March 9, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality will be presenting the “Michigan Clean Fleet Conference” on March 22 in Detroit. This one-day conference is designed to educate fleet managers, public officials, trucking companies, school districts, and other stakeholders on the various strategies, fuels, and technologies available in the marketplace to assist in conserving fuel, decreasing emissions, and saving money.

Air quality issues in the state of Michigan have encouraged efforts to investigate options for reducing emissions in both heavy and light duty vehicles, particularly diesel powered vehicles. Emissions from diesel engines contribute to smog, fine particles, and air toxics, and lead to public health implications such as asthma, respiratory, and cardiovascular illness.

The conference, jointly hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NextEnergy, DEQ, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, will address solutions to current environmental and energy concerns that are available and affordable in today's marketplace. There will be networking opportunities with technology vendors, government officials, and fleet managers.

The cost of registration to attend the full day, including lunch, is $35. Interested parties can register online at www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops and click on “Upcoming DEQ Workshops.” For registration information, contact the Environmental Assistance Center, (800) 662-9278, or E-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov. For content information, contact Rachel Kuntzsch, NextEnergy Center, (313) 833-0100 x180, or E-mail at rachel@kbsincorporated.com.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised March 9, 2006 by Pat Watson