Thank you, and I'd like to thank the Sierra Club for asking DOT to participate in this event today.
Being good stewards of the environment is a responsibility we all share -- and at the North Carolina Department of Transportation we want to do our part.
Secretary Tippett appointed me as Deputy Secretary for Environment, Planning and Local Government Affairs to work with planning and environmental groups, as well as local officials to make sure the environment is at the forefront of all we do.
Protecting the environment is one of his main goals -- and it's right here on the agenda card the Secretary developed for the department.
NCDOT is committed to improving air quality by reducing dependence on fossil fuels through the use of alternatively fueled vehicles - or AFVs.
Our goal is to have at least 75 percent of our light duty trucks used in Metropolitan areas - and other areas - as AFVs.
The department currently has about 167 in use and has ordered an additional 36.
We will continue to replace older model vehicles with these new trucks.
In addition, the department is using biodiesel fuel in both on and off the road vehicles in place of diesel fuel -- reducing the amount of carcinogens emitted into the air.
We currently use vehicles powered by compressed natural gas, propane gas, ethanol and biodiesel fuel.
The department also is looking at converting a fueling site to distribute liquid natural gas in the near future.
The technology for AFVs is constantly changing.
And, NCDOT will continue to be persistent in seeking out a combination of alternative fuels for both on and off highway vehicles that will benefit the state economically and environmentally.