WestStart, the U.S. Army National Automotive Center and the U.S. Department of Transportation are hosting the 3rd annual, "Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Setting the Direction for Advanced Technologies and Fuels" conference, scheduled Feb. 19-21, in Tempe, Ariz.

This is the nation's leading conference focused specifically on the latest trends related to advanced propulsion systems and fuels for clean heavy-duty vehicles.
The conference, to be held at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, will feature a number of leading speakers from the public and private sectors.
Among those scheduled to speak are Brig. Gen. Roger Nadeau, U.S. Army ("Energy Efficiency as a National Priority"); Anthony Cook, Chief Engineer at International Truck and Engine Corp. ("On-Road Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Will Diesels Still Dominate After 2007?"); and Michael Walsh, a global expert in air quality issues and policies ("The Global Impacts of Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions").
Invited to speak at the conference are U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., ("Energy Efficiency as a Means to Improve Energy Security and Reduce Global Warming"), and Federal Transit Administrator Jennifer Dorn ("The Importance of Advanced Technologies and Fuels in the Transit Industry").
Among other speakers are Rick Fernandez, general manager of AC Transit, Dr. Chung Liu, deputy director of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Thomas Kieffer, director of marketing for Cummins Engines.
The agenda will also include leading executives from truck and engine manufacturing companies, advanced technology companies, alternative fuel and oil firms, as well as high-ranking officials from the U.S. Army National Automotive Center and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The conference is designed for individuals and companies who are part of the heavy-duty vehicle industry -- manufacturers, fuel providers, suppliers, and technology developers -- as well as users of heavy-duty vehicles.
The conference is designed to provide updates on the leading approaches as the manufacturers approach the EPA's 2007-2010 phased-in on-road heavy-duty vehicle emission standards. Though only five years away, there seems to be little consensus on the best approach to meet these demanding standards. A number of new technological solutions are being commercialized to address emissions from heavy-duty vehicles but challenges remain -- economic, technological, and political.
The day-and-a-half conference provides attendees with a chance to learn about the latest drivers, trends and progress in advanced drive train and propulsions systems, technologies and fuels for heavy-duty vehicles. This conference is widely recognized as one of the best opportunities to get updates on a wide variety of approaches -- from advanced low-sulfur diesel to natural on the fuel side to new diesel engines to hybrid electric trucks on the power train side.
Two new special sessions have been added to this year's agenda. In addition to on-road vehicles, the conference will discuss new regulations and clean technologies for off-road vehicles. There also will be a special session on strategies being used in non-attainment areas to meet air quality standards. Finally, attendees will have the opportunity to give their own views about the direction for advanced fuels and technologies in a specially designed "Delphi" survey, with results discussed during the conference.
This conference is designed to be a forum at which attendees hear and participate in discussions on the latest trends affecting advanced technologies and fuels for heavy-duty vehicles. Attendees will be provided valuable strategic partnership development opportunities with other executives, colleagues and decision-makers in industry and government. Representatives from both the traditional and non-traditional heavy-duty vehicle industry are invited to come and participate in this exciting and unique conference.
For further information, including a copy of the agenda, contact Susan Romeo at WestStart, (626) 744-5683 or visit www.weststart.org.