Richard Wilson

The Director of Natural

Gas Engine Development for

John Deere, Tom Cummings,

In a first-time personal appearance at a Clean

announced a new engine--

Cities conference by the former Secretary of

the 6.8-liter natural gas engine

Energy, Federico Peña delivered a special

with diesel-like fuel economy

message from President Clinton declaring the

and extended oil maintenance

week as "National Alternative Fuels Week"

intervals. The new engine is

(see next page). Secretary Peña stressed the

ideal for school buses, shuttle

importance of a comprehensive energy security

buses, and Class 6 and 7 pick-up

strategy for the country by "learning the geology

trucks. In addition to meeting

before the earthquake" of an oil crisis, which

the Clean Fuel Fleet and

could come at any time. Peña expressed the

EPAct standards, the new

engine operates below

need to expand future energy choices because

emissions levels required in

we are at 3% of our 10% Energy Policy Act of 1992 goal set for 2000.

California. John Deere is still

"We are on a mission to achieve fundamental changes in transportation,"

working on infrastructure

he said, and continued by introducing two new programs to target these efforts,

development and funding

the EV loaner program and the E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) Action

availability. Cummings

Plan. The Secretary's final words emphasized the need to carry on the

expressed the hope that

message that alternative fuels are a part of our national energy strategy.

government/industry

partnerships will help this

market take off.

Richard Wilson, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Assistant Administrator

for Air and Radiation, told the audience that 45 urban areas still do not meet air quality standards.

Wilson shared that in an effort to reduce emissions by 50%, EPA is considering tightening emissions

and fuel standards for 2004. He expressed the need to hasten the use of alternative fuel technologies,

and also stressed that the transportation sector must play an important role.

DOE's Assistant Secretary Dan Reicher was the final speaker to address

"Clean Cities is the most

the state of the industry. He spoke of the critical need for action and results,

important thing for Detroit,"

specifically from the public. DOE's challenges are getting more AFVs on the

said Corporate Manager for

road and ensuring more fuels are available to support them. Reicher said,

Alternative Fuels at the Chrysler

"It is the time to raise the profile of alternative fuels in state capitals and in

Corporation Mike Clement.

Congress. We need to define a vision that Clean Cities can accomplish in the

Because there will be 150,000

next decade."

Chrysler minivan flexible-fuel

vehicles on the road this year,

"My challenge to you is to create

and because E85 vehicles will

100% niche market penetration

pull ahead in the market to be #1

in each of the Clean Cities. Let's

in production volume, more

ethanol pumps are needed at

each identify a market, set a target,

retail gas stations. Clement chal-

and go for it. And, as an incentive,

lenged the audience by

we will orient the 1999 State Energy

closing with a well-received

Program to reward this challenge.

question: "if Honda can get a

This is our long-term challenge.

vehicle across the country, can't

I invite each of you to participate.

you get your customers to drive

I invite each of you to have a hand

one across town?"

in designing an Energy Department

program that meets your needs."

--Dan Reicher