The organizers of the Green Truck Summit have tapped U.S. Under Secretary for Energy Kristina Johnson, Ph.D., to deliver the keynote address at the summit in St. Louis on March 9.

Johnson, who is responsible for Department of Energy programs in energy efficiency, renewable energy, environmental management, fossil energy, nuclear energy, and energy reliability, will speak on "U.S. Opportunities for Increasing Commercial Truck Productivity."

U.S. Representative Gary Peters (Mich.), who is receiving the Green Truck Leadership Award at the event, will introduce Johnson. Peters is the author of the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009 (H.R. 3246), which contains provisions to benefit organizations that partner with the DOE to design and build the next generation of fuel-efficient commercial trucks. This legislation passed the House in September, and companion legislation is currently pending in the Senate.

The Green Truck Summit, produced jointly by the National Truck Equipment Association and Calstart, will be held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show 2010 and 46th Annual NTEA Convention. The event will focus on providing fleets with ideas for implementing green programs.

Johnson holds 129 U.S. and international patents and patents pending. She has received a number of awards, including the John Fritz Medal, and has helped found several companies, including ColorLink, Inc., SouthEast Techinventures, and Unyos.

"Our attendees are sure to benefit from the top-level insights she and Congressman Peters can provide into what is happening in Washington that will impact companies manufacturing and using hybrid and alternative fuel work trucks today and into the future," said Jim Carney, NTEA executive director.

For more information on the Green Truck Summit, visit www.ntea.com.