FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2003     
Contact: Jean Wasp, Media Relations, (707) 664-2057

Cars Fueled by Compressed Air, Bio-diesel and Hydrogen
Highlight "Clearing the Air" Transportation Conference, Nov. 15

The latest in alternative personal modes of transportation - fueled by compressed air, bio-diesel, hydrogen fuel cells, alcohol, electricity, natural gas - will be on view at a Nov. 15 conference at Sonoma State University.

The conference, called "Clearing the Air: Transportation and Growth's Effects on Global Climate Change," will be held in the campus Commons from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The vehicles will be on display in the campus parking lot G.

The day-long event will also feature panel discussions that focus on the transportation policies and initiatives affecting Sonoma and Marin counties, the problems of increasing public transit ridership, and alternatives to gridlocks.

The panels include:“How Do We Increase Public Transit Ridership”? — Bryan Albee of Sonoma County Transit, Elizabeth Deakins of the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Berkeley, and Golden Gate Transit.

“What Are Our Alternatives to Gridlock”? — Stuart Cohen, Janet Spilman of Sonoma County Transit Authority, and Janet Stone of the Green Belt Alliance address planning and development topics facing a car-centric county.

“How Do We Clean the Air - And Who’s Paying For It”? — Vice Mayor of Rohnert Park Jack MacKenzie, Marin County Board of Supervisor Chairman Steve Kinsey, and other officials discuss transportation policies and initiatives effecting Sonoma and Marin counties.

Other presentations include a multimedia presentation on a new car powered by compressed air developed in France, and information on the Car Lite program.

Keynote speaker is Stuart Cohen, Executive Director of the Transportation and Land Use Coalition, a partnership of over 90 environmental, social justice, labor and community groups working to promote transportation investments that hope to create “a more environmentally sustainable and socially-just Bay Area.”

Founded in 1997 and based in Oakland, TALC’s says its combination of policy analysis, reports, media advocacy and grassroots campaigns have shifted over $1 billion towards sustainable transportation investments in the Bay Area.

Admission to the conference is $8 online until Nov. 1 and $12 at the door. For further information, contact Jean Wasp, (707) 664-2057, or visit the web site at www.sonoma.ed/projects/climatechange.

CAPTION: Above, the Ford Th!nk EV.