Welcome Coordinators

Chuck Zimmerman

Jim SniderThere was a reason why some of us were at the Diamondbacks game last night.

It was the location of the annual Clean Cities Coordinators Dinner. Once again the dinner was sponsored by DaimlerChrysler, represented by Jim Snider.

At the start of the game Jim welcomed us all there. You can listen to his comments here: Listen To MP3 Jim Snider Welcome (1 min MP3)

Thanks very much to Jim and DaimlerChrysler for bringing us together and allowing the coordinators the opportunity to get to know each other better.

I’ll have a personal interview with Jim in the next post.

Domestic Fuel coverage of the Clean Cities Congress is made possible by the following sponsors:
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Southern California Gas Company

Audio, Clean Cities Congress

Good Night For Local Sports

Chuck Zimmerman

Chase FieldThe biggest game in Phoenix last night was the Suns/Lakers playoff game (way to go Suns) but there was another game in town too.

The local boys won this one too.

In case you wonder what it was like you can watch a very short video clip here: Watch wmv file Diamondback Game (wmv file)

It was a beautiful night for baseball.

Domestic Fuel coverage of the Clean Cities Congress is made possible by the following sponsors:
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Southern California Gas Company

Clean Cities Congress, Video

What’s All The Talk About?

Lauren Ciemniak Hi, my name is Lauren Ciemniak and I’m a sophomore at Stevenson High School, who’s interested in journalism. Do you ever talk about alternative fuels in your household? This is a common subject at my dinner table. My mom always talks about E85, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles. These dinner conversations made me curious to learn more on alternative fuels.

So here I am in beautiful Phenoix at the National Clean Cities Conference, ready to learn. I am anxious to hear from guest speakers like Senator John McCain and Dr. Robert Hirsch regarding their views on alternative fuels. Many high school students don’t know anything about these options to reduce dependency on foriegn oil. Hopefully after this conference, I will be able to share my knowledge and help the next generation care more about keeping our air clean.

Domestic Fuel coverage of the Clean Cities Congress is made possible by the following sponsors:
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Southern California Gas Company

Clean Cities Congress

But enough about me, let’s talk about fuel

Peter WestYou maybe read the little bio about who I am, so I am not going to spend a lot of time introducing myself. But just in case you didn’t read it, my name is Peter West, and I am a sophomore Marketing major from Emerson College in Boston. I am spending the week in sunny (when I say sunny, I mean ridiculously hot) Phoenix, Arizona, where I will be working with registration at the Clean Cities conference. During this week, I hope to find out really what is going on in the world of alternative fuels, and why exactly they are such a big deal. The only information which has been directed at today’s youth on the threat of the wasteful society we live in, comes from over exaggerated movies on the end of the world via global warming, or from screaming talk show liberals. The youth of today is tomorrow’s economic powerhouse, and I want to know how alternative fuels can be marketed towards a younger demographic. The technology is out there, the cars are in production, now all that is needed are people willing to trade in their Hummers for more fuel efficient alternatives. It can happen, us kids just need a little information.

Domestic Fuel coverage of the Clean Cities Congress is made possible by the following sponsors:
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Southern California Gas Company

Clean Cities Congress

Blogging Crew Ready For Action

Chuck Zimmerman

Blogging CrewHere’s your blogging crew for the next several days from the Clean Cities Congress.

That’s me on the left, then Lauren, Peter and Kimberly. Actually it’s Lauren and Peter who will begin writing their posts starting tonight or tomorrow.

We’re looking forward to this. I think it will be interesting to see the perspective that these students will bring to our coverage. I hope you enjoy it too.

Domestic Fuel coverage of the Clean Cities Congress is made possible by the following sponsors:
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Southern California Gas Company

Clean Cities Congress

The Baggage Handlers

Chuck Zimmerman

Getting Registration ReadyEven though it’s Saturday afternoon and the conference doesn’t start until tomorrow, there’s plenty of work going on.

Like these busy people preparing the attendee bags that they’ll get when they register.

Registration will be open starting at 10am tomorrow.

Domestic Fuel coverage of the Clean Cities Congress is made possible by the following sponsors:
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Southern California Gas Company

Clean Cities Congress

Getting Started In Phoenix

Chuck Zimmerman

Chevy E85 TahoeI’m in Phoenix and ready for the fun to begin. Today is set-up day here at the Clean Cities Congress & Expo. That’s why you’ll see vehicles like this Chevrolet Tahoe parked outside prior to going to the trade show floor.

It’s also Cinco de Mayo festival time in downtown Phoenix. I know that was yesterday but the party is today. I also just found out that game 7 of the Phoenix/LA NBA playoffs is here tonight too. It’s definitely going to be a crowded downtown.

Domestic Fuel coverage of the Clean Cities Congress is made possible by the following sponsors:
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute Southern California Gas Company

Clean Cities Congress

E-Day at Indy

Cindy Zimmerman

Indy logo The countdown to the 2006 Indy 500 has begun – the first Indy 500 to be run on ten percent ethanol fuel. To get the momentum going, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is holding “Ethanol Day” on Thursday, May 11, featuring Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. Chuck will be covering that event live, as soon as he gets back from the Clean Cities Congress.

In addition, throughout the month of May there are five days of the Ethanol Fast Lap (May 10, 11, 17, 18, 26), where an ethanol industry representative will present that day’s fastest driver with a $2,500 check. On May 25 there will also be an Ethanol Forum, allowing industry leaders to discuss the benefits of ethanol as a performance fuel.

Ethanol, Indy Racing

ACE Says Lifting Tariff Unnecessary

Cindy Zimmerman

American Coalition For Ethanol In a press release today, the American Coalition For Ethanol also outlined several reasons why suspending the tariff on ethanol will do nothing to lower gas prices. They are simply:

Lifting the tariff is unnecessary because significant volumes of ethanol already flow in the U.S. duty-free.under the Caribbean Basin Initiative.

Lifting the tariff forces U.S. taxpayers to support the production of foreign ethanol that is already heavily subsidized in Brazil.

Ethanol supplies are indeed adequate to meet the demand created by the removal of MTBE from the fuel supply.

Lifting the tariff would undermine the growth of the domestic ethanol industry.

Ethanol