U.S. Under Secretary for Energy Kristina Johnson, Ph.D., is slated to deliver the keynote address at the Green Truck Summit at America’s Center in St. Louis on March 9. Dr. Johnson, who is responsible for Department of Energy (DOE) programs in energy efficiency, renewable energy, environmental management, fossil energy, nuclear energy, and energy reliability, will speak on “U.S. Opportunities for Increasing Commercial Truck Productivity.”

Johnson will be welcomed to the podium by U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-MI), who is receiving the Green Truck Leadership Award at the event. Peters is the author of the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009 (H.R. 3246), which contains provisions to benefit organizations that partner with DOE to design and build the next generation of fuel-efficient commercial trucks. This legislation passed the House in September, and companion legislation is currently pending in the Senate.

The Green Truck Summit addresses green technology for work trucks, including hybrid and alternative fuels. It will be held March 9 and 10 alongside The Work Truck Show, which is produced annually by the National Truck Equipment Asson. (NTEA). The Green Truck Summit is jointly produced and managed by NTEA and CALSTART.

Dr. Johnson holds 129 U.S. and international patents and patents pending. She has received a number of awards, including the John Fritz Medal, widely considered the highest award in the engineering profession. In addition to her extensive academic career, Johnson also helped found several companies, including ColorLink, Inc., SouthEast Techinventures, and Unyos.

“We are delighted to have a keynote speaker of Dr. Johnson’s caliber at the Green Truck Summit,” said Jim Carney, NTEA executive director. “Our attendees are sure to benefit from the top-level insights she and Congressman Peters can provide into what is happening in Washington that will impact companies manufacturing and using hybrid and alternative fuel work trucks today and into the future.”

For more information or to register for the Green Truck Summit, go to www.ntea.com or call 1-800-441-NTEA (6832).