Assistant Secretary of the Army Speaking on Energy at HTUF

One of the U.S. Army’s top officials and the leader of its energy and environment initiatives will keynote the final day of the High-Efficiency Truck Users Forum (HTUF, pronounced H-Tough) Conference & Expo, in Charlotte, NC, on September 20, CALSTART has announced. 

The Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment (ASA IE&E), will address the military’s plans for reducing energy consumption. Hammack is the primary advisor to the Secretary of the Army on all matters related to coordination of energy security and management. She is also responsible for policy and oversight of sustainability and environmental initiatives, and her involvement at HTUF is a strong signal of the Army’s commitments to these efforts.

Assistant Secretary Hammack’s keynote address will come just prior to the HTUF advanced truck ride and drive demonstration, and she is expected to inspect the high-efficiency vehicles and technologies taking part.

“Assistant Secretary Hammack provides the perfect cornerstone to complete the HTUF sessions,” says CALSTART President and CEO, John Boesel. “As one of the world’s largest consumers of oil, the U.S. Department of Defense has tremendous insight into the importance of energy efficiency in transportation, and can have a huge impact on reducing that energy use. It is fitting Hammack’s comments will come surrounded by some of the most advanced, efficient trucks on the planet—trucks the HTUF program has helped bring to market.”

Assistant Secretary Hammack is one of several high-level speakers at the HTUF 2012 meetings, including representatives from the White House, the U.S. Department of Energy and Duke Energy. Taking place over three days, September 18 to 20, HTUF 2012 features cutting-edge technology briefings and policy discussions, hands-on sessions for users to help them select new technology, and planning sessions to help launch both military and commercial use of plug-in and other high-efficiency, dual use truck technology. The full agenda is available here.

Attendees will also be treated to a taste of North Carolina, with a gala reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to drive advanced trucks on a professional speedway track at Charlotte’s zMax Dragway. Registration for the event is now open.

Several manufacturers, suppliers and fleet operators in the Southeast region will be sponsoring the event, including Freightliner, Altec, Duke Energy, Southern Company Mack Trucks, Coca-Cola and Siemens. Emerald Automotive, the low-emissions, extended-range electric commercial van company, announced recently that its flagship vehicle, the t-001, will make its official U.S. debut at HTUF.