  He said that plug-in hybrid vehicles demonstrate enhanced fuel economy and fewer emissions than a conventional vehicle or a conventional power-assist hybrid vehicle. 

The agenda and presentations from the June 15 seminar are available on the Alternative Fuels Partnership page at

http://www.mwcog.org/events/2006/06/15/advancing-the-choice-fleet-seminar/