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California's Transportation Energy Future Conference & Blue Sky Awards Luncheon Set for Dec. 1 at Los Angeles Convention Center

Posted on: Monday, 31 October 2005, 12:00 CST

CALSTART's ``2020'' Conference Shows Actions Needed; Brings Together Transportation Industry and Policy Leaders to Outline Steps to Increase Energy Efficiency, Security, and Fuel Diversity

Soaring gas prices, geopolitical instability, energy security risks, economic threats, and global warming: the costs of petroleum dependence have never been higher, but the potential for change has never been greater.

Set for December 1st in downtown Los Angeles, CALSTART's 2nd annual 2005 California's Transportation Energy Future Conference, also known as the "2020" conference, will explore these emerging challenges and the potential changes they will foster, and will highlight the policies, actions, methods, and products that can provide solutions. The conference will chart a course towards the year 2020 and a path to a better, more secure transportation energy future in California.

The 2020 conference is organized around the idea that California can become a model state for transportation energy over the next 15 years, stretching and reducing conventional fuel use through increased vehicle efficiency and an expansion of fuel diversity through the increased use of alternative fuels. As a result, California can become more secure, create more business opportunities, and become more prosperous, improving the welfare of its citizens.

The conference features a dynamic roster of high-level speakers and discussions of pertinent strategies to achieve California's "2020" goals. Highlighting the list is former CIA director James Woolsey. Woolsey will discuss the economic and political dangers of relying on the Middle East for oil as well as the policies and strategies that California should pursue regarding transportation energy and energy security.

Expanding upon Woolsey's theme, the first conference session will address the "Changing Landscape of California Oil Consumption," and will discuss the developments over the past year that are contributing to the changing outlook for oil consumption in California.

The second session will address the "Outlook for Collaboration in California" by focusing on the growing number of players advocating the need to expand fuel diversity and extend conventional fuel use, the thoughts on this move by those within the industry, the auto industry's ability to assist with this move, and a look at innovative partnerships working to make progress.

CALSTART plans to unveil and present a new pro-business, state-level, poly-fuel and -strategy initiative on transportation energy during this session.

The third session, titled "Demonstrating Success at the State Level," will look at examples where the transportation energy model was changed, examining various communities and identifying what led to the successful emergence and adoption of these new approaches.

Finally, the conference will host a roundtable by leading experts on "How California Can Become a Model State for Transportation Energy," discussing whether and how California can seize the initiative, lead the country on transportation energy security, and whether the pursuit of transportation energy security goals can increase the prosperity and welfare of the state's inhabitants.

CALSTART will also use the occasion to present its prestigious "Blue Sky" Awards during the mid-day luncheon. These awards recognize outstanding efforts to address state, national, and international clean air goals. Combined with the conference and its roster of engaging speakers, this will be a must-attend event.

The 2005 sponsors reflect the diversity and breadth of the conference's support, and its role in identifying what's coming next in current and emerging methods of petroleum consumption reduction technologies. Sponsors to date include:

-- Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Daimler Chrysler; FedEx Express; The California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership; The South Coast Air Quality Management District; The California Energy Commission (CEC); Bosch; National Biodiesel Board; Southern California Gas Company; Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA); The Diesel Technology Forum; Global Electric Motorcars (GEM); California Air Resources Board (CARB); NuRide; Southern California Edison; and American Honda.

Early registration discounts are available for the 2020 Conference through November 23, 2005. One low price covers conference registration AND the Blue Sky Awards luncheon. Read more information, view an updated agenda, and register today at: www.California2020.com.

CALSTART is the California operating division of WestStart-CALSTART, North America's leading advanced transportation technologies consortium. It is a fuel-neutral, participant-supported organization of more than 120 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 is playing a leading national role in facilitating the development of advanced propulsion systems and alternative fuels in the transit and heavy-duty vehicle industry, and in new systems for personal mobility. Visit www.calstart.org for more information.

Source: Business Wire

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