Domestic Fuel

Our energy bill discussion this morning covered a lot of ground.

Over the coming days I’ll try to bring you segments of it.

To get started here’s a selection which includes each participant answering the question of what he thinks is most important piece of legislation and why.

Here’s their response: Energy Bill Roundtable (12 min MP3)

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Our energy roundtable moderator this morning was Andrew Littlefair, CEO of Clean Energy.

Before getting into the discussion he gave an overview of energy legislation.

You can hear his introduction here: Andrew Littlefair Introductory Remarks (5 min MP3)

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The Executive Director of the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute is Annalloyd Thomason.

We heard from her on stage earlier this week and to get to know her better and learn a little more about AFVI I sat down with her for a short interview.

Annalloyd explains how she and her husband Leo, started their own company and had the opportunity to take over the production of the Clean Cities Congress a couple of years ago.

You can listen to my interview with Annalloyd here: Annalloyd Thomason Interview (6 min MP3)

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The band at our closing reception was Still Cruisin led by founder and drummer Bill Ball.

By night he’s a rock and roller. By day he’s the Transportation Director for the Tucson Unified School District. An interesting combination Bill. And one we enjoyed at the reception.

On a break I interviewed Bill to find out what he does and what he gets out of the Clean Cities Congress. You can listen to my interview with Bill here: Bill Ball Interview (2 min MP3)

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On my way out of the convention center yesterday I stopped by the Ride & Drive and found myself in a Global Electric Motorcars vehicle.

Riding with me is the company’s CEO, Lawrence Oswald. He held the microphone while I drove and interviewed him so you’ll hear some road noise.

Larry tells us about his company and the vehicles they make. He makes a point that the electric vehicle is perfect for in-town driving for short distances where you can be on streets with relatively slow speed limits. With no engine emissions the vehicle is certainly not putting particulates into the air.

You can hear the interview here: Larry Oswald Interview (4 min MP3)

I also had to take a short video clip too, not something I recommend to the untrained: Ride & Drive (WMV file)

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Our sponsor for coverage of the Clean Cities Congress is Southern California Gas Company, a Sempra Energy Utility. So I was very happy to meet the guys pictured here. They are Mike Franco, Stan Sinclair, Ed Harte and Michael Bolin.

Ed volunteered for my interview so we can learn more about them and their company. SoCal has invested in the infrastructure to supply natural gas in southern California and it’s their fastest growing product area right now. Besides being a supplier to consumers and businesses they have a training program and see continuted growth in this market.

You can learn a lot more about Sempra Energy in my interview with Ed Harte: Ed Harte Interview (8 min MP3)

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Annabel Cook, Honda, pictured here with Ed Huestis, City of Vacaville, CA, brought Ed to me and I’m glad she did. Besides the fact that Ed is just a great guy to know he’s got an interesting story.

Ed drove here in a Honda NG vehicle. In the picture they’re standing in front of a new Civic which was unveiled here at the Congress yesterday. I’m pretty sure Ed’s got his eyes on a new one now.

I interviewed Ed so you can hear his story. He describes what he does and how Vacaville not only works to utilize alternative fuel vehicles in their operations but how they offer incentive programs to residents who invest in alt fuel vehicles themselves.

I think you’ll enjoy the interview: Ed Huestis Interview (9 min MP3)

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Giving us a light-hearted look at alternative fuels as only he can, Jim Kenzie, Chief Auto Reviewer for the Toronto Star spoke at our morning session today.

This isn’t Jim’s first appearance at the Clean Cities Congress. Knowing that I figured he had to be good. That’s how you get invited back. I’m hoping for the same Jim!

Jim is from Canada so he also brings a more international perspective from a country that has become a huge supplier of oil to the United States. I think you’ll enjoy listening to him. I’m posting a portion of his presentation for you here: Jim Kenzie Speech (10 min MP3)

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This morning’s opening session featured a speech by J.J. Brown, Legislative Aide for Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. He just finished.

This is a long audio file but I think he gave an excellent talk putting into perspective the oil and energy situation on a worldwide level.

Some points that he made include the following. He wanted to bust the myth that oil company profits and the salaries of their CEO’s is responsible for the high price of gas. It’s just not true. He said that taxing oil company profits and giving that money to tax funded government programs like Medicare won’t help generate a single drop of oil. The real reason behind oil price increases he says is the supply and demand situation. Demand is outpacing supply. Simple economics. In fact, he says that the only way our oil companies can hope to compete and develop new resources is with profits which are a result of demand.

One point he made that I thought helped put things in perspective is how much of our world’s oil supply is owned by governments. Our government owns none by comparison. Our oil companies own a fraction of the current oil supply.

In the short term he thinks alternative fuels will go a long way to help us feed our hunger for fuel. He said that his boss, the Senator, fully supports renewable fuel alternatives and providing assistance to companies and organizations who want to build facilities to develop the various alternatives.

I recommend you listen to his talk: JJ Brown Speech (30 min MP3)

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Our keynote speaker at lunch today was Robert Howard, VP of Corporate Planning and Logistics for Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

I have his speech for you here. I started recording just after he started. He starts out talking about partnerships and what companies like Honda are doing. He says that PG&E’s goal is to be the best clean air fleet in the country.

You can hear his speech here: Robert Howard Speech (11 min MP3)

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As I mentioned in an earlier post today, American Honda Company unveiled a new alternative fuel vehicle. It’s the 2006 Civic GX NG. Pictured second from the right in this group of Honda representatives is Gunnar Lindstrom. Gunnar emceed today’s awards luncheon and I’ll have more on those later.

I interviewed Gunnar about what’s new from Honda in the alternative fuels arena. Besides the new Civic he says they’ve got lots of plans to continue their support for fuel efficient vehicles.

You can hear my interview with him here: Gunnar Lindstrom Interview (4 min MP3)

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James Boyd is a member of the California Energy Commission and he took the stage to talk about how California is “Leading The Way.”

I got to talk with him just before the morning session kicked off. He says that California is often cast in a leadership role in the quest to move to alternative energy.

He explains some of the things his Commission is doing in light of the Governator’s request for a biofuels plan.

You can hear his speech here: James Boyd Interview (4 min MP3)

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On this morning’s agenda was Dr. Robert Hirsch, Senior Program Advisor, Science Applications International Corporation.

Hirsch’s talk is titled, “Peak Oil – And Then What?”

He starts out explaining what he means by peaking. His presentation included slides which I don’t have so keep that in mind as you listen

You can hear his speech here: Dr. Robert Hirsch Speech (22 min MP3)

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Welcoming everyone to the Clean Cities Congress this morning was Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon.

Gordon talks about how the city is involved in using alternative fuels.

He also said that he would appreciate us doing a little shopping while we’re here too.

You can hear his speech here: Mayor Phil Gordon Speech (5 min MP3)

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The lady who is making it all happen here in Phoenix is the Executive Director of the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute. She’s Annalloyd Thomason. Actually, I’m sure she’ll say it was a lot of effort from a lot of people. But she’s been in constant motion since I’ve been here working the radio and making sure everything is running smoothly.

On the stage this morning Annalloyd welcomed the Congress participants.

You can hear her speech here: Annalloyd Thomason Speech (6 min MP3)

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