Dennis Weaver's International Hydrogen Drive 2004 to Tour Three Countries to Promote Energy Independence

The Institute of Ecolonomics Raises Awareness of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in a Fifteen-Day, Three-Country Alternative Fuel Vehicle Drive

LOS ANGELES, April 13 -- As a pioneer in promoting alternative fuels and energy independence, actor Dennis Weaver and his Institute of Ecolonomics will embark on the latest in a continuing series of media and educational tours with Dennis Weaver's International Hydrogen Drive 2004 (www.HydrogenDrive.com). Beginning in Los Angeles on June 28, the drive travels to Mexicali, Mexico before heading to its final destination in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 12. The caravan of hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen internal combustion, hybrid, biodiesel, electric, propane, CNG and ethanol vehicles will drive 1800 miles along the west coast of North America to raise awareness of the availability of a wide range of alternative fuel vehicles and the advent of vehicles fueled with renewably sourced hydrogen.

The fifteen-day drive, symbolically incorporating Independence Day at its midpoint, will make media and educational stops in over two-dozen cities along the route, giving people the opportunity to learn about and experience these vehicles first-hand. Along the way, Dennis Weaver, along with other distinguished celebrities and dignitaries, will deliver speeches on the urgent need to break our dependency on fossil fuels and embrace our drive for energy independence. Additional media events along the drive route include San Diego; Palm Desert, Calif.; Diamond Bar, Calif.; Fresno, Calif.; San Jose, Calif.; San Francisco, Sacramento, Calif.; Ashland, Ore.; Salem, Ore.; Portland, Ore.; Olympia, Wash.; Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia.

"Replacing fossil fuels as a principal energy source of our economy with clean, inexhaustible hydrogen is vital for a healthy, promising future," said Dennis Weaver, founder of the Institute of Ecolonomics. "We are at the forefront of a determined drive for energy independence with the International Hydrogen Drive 2004."

Volunteerism plays a vital part in the International Hydrogen Drive 2004's success. By telling a friend and subscribing to the International Hydrogen Drive 2004 e-mail newsletter, everyone can play a critical role in the drive for energy independence. Those who would like to champion the creation of hydrogen highways and promote a broad range of sustainable societal benefits by ending fossil fuel dependency can sponsor a mile or a portion of a mile of the drive by visiting www.HydrogenDrive.com or by calling 866-DENNISW.

A special theme song for International Hydrogen Drive 2004, "Drive On," by recording artists Janet Ritz and Jonathan Hayes is featured on the web site. The song is intended as an anthem for the alternative fuel movement and the drive for energy independence. GRAMMY(R)-nominated recording artists the Cathy Richardson Band will accompany the tour in a biodiesel bus and perform songs from their new release "The Road to Bliss" at media stops along the way.

Early sponsors and supporters of the International Hydrogen Drive 2004 include Toyota, California Environmental Protection Agency, California Hydrogen Business Council, Stuart Energy, Energy Independence Now and the Media Arts Group.

History

To promote the use of sustainable sources of energy, Institute of Ecolonomics Founder Dennis Weaver, along with his team of innovators, coordinated the first educational and media tour, Drive for Life, from Los Angeles to Denver in 2001. Two years later, the Drive to Survive educational and media tour from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. promoted clean, renewable fuel sources and emphasized the urgency of decreasing our dependence on foreign oil. Dennis Weaver's International Hydrogen Drive 2004 affirms its commitment to safeguarding the future by promoting sustainable energy policy and usage.

The Institute of Ecolonomics

The Institute of Ecolonomics (www.ecolonomics.org) was founded in 1993 by actor and community leader Dennis Weaver based on his conviction that a truly sustainable future requires a healthy environment and a prosperous economy. Dennis has long believed the key to realizing both is mutual cooperation. Based in Ridgway, Colo., the nonprofit institute actively helps identify, research, demonstrate and promote ecolonomic technologies and products, which then evolve into ecolonomic businesses. The end result is a robust economy that preserves a healthy environment.

For further information, please contact Doug Schneider, schneiderd@ruderfinn.com, or Monica Bouldin, bouldinm@ruderfinn.com, both of Ruder Finn, Inc., +1-310-479-9929, for Institute of Ecolonomics.