WestStart-CALSTART Extends Nominations for 2004 Blue Sky Award; Nomination Deadline for Prestigious Award Extended to September 30; Award Ceremony Set for December 2

PASADENA, Calif.--Aug. 2, 20045, 2004--Not everyone is a leader. Not everyone pushes marketplace change with clean, advanced transportation technologies. Those who do, however, deserve special recognition for their market-opening actions -- for setting the pace for innovation and change to make transportation clean and efficient.

Whose actions stand out in 2004? WestStart-CALSTART is seeking your nominations of advanced transportation leaders, and has extended the nominating period for its prestigious Blue Sky Award(TM) and Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award(TM) for 2004. Since 1996, the internationally recognized Blue Sky Award(TM) has been given for outstanding marketplace contributions to advanced, sustainable transportation that cleans the air, improves energy efficiency and helps reduce greenhouse emissions. Nominations are needed by September 30.

Blue Sky Award(TM) recipients can be selected for bringing new vehicles or vehicle technology to the market; for significant commitment to the use of clean transportation options; for significant technology breakthroughs that affect the marketplace; or any combination of the above. Blue Sky Innovation Award(TM) recipients can be selected for innovative efforts in pushing a new technology, product or service toward the marketplace through policies, incentives or other actions.

Prospective award recipients can be manufacturers, developers or users of advanced transportation technologies and services. Past recipients include: ISE Research; Ed Huestis, City of Vacaville; Ford Motor Company; the U.S. Postal Service; Toyota; and General Motors. Past Merit recipients include: American Honda Motor Company; Los Angeles MTA; Norcal Waste Systems; IMPCO Technologies; and Enova Systems.

The easiest and quickest way to submit nominations is via our Web site, www.calstart.org. Just follow the link to the Blue Sky Award(TM) and you can submit electronically. Individuals can also submit nominations by contacting CALSTART for nomination forms and fax, mail, or e-mail the form to our offices at WestStart-CALSTART, 2181 E. Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, Attn: Blue Sky Award(TM), Tel: 626-744-5600; Fax: 626-744-5610; E-mail: msavage@calstart.org. For questions, please contact Melanie Savage. The deadline for submitting nominations has been extended to Thursday, September 30, 2004.

This year, the Blue Sky Award(TM) will be presented in a luncheon ceremony December 2, 2004, at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles. The awards will be staged in conjunction with the California 2020 Transportation Energy Future Conference. For tickets to the awards luncheon, or to the entire day-long conference, please contact Melanie Savage or Monica Alcaraz, malcaraz@calstart.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, and in spurring integrated mobility options. Its California operating division does business as CALSTART. Visit www.weststart.org for more information.