WASHINGTON - The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and the other members of the Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance continued their nationwide training program on alternative fuel at a workshop for fleet managers on July 23 in Casa Grande, Ariz.

The free workshop is the fifth in a series of 14 training seminars across the country made possible by a $1.6 million grant from the Department of Energy. The workshops cover alternative fuel quality, infrastructure, available vehicles, safety, environmental impacts, and latest technologies.

Each workshop culminates with a ride-and-drive event that gives fleet managers a chance to get behind the wheel of vehicles that run on alternative fuels. A Roush-equipped propane-fueled Ford F-250 truck owned by Ferrellgas was available for test-driving at the Casa Grande event.

"These workshops bring together four alternative fuel industries to train fleet managers on the choices and options available for fleet vehicles," said Brian Feehan, vice president of PERC. "By encouraging wider use of propane and other alternative fuel vehicles, we significantly increase our nation's environmental and energy security goals."

The Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance consists of PERC, the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Biodiesel Board, and the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation. Fuels represented include propane, ethanol, biodiesel, and compressed natural gas.

Each of the full-day collaborative workshops scheduled over the next two years will involve a site in the Department of Energy's Clean Cities program, which uses local coalitions to promote the use of alternative fuels such as propane. The Tucson Regional Clean Cities Coalition hosted the Casa Grande workshop. A future workshop is scheduled for September 9 in Denver, with more dates and locations to be announced.

To register for a workshop or view a free online webcast, visit www.altfuelsalliance.org.