ISSUE NUMBER ONE...

ISSUE NUMBER ONE...

The crowd fell silent, as one of television's best-known and boldest political talk show hosts walked

across the stage and settled into his chair. But this time, instead of his regular group, Eleanor Cliff

and Morton Kondracke, John McLaughlin was joined by DOE's Dan Reicher, EPA's Margo Oge,

Congressman Jim Nussle (R-IA), and Jim Potts of Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO).

And then, as if his entrance had not already grabbed the audience's attention, McLaughlin's well-

known, booming voice called the session to order, "ISSUE NUMBER ONE..."

he Clean Cities Talk Show, or "alternative McLaughlin

that she believes clean air

Group," gave the audience a unique opportunity to

issues are a major driver

John McLaughlin hosted the

learn the inside story on alternative fuels from the Clinton

for alternative fuels, and

unique "Clean CitiesTalk Show.

Administration, private industry, and the United States

EPA's intention is to be a

Congress. In his opening remarks, McLaughlin said he had

leader in the development of the alternative fuels market.

accepted the assignment to participate in the conference

The discussion then turned to the viability of each alternative

because he wanted an issue that was "from a world view

fuel, and whether there is a single best prospect. Potts, Vice

and from a policy view, very important, very contentious,

President of Environment, for PEPCO, discussed the benefits

and very complex." Issue number one was just that:

of electric vehicles. Nussle expressed his belief that non-fossil-

based renewable alternatives such as ethanol show the most

"Alternative Fuels...Economy Buster or Oil Bluster?" The

promise. McLaughlin shared his satisfaction with a CNG

four panelists delved into issues that surround the finite

vehicle, relating his experience with the Honda CNG Civic

supply of oil, the energy security of the United States, and

GX, which he drove on loan during the week prior to the

the potential of a war for oil. "Oil is a one time windfall,"

conference. Reicher offered the more fuel-neutral standpoint

said Reicher, DOE's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency

that different niche markets warrant different fuels, and that

and Renewable Energy. Congressman Nussle expanded on

there may not be one "best" alternative fuel to meet the

Reicher 's remark, saying the inevitable depletion of oil is

like a fight over who needs it and who has it. "The next

country's diverse needs. Oge agreed, adding that using any

series of wars is going to be largely economic. It's not going

alternative fuel is better than sticking with conventional fuels

to be territorial...it won't be a land grab," said Nussle. The

and choosing no alternative at all.

group agreed that national security is directly connected to

he floor then opened for questions, and the discussion

oil, but with the price of gasoline at an unprecedented low,

grew even livelier. A debate over legislation for all

a rallying cry is needed to alert the nation to its decreasing

alternative fuels and the "exoticness" of fuel cells and

oil supply and to boost alternative fuels as a commercially

other advanced technology vehicles proved thought pro-

viable option.

voking as well as entertaining. Watch out, Cliff and

cLaughlin directed the next question, "Issue Number

Kondracke, the "alternative McLaughlin Group" may be

Two: Clean Air or Environmental Scare?" to Margo

ready for prime time!

Oge, director of EPA's Office of Mobile Sources. Oge stated

CLEAN CITIES TABLE TALKS

For more detailed information about the table talk presentations, go to page 13.

The national conference has always been a hallmark of the

could migrate from table to table and engage experts in

Clean Cities Program, and in just 4 short years it has evolved

one-on-one personal discussions on topics including niche

markets for AFVs, air quality data, training, EPAct and the

to become a premier event for the alternative fuels industry.

federal fleet requirements, products from the automakers, and

Each year you can expect something new--an approach more

two new Clean Cities products--the Customer Identification

different and innovative than the typical "talking head" for-

Database and AFV Fleet Buyer's Guide. (See page 13 for a

mat. In Atlanta, it was the "Carson-esque" talk show. In

complete list of table talk sessions and contact information.)

Long Beach, it was the training workshop focus. This year,

the word was "table talk."

Although no one knew what to expect with this non-

traditional format, participants seemed to enjoy planning

The basic premise of the table talk format is to allow

their own agendas and discussing the issues with table

conference participants to learn about what's important to

talk presenters on a more personal level.

them. By providing an opportunity to pick and choose

from a host of topics and to do it in a way that maximizes

For more information on table talk presentations and

networking time and fosters more focused, intimate

for conference proceedings, check out the Clean Cities

discussions, the results will carry over into working

Web site at www.ccities.doe.gov or call the National

relationships and productive partnerships back at the office.

Alternative Fuels Hotline at 800-423-1DOE.

Clean Cities table talk sessions were held all 3 days of the

conference in multiple, half-hour time frames. Attendees