From the Office of the Executive Director

Dear Friends:

As summer comes to a close, alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles are still making news as valuable options to gasoline-powered vehicles. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) continues to recognize the importance of alternative fuels, and it has recently announced that it will invest in developing two Bioenergy Research Centers. DOE tasks these centers with further research and development of alternative fuels, placing a strong emphasis on cellulosic ethanol. Our eNews story, "DOE Bioenergy Research Centers Will Focus on Cellulosic Ethanol Development," elaborates more on the project.

Ethanol is also making headlines as twelve new E85-compatible vehicles have been announced for model year 2007. DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, and Nissan are each introducing new flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). These vehicles bring the total number of FFVs available to thirty-one, giving consumers a wide variety of alternative fuel vehicles from which to choose! A rundown of the new FFVs can be found in the eNews article, "Twelve New Flexible Fuel Vehicles To Debut in 2007."

Another alternative fuel gaining recognition is biodiesel, which recently secured a place in the eleventh edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. You can read more about this in our story, "'Biodiesel' Makes It into Merriam-Webster's Dictionary!"

National AFV Day Odyssey is approaching quickly, and with fifty-four sites and counting on board and with the help of all our generous partners and sponsors, it looks to be quite a successful event! If you have not done so already, please mark your calendars for October 12, and prepare to join in the celebration! To find a local Odyssey site near you, visit www.nationalafvdayodyssey.org, and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance to you in any way.

Sincerely,

Al Ebron
NAFTC Executive Director

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NAFTC's National Headquarters, Morgantown, WV NAFTC photo