Beyond a Billion: Utah Clean Cities Coalition to Celebrate Nationwide Petroleum Saving
 
Public and private fleets across the state of Utah that operate on alternative fuels are being invited to attend and to bring one or two of their alternative fuel vehicles. At this celebration Utah Clean Cities will acknowledge and thank each fleet for its contribution to both energy security and air quality in Utah.

We also wish to invite many of the state’s influential leaders. Everyone is discussing the major issues tied to our dependence on petroleum fuels …costs, availability, air pollution, finding new sources of petroleum … the list goes on. While people discuss, our leaders must lead this debate and make workable decisions. To do this they need current and balanced information.

There has been much media attention, of late, about the rising costs of oil and about the recent passage of the Energy Policy Act, 2005, which includes provisions for AFVs. Our celebration will build on that foundation. Consumers and fleets are looking for relief and alternatives. Also, Clean Cities has expanded its message of strategies (idle reduction, smaller vehicles, smaller fleets, biofuel blends) that use less petroleum and help air quality. We need to build increased awareness.
For more than 10 years the national Clean Cities program has accumulated a vast amount of information and solutions for reducing America’s dependence on both imported domestic crude oil. And, once again, we will share this knowledge with the public.

At 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 14th, next to the Salt Lake International Airport’s CNG refueling pumps (see map), the Utah Clean Cities Coalition will showcase every imaginable alternative fuel vehicle you will find in the state; from the Airport’s CNG garbage truck to its low-speed electric service trucks; CNG school buses to biodiesel fueled Volkswagens; electric scooters to the Prius to an ethanol-fueled sedan and more. Several Utah fleets, such as the Airport and Jordan School District, which are known throughout the country for their alternative fuel programs, also will be acknowledged.

The "Beyond One Billion Gallons event will include a press conference, a show-and-tell of ways to save money on transportation, a few key speakers, a refueling demonstration and refreshments.

The public is invited.

In addition to celebrating a milestone for the Clean Cities program, we also will be celebrating October as Energy Awareness Month, and October 5th as Utah Clean Cities’ 11th anniversary.

Beverly Miller, director
Utah Clean Cities
535-7736
beverly.miller@slcgov.com