First Alaska Clean Energy Symposium to Explore Clean Energy, Fuels and Technologies

PASADENA, Calif.--April 29, 2004--

WestStart & US Army National Automotive Center (NAC) Organize Innovative Industry/Policy/Military Conference to Advance National Dialog on Clean Energy

In the face of rapidly rising fuel costs, what are the clean energy sources and fuels of the nation's future, and what technologies are emerging to use them? These will be some of the issues tackled and addressed by industry, military and policy-maker leaders in the first Alaska Clean Energy Symposium, set for May 25-27 in Anchorage, Alaska.

This interactive two-day symposium, which also features a half-day of vehicle exhibits and optional technology tours, is designed to advance the national dialog on clean energy and technology. Organized by WestStart-CALSTART and the US Army National Automotive Center (NAC), the symposium will explore what clean energy sources, fuels and technologies are available or emerging, and how to make them more available for commercial and military applications in both mobile and stationary roles.

The Alaskan setting is particularly fitting, as the state represents a tremendous source of current and potential future energy for the nation. What will be the clean energy sources from and for Alaska? What are Alaska's potential roles? These issues will be addressed by several influential Alaska state and congressional policy-makers, including U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), an invited keynote speaker.

The symposium will feature sessions on:

-- Sources of clean energy -- including natural gas and hydrogen;

-- Clean energy technologies -- including advanced propulsion and generation systems, fuel cells, energy storage systems and infrastructure;

-- Clean energy programs -- including gas-to-liquids (GTL) and hybrid trucks; and

-- Military strategies for clean fuels and vehicles -- including field power generation, advanced combat vehicles and fuel logistics.

Full agenda and registration information is available online at www.weststart.org.

Coupled with the actual symposium sessions, part of one day is devoted to an impressive vehicle and technology demonstration featuring 15 advanced hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and exhibits, from 40-ton trucks to one-person vehicles. The displays will be hosted at Elmendorf Air Force Base. There will also be two optional tours of Alaska advanced fuels and testing facilities: BP's GTL Research Plant in Nikiski; and the U.S. Army's Cold Regions Test Center in Delta Junction.

"Given rising fuel prices and the national security concerns of our current sources of conventional energy, the time has come to chart a new course," noted John Boesel, president and CEO of WestStart-CALSTART. "We need to look at new, clean sources of energy and the technologies they can power for environmental and security reasons."

The Alaska Clean Energy Symposium is structured to explore these issues and to gather thoughts and information about them by encouraging questions and dialogue during the sessions. Each session will include an opportunity to capture key points and possible next steps. A hosted kick-off reception launches the symposium the evening of May 25, 2004, with a welcome from Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. The symposium's list of unique speakers includes inventor Dean Kamen, who developed the Segway vehicle, and an impressive array of energy and technology experts.

The symposium has garnered strong Alaskan and energy technology support. In addition to the NAC, early symposium sponsors include: Federal Transit Administration; Department of Energy; Denali Commission; Koniag; ICRC; and the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation. For information on sponsorship and hosting opportunities, please contact WestStart-CALSTART's Susan Romeo at sromeo@weststart.org.

WestStart-CALSTART is North America's leading advanced transportation technologies consortium. It is a fuel neutral, participant-supported organization of more than 115 companies and agencies, dedicated to expanding and supporting a high-tech transportation industry that cleans the air, creates jobs and improves energy efficiency. WestStart-CALSTART plays a leading national role to facilitate the development of advanced propulsion systems and alternative fuels in the transit and heavy-duty vehicle industry. Its California operating division does business as CALSTART. Visit www.weststart.org for more information.