NAFA Goes To Washington, Not Kidding About Alternative Fuels

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The calendar read April 1, but on that Tuesday morning NAFA proved their commitment to the benefits of alternative fuels. Top leaders from the Association conducted a congressional briefing on alternative fuels and federal fuel policies in the Capitol Visitor Center Auditorium in Washington, DC.

The briefing, titled "Converting Vehicle Fleets to Alternative Fuels: Federal Policies Key for Reducing U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil," was hosted by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and produced in coordination with Transportation Energy Partners (TEP) and NAFA.

"I thought the NAFA members who took part in this briefing did a phenomenal job," said NAFA Chief Executive Officer Phillip E. Russo, CAE. "They were able to approach the topic at both a high, precise, and analytical level, and then parse that to show what it all means to individual fleets and to the benefit of the nation."

Four NAFA members, representing corporate, government, utility, and university fleets from across the U.S. They spoke at the briefing, discussing why they are converting their fleets, the challenges they face, and the importance of federal and state incentives in overcoming these challenges. They were:

• Claude T. Masters, CAFM, Manager of Acquisition and Fuel, Florida Power & Light, and President of NAFA Fleet Management Association
• Richard Battersby, CAFM, Director of Fleet Services, University of California at Davis, and Vice Chair of NAFA’s Fuels & Technology Advisory Council. Battersby is also Executive Director, East Bay Clean Cities Coalition, CA and a Board Member of Transportation Energy Partners
• Jeffery L. Jeter, Fleet Manager, Chesterfield County, Virginia and Treasurer of NAFA.
• Steven W. Saltzgiver, Vice President of Fleet Management, Republic Services Inc., and Chair of NAFA’s Government Affairs Committee

The purpose of the briefing was to demonstrate to congressional leaders and staff members the strides public and private sector fleet managers in nearly every state are making in converting to alternative fuels (e.g., biofuels, electricity, natural gas, propane).

"NAFA believes in pursuing the most positive solutions and resources that keep businesses and organizations performing at their peak," Russo added. "This is an example of the intellectual capital within NAFA, and how we are using that to make fleets, and the nation, better and more sustainable."  

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