NAFTC To Conduct Petroleum Reduction Technologies in Seattle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 5, 2012
CONTACT: Judy Moore, National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
304-293-7882 (office), 204-669-4870 (cell)
Judy.Moore@mail.wvu.edu
NAFTC To Conduct Petroleum Reduction Technologies in Seattle
NAFTC To Co-Host Training Workshop at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
A training session focused on sharing key information about how new technologies can keep
transportation fleets efficient and vital while reducing the use of petroleum will be conducted on
November 6 at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport in Seattle, Washington.
The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), a program of West Virginia
University, created a comprehensive curriculum focused on Petroleum Reduction Technologies
(PRT), as part of the Clean Cities Learning Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
Clean Cities Initiative.
The Seattle event is the fourth in a series of six regional PRT training workshops. The NAFTC,
Western Washington Clean Cities, and Peninsula Community College will co-host the event.
“We are excited to partner with Western Washington Clean Cities and Peninsula College to bring
this event to the Pacific Northwest,” NAFTC executive director Al Ebron said. “We look
forward to the opportunity to help inform the public about new developments in alternative fuel
and advanced technology vehicles as we help them seek out petroleum alternatives.”
The training was developed specifically for educators and coordinators, who will disseminate
their knowledge on PRT to a number of different audiences. The workshop, a train-the-trainer
session, will be conducted by Cathy Mezera of the NAFTC and Stephanie Meyn from Western
Washington Clean Cities. The day will be divided into three parts. The morning session will
focus on the entire PRT curriculum.
The PRT curriculum has sections on each of the major alternative fuels: biodiesel, ethanol,
natural gas, propane, hydrogen, and electric drive, as well as sections on fuel economy, idle
reduction, fleet applications, and an overview of the importance of petroleum reduction
technologies.

The second part of the day’s training will begin with a demonstration on “The Importance of
Electric Drive: The Compelling Case for Electric Drive in Ground Support Equipment at
Seattle-Tacoma Airport” by Meyn and Angela Hawk of Alaska Airlines. Participants in the
training will then have the opportunity to tour the Seattle Tacoma International Airport’s
facilities; the airport uses every major alternative fuel except ethanol in its daily operations.
The day will conclude with presentations on natural gas fleet applications. Representatives from
Yellow Cab Seattle will discuss their fleet experience with natural gas.
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About the Clean Cities Learning Program and the NAFTC.
The Clean Cities Learning Program is a project funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) Clean Cities Initiative under Award Number DE-EE0001696. Developed by the
National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), West Virginia University, and its
partners, the Clean Cities Learning Program will raise awareness and foster a greater
understanding of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. This effort will provide
Clean Cities coalitions and other stakeholders with state-of-the art curricula and training,
education and outreach materials, and a concentrated marketing and communications plan.
One of the most unique aspects of this project is the focus on developing a nationwide
partnership between U.S. DOE Clean Cities coalitions and NAFTC National Training Centers.
This partnership will provide target audiences with awareness and technical education that
encourage decisions to adopt vehicles and fuels that will significantly reduce the consumption of
petroleum-based fuels. The project includes the development of two curriculums, First
Responder Safety Training and Petroleum Reduction Technologies.
The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), a program of West Virginia
University, was founded in 1992. The NAFTC manages education and outreach programs and
activities, develops curricula, and conducts training on subject matter related to alternative fuel
and advanced technology vehicles. The NAFTC works with colleges, community colleges and
high schools around the country to develop training programs for dissemination at the local level.
The organization consists of approximately 50 National and Associate Training Centers that
utilize its curriculum and training materials. The NAFTC is also the developer and coordinator of
National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey, the largest nationwide promotion and
education event for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.