Hart Downstream Energy Group and Clean Fuels Clearinghouse Alliance Creates New Value for Refiners and Importers

    POTOMAC, Md.--Feb. 19, 2002--Today the Hart/IRI Downstream Energy Group and the Clean Fuels Clearinghouse(SM) announce the formation of a key strategic alliance. The alliance is designed to uniquely serve the refining and motor fuel industry, delivering to clients the access to markets and the services necessary for the effective implementation of new motor fuel compliance programs.
    Refiners, who are just at the dawn of implementing projects for new cleaner fuel regulations, are faced with major spending decisions. Capital expenditures in excess of $12 billion dollars, over the next four to five years, will be required to comply with the new cleaner fuel requirements. Clients of both organizations will now have enhanced access to the information, the services, and the expertise necessary for them to best understand, formulate and execute compliance strategies.
    One of the value-adding services that the Clean Fuels Clearinghouse (CFCH) provides refiners, blenders, and importers is a secure and independent marketplace for the exchange of motor fuel environmental credits. Trading is currently being conducted in the area of gasoline sulfur credits, allotments, and oxygen credits on the CFCH proprietary exchange platform, online at www.CFCH.com.
    "I am enthusiastic about this partnership", said Clayton McMartin, President of the Clean Fuels Clearinghouse. "This alliance is consistent with our purpose as a clearinghouse and our member companies now have ready access to many more of the top experts in the motor fuel business."
    HART's Downstream Energy Group (HART) is the industry's recognized leader in information services for the worldwide fuels and related transportation industries. The company serves all areas of the vast fuels industry including refining, automotive manufacturing, and industry technology providers as well as governments through a complete array of services providing information, analysis and access through their global network. To learn more, visit the company's websites at www.worldfuels.com or www.ifqc.org.
    "In today's rapidly changing global fuels marketplace, timely, accurate, high-level intelligence is vital to the decision process," said Paul Argyropoulos, Director of HART's International Fuel Quality Center. "We are pleased to announce this strategic alliance with the CFCH, as it delivers all of these elements to both organization's members and clients."

    HART's Downstream Energy Group is part of HART Publications, a Chemical Week Associates company. Chemical Week Associates, a New York-based, $70-million multimedia business to business enterprise produces magazines, newsletters, and a number of conferences and tradeshows for the worldwide chemical industry. Hart Publications is a leading energy and natural gas industry information provider with a wide-variety of services including industry publications, global conferences and governmental and technical consulting services.

    The CFCH is an independent organization formed to assist the refining and motor fuel industry with timely and cost-effective implementation of motor fuel compliance programs. The company and its' collaborating associates are focused on providing tools and services that help members achieve the highest level of environmental stewardship throughout their business operations. Clean Fuels Clearinghouse is the trade name of Freedom Group Inc., a Nevada corporation.