American Lung Association of Minnesota: Energy Department Bestows 'Clean Cities' Honors, Minnesota Leads Nation in Alternative Fuel Availability

ARCHIVED 2002–2016: Originally distributed via the eWire press wire service. Preserved as historical record.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE |

Conservation & Wildlife

Corporate Responsibility

Science & Technology

Syndication Partners

**************************************************************************

E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE

**************************************************************************

TO STATE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:

American Lung Association of Minnesota: Energy Department Bestows 'Clean Cities' Honors, Minnesota Leads Nation in Alternative Fuel Availability

MINNESOTA, SAINT PAUL, May. 22 -/E-Wire/-- The Twin Cities metropolitan area will be designated as a member of the U. S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program during a 1:30 p.m. ceremony at the State Capitol rotunda on Thursday, May 31. The ceremony recognizes the efforts of the Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition, an unlikely mix of environmentalists, educators, health professionals, farmers, auto makers, and business and government leaders who have been working together since 1995 to expand public awareness and use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuels.

One of the coalition's major accomplishments is the development of the nation's largest network of gas stations selling E85, a cleaner-burning blend of 85 percent renewable ethanol and 15 percent gasoline that can be used by "flex fuel" vehicles. There are more than 50,000 vehicles registered in Minnesota that can use E85, which is now available at nearly 60 gas stations statewide, according to Tim Gerlach, director of outdoor air programs for the American Lung Association of Minnesota and coalition coordinator. "Many people are surprised to learn that they already own an E85 flexible fuel vehicle, and that some alternative fuels are already available in their communities at prices competitive with gasoline," Gerlach said.

In addition to E85, the coalition also promotes other alternative fuels such as biodiesel, propane, natural gas, electricity and hydrogen. Vehicles powered by each of the alternative fuels will be on display in front of the Capitol during the May 31 ceremony. National and state leaders will be joined by 6th graders from St. Paul's Rondo Education Center, who will display their artwork on clean air themes at the Capitol.

The American Lung Association of Minnesota (ALAMN), serving Minnesotans since 1903, is one of the oldest non-profit voluntary health organizations in the nation. ALAMN provides advocacy, research, education and programs to promote healthy air, healthy people and healthy lungs. Key areas of focus include: outdoor and indoor air quality, asthma management, smoking prevention and cessation, flu and pneumonia vaccination, and lung disease management. For more information please call [REDACTED-PHONE] or [REDACTED-PHONE] or visit us at our websites at http://www.alamn.org or http://www.healthhouse.org

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X24344482

/NOTE TO EDITORS: For a complete list of flexible fuel vehicles, Minnesota gas stations that sell E85 fuel, more details about the Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition or the May 31 designation ceremony, please contact Robert Moffitt at [REDACTED-PHONE]. Please do not use Moffitt as a direct resource for readers-audience in your coverage./

American Lung Association of Minnesota

http://www.healthhouse.org

http://www.alamn.org

**************************************************************************

To Transmit Your News Over E-Wire, visit http://www.ewire.com or

call 1-[REDACTED-PHONE]. E-Wire Is Broadcast To Millions Of Readers Worldwide

**************************************************************************