Friday, May 15, 1998
2:00-4:00 p.m., 2318 Rayburn House Office Building

You are invited to a briefing on the research, development and deployment of advanced technology vehicles, which will be followed by an opportunity to "Ride & Drive" these ultra-clean, highly efficient vehicles.

Speakers at the briefing will include:

• Karl Thidemann, director of marketing, Solectria Corporation;

• Nancy Hazard, associate director, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and director of the Tour De Sol;

• Skip Stiles, minority legislative director, House Science Committee; and

• Kathryn Clay, legislative assistant to Senator Daniel P. Moynihan (Clay's Ph.D. work focused on advanced technology vehicles.)

The briefing is being co-sponsored by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, coordinator of the "Tour De Sol" - the nation's largest electric vehicle road rally, which travels from New York City to Washington D.C. on May 8-14.

Congress is facing increasing pressure to address the problems caused by use of motor vehicles, including:

• Global climate change caused by increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases of which transportation is the fastest growing source;

• Escalating oil imports, which now contribute $50 billion annually to the U.S. trade deficit; and

• Continued growth in vehicle miles traveled, which is predicted to overwhelm recent improvements in air quality.

As Congress considers what to do about these problems, it is important to understand the phenomenal improvements taking place in automobile technology. These technological breakthroughs can and will make major contributions toward achieving the national goals of clean air, energy security and climate change protection. Providing information about these new advanced technologies to Congress will enable legislators to make more informed policy decisions about how to support and regulate vehicles. The briefing will include discussion of existing legislation and current legislative opportunities to promote research, development and deployment of advanced vehicle technologies.>

This briefing will take place in 2318 Rayburn House Office Building and the Ride & Drive will be held just outside the Rayburn building at the "Rayburn Horseshoe" on South Capitol Street. The demonstration will include electric vehicles from Solectria, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer; Toyota's new hybrid-electric Prius; and a Honda advanced technology vehicle.

The briefing is free and open to the public with no reservations required. For more information, contact Michael Chelius at (202) 662-1885.