Focus on Fleets:
Fleet to Fleet

One day recently there were broad ranging headlines on biofuels:

Perry Awards Texas A&M $5 million Grant for Biofuels
Biofuels Targets Doubled by Energy Agency
New Legislation Stresses Renewable Energy Development
Global Warming and Biofuels Targets

It's all the buzz and the convergence of energy and environmental benefits with abundant state and local funding has attracted global interest. Keeping up with all of the changes in the biofuels industry can be daunting but the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) is setting out to do just that. AFVi presents the Biofuels Drive Economic Solutions Forum to be held Thursday, September 20, from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The Forum focus is on biodiesel and E85 and is designed as part of AFVi's Learning Marketplace to introduce fleets and decision-makers to a wide range of information on the fuels, the vehicles and available incentives. This Forum, sponsored by the Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities Coalition, is designed to bring alternative fuel industry and government experts together to provide the latest informational tools to allow fleets to successfully operate using biofuels. Supporting sponsors include the Ethanol Promotion Information Council (EPIC) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB).

Alternative fuel industry leaders will explain state and federal funding and incentives, biofuel vehicle and fueling options, air quality benefits, fuel availability as well as some more basic considerations about fuel standards and fuel use impacts on storage tanks, pumps and dispensers. Expert presenters representing vehicle and engine manufacturers, fuel associations, suppliers, users of biofuels, and high-ranking officials from federal, state, and local government regulatory agencies offer up to the minute information on today's marketplace. Confirmed speakers include Chris Cassidy, United States Department of Agriculture Business and Cooperative Programs; Frank Giordano, Clark County School District; Dan Hyde, Fleet Manager for the City of Las Vegas; Joe Jobe, Executive Director of the NBB; Richard Nelson, NBB Consultant; Gary Weinberg, Biodiesel Industries; and, Robert White, Ethanol Promotion Information Council. A host of OEMs will be on hand as well to talk about the vehicles that run on ethanol and biodiesel.

"We have quite a stellar lineup already," said Annalloyd Thomason, Executive Director of AFVi. "One part of it that is of particular interest to us is presenting a range of end users whose experience with the fuels allows them to offer real live insights into both the challenges and the tremendous opportunities that biofuels offer."

The Forum runs from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 20. The registration fee is $149 before August 17 and $199 after that. The fee includes access to Forum materials, a continental breakfast, and lunch. Space is limited and registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, go to the AFVi website and sign up today. http://www.afvi.org/forums.html The Forum will be held at The Orleans, 4500 West Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas. The Forum is presented by AFVi and the lead sponsor is the Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities Coalition.