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Transportation Fuels for the Future from the Western Governors’ Association. University of Montana Students Produce Program on Alternative Fuels

Through their 2006 resolution, “Transportation Fuels for the Future,” Western Governors placed a priority on assessing the West’s alternative and replacement fuels to supplement traditional sources.

Transportation fuels are a critical component of the West’s energy portfolio. Of the 20 million barrels (840 million gallons) of oil consumed each day in the United States, 68 percent is used in the transportation sector. The Western states are in an excellent position to become key producers of alternative fuels, which will increase national security, encourage economic development, and promote responsible environmental stewardship.

This year, the Western Governors’ Association assembled stakeholders to begin developing a policy roadmap for transportation fuels in the region. The Governors created the Transportation Fuels Advisory Committee to oversee this initiative, and six working groups were formed to develop reports on: hydrogen, biofuels, bio- and renewable-diesel, coal-to-liquids, compressed natural gas/propane and electricity. A report was also done on ways to increase vehicle fuel efficiency. See links for draft reports below.

A workshop was held Oct 10-12 at the Warwick Hotel in Denver. Attendees considered strategies to boost the market share for each alternative fuel and to propose additional recommendations. The workshop examined alternative incentives and standards, including an excellent discussion of the low carbon fuel standard.

— click below for workshop presentations http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/transfuels/index.html

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UM STUDENTS PRODUCE PROGRAM ON ALTERNATIVE FUELS

The University of Montana student-produced television magazine "Montana Journal: Where Are The Alternative Fuels?" will premiere soon on Montana PBS (KUFM-TV in Missoula and KUSM-TV in Bozeman).

The program will air at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25. It will repeat at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, and 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 28.

In 2005 the Montana Legislature passed incentives to encourage more biodiesel and ethanol production in the state. Has it made any difference to Montanans at the fuel pump? This program examines current production, future possibilities and whether these fuels really solve the problems politicians say they will.

Montana Journal is now in its 10th year of production and is produced by senior-level students in the UM School of Journalism’s radio-television department. John Twiggs, a radio-TV adjunct instructor and Montana PBS producer, teaches the class and oversees the student production.

Montana PBS is a service of UM and Montana State University-Bozeman.

http://news.umt.edu/index.asp?sec=1&too=100&eve=8&dat=10/19/2007&npa=1862

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