Letter from the Mayor
Let me take this opportunity to welcome each and every one of you to this unique and
special conference sponsored by the City of Austin. You will have an opportunity over two days to see the very latest in transportation technology for improved fuel efficiency
and emissions reductions and, in particular, developments related to plug-in hybrid electric In January 2006, Austin Energy launched the national Plug-In Partners campaign to encourage technical development and demonstrate an existing market for PHEVs. PHEVs allow for optimization of readily available clean-energy resources and represent a sustainable transportation solution that can be delivered today. The Plug-In Partners national campaign was a natural fit for the Austin community, which has a long history of achievement on the energy and environmental fronts. Last year we launched one of the nation’s most comprehensive community plans to help address global warming. The Austin Climate Protection Plan set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality in all municipal fleets, facilities and operations 2020. This plan includes dramatic increases in our already award-winning energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, and we believe PHEVs can play a crucial role in complimenting and enhancing these efforts. So again, welcome to a community where quality of life receives the highest priority. This is a community that has set aside 60,000 acres to protect water resources, provide habitat for endangered species and guarantee open space in a rapidly growing urban setting. Austin is home to one of the largest bat colonies in the country, nestled under downtown bridges that cross Lady Bird Lake. Take a moment at twilight this week to witness a million bats taking flight in search for food. Take a swim in Barton Springs, the iconic centerpiece of our urban core, fed by the third largest spring in the country. And, enjoy the wide range of entertainment that makes Austin the “Live Music Capital of the World.” I hope you enjoy the conference and find it useful to your efforts. While you are here, I encourage you to sign our petition that calls on auto makers to follow through on a pledge all have recently made – to begin the mass production of PHEVs and other transportation changing technologies. Sincerely, |
Dear Austin Energy/AltCAr Expo & Conference Attendees:
