WASHINGTON - The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and other members of the Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance continued their nationwide training program on alternative fuel at a workshop for fleet managers on June 24 in Hoover, Ala. Workshops are scheduled to continue over the next two years, with the next one scheduled July 22 in Arizona.

The Hoover workshop was the third in a series of 14 training seminars across the country made possible by a $1.6 million grant from the Energy Department. The workshops cover alternative fuel quality, infrastructure, available vehicles, safety, and environmental impacts, and culminate with a ride-and-drive event that gives fleet managers a chance to get behind the wheel of vehicles that run on alternative fuels, including a propane-powered Mercury Grand Marquis displayed by Alliance AutoGas.

"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 increase our environmental and national 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 full-day collaborative workshop scheduled over the next two years will involve a site in the Energy Department's Clean Cities program, which uses local coalitions to promote the use of alternative fuels such as propane. Future workshops, free for all registrants, are scheduled for July 22 in Casa Grande, Ariz., and September 9 in Denver, with more dates and locations to be announced soon.

The alliance will also use the grant funds for other purposes, including:

• Train Clean Cities coordinators as public speakers.

• Train primary stakeholders on fire safety issues.

• Increase training for technicians from original equipment manufacturers.

• Provide a forum for students interested in alternative fuels on college campuses nationwide.

To learn more about the alternative fuels workshop, go to www.altfuelsalliance.org.