DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate invites fleet managers, businesses, public organizations and transportation professionals to attend Fueling the Future: Clean Transportation for a Greener Delaware, presented in conjunction with the Delaware Clean Cities Coalition from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, 1131 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. To register for the event, or for more information, visit de.gov/fuelingthefuture. Registration is open through Wednesday, May 11.

“Delawareans have demonstrated a growing interest in driving propane, natural gas and electric vehicles, and the accessibility to these alternative fuels is expanding,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “This event is a great opportunity to learn what vehicles are available and the benefits of choosing them – an alternative fuel vehicle is an investment in a cleaner future and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other negative impacts to air quality.”

At this one-day interactive event, attendees will explore the benefits of cleaner alternative fuels for transportation, including propane auto gas, natural gas and electricity. Fueling the Future will feature the announcement of recipients of the Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Grants by Governor Jack Markell, informative presentations and panel discussions, displays from 11 vendors and a raffle to win an electric vehicle charging station. Fueling the Future participants also will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of alternative-fueled cars and ride in alternative-fueled commercial vehicles. Vehicles on display will include: propane and natural gas school buses, trucks, emergency vehicles and vans, as well as passenger electric vehicles such as the BMW i3 and the Nissan Leaf.

Expert panelists and vendors will showcase options for transitioning fleets to alternative fuels; present funding opportunities and success stories, and dispel common misconceptions about clean transportation. Alternative-fueled vehicles are available in almost every vehicle class, from passenger sedans and pickup trucks to school buses and heavy-duty trucks, making them ideal for virtually any fleet.

“The costs of fueling a fleet and the carbon footprint of traditional gas and diesel vehicles can be substantial,” said Clean Transportation Policy Analyst Kathy Harris, Division of Energy & Climate. “The transportation sector in Delaware accounts for about 34 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Cleaner alternative fuels enable fleet managers to improve environmental stewardship while offering more consistent and often lower fuel costs than conventional fuels.”

“When it comes to climate preparation and resiliency, the importance of using alternative fuels cannot be overstated,” Harris continued, noting the importance of programs such as the Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program to support projects that reduce harmful climate change-inducing emissions in Delaware through alternative fuel infrastructure development. “Delaware’s growing alternative fuel network offers progressive opportunities for improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions threatening our state. We invite Delaware’s transportation professionals to be part of this environmentally-responsible movement.”

Fueling the Future is hosted by the Delaware Clean Cities Coalition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program. The coalition is housed within the Delaware Division of Energy & Climate, and comprises more than 40 stakeholders from state and local governments, fuel suppliers, vehicle retailers, fleet owners, non-profit organizations and other interested parties.

For more information on clean transportation initiatives, rebates and funding opportunities offered through the Division of Energy & Climate, visit de.gov/cleantransportation.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 163

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