Local and Federal Officials to Discuss Importance of Alternative Fuels

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Today several local and federal officials will meet at the annual meeting of the Alternative Fuels Clean Cities Partnership to discuss the role and importance of alternative fuel vehicles in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The ultimate goal of the Partnership is to increase the number of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in the region and to increase public awareness and acceptance of AFVs and to provide current AFV information. This year's conference theme is ``A Region Moving Toward Environmental Excellence,''

D.C. Council Member Phil Mendelson will discuss how AFV legislative initiatives in the city will impact the region's air quality and transportation goals. Christopher Zimmerman, Vice Chair of the Arlington County Board, will describe that county's effort to make its bus fleet ``clean and green.'' The luncheon speaker, Tom Gross, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Technologies, U.S. Department of Energy, will discuss the future of AFVs in relation to the nation's new energy strategy.

WHAT:      The Metropolitan Washington Alternative Fuels Clean Cities 2001
               Annual Event.

    WHO:       Phil Mendelson, Vice Chair, the Transportation Planning Board
               and Member, Council of the District of Columbia

               Christopher Zimmerman, Vice Chair, Arlington County Board

               David Rodgers, Director, Office of Technology Utilization,
               U.S. Department of Energy

               Michael Rogers, Executive Director, COG

    WHEN:      10:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Tuesday, November 13, 2001

    WHERE:     COG Board Room, 3rd Floor
               777 North Capitol Street; NE