Remarks for Secretary Mineta, 13th Annual Tour de Sol Awards Ceremony

Norman Y. Mineta, United States Secretary of Transportation
May 26, 2001

It is a great pleasure to be with you here today. Let’s hear it for this year’s Tour de Sol participants and sponsors!

Congratulations to all the entrants in this year’s Tour de Sol … those teams who have been a part of this great annual tradition in the past … and our newest host teams, from China and Micronesia.

It is really exciting to see the variety of technologies and ideas on display here, at the largest electric vehicle race in the world.

The advanced environmental technologies demonstrated here today are the most diverse ever included in the Tour de Sol. Indeed, they are some of the most innovative technologies anywhere.

The Tour de Sol provides a unique and valuable opportunity to showcase – and to celebrate -- new environmental and fuel-efficient products; to test -drive the transportation choices that are available to us today; and to explore out-of-the box ideas and innovations that can improve the health of our economy, as well as our environment, for future generations.

In the midst of the national debate over energy shortages and rising fuel prices, there is a lot to be learned from the success of this event and its vehicles.

Transportation accounts for more than a quarter of total energy consumption in the United States, and trucks and cars account for more than three quarters of the petroleum used by transportation.

If we’re going to reduce fuel consumption, we need to utilize the smart technologies that are available today, and invest in the promise of solutions for tomorrow.

That is why President Bush is so focused on implementing a national energy strategy to modernize and increase conservation; diversify energy supplies; and improve and accelerate environmental protection.

By utilizing 21st Century technologies and solutions, like those before us here today, we will fulfill the vision of the National Energy Policy released last week by Vice President Cheney and our Cabinet-level task force.

Our energy plan calls for:

increased federal funding for energy efficiency research and development programs;

the promotion of clean and renewable energy sources like solar and biomass; and

a consumer income tax credit for the purchase of hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, like some of those we’ve seen here today.

These are the kinds of solutions that will promote energy conservation and energy efficiency in meaningful and effective ways.

I want to congratulate all the participates of the Tour de Sol for the important role you’re playing in bringing these concepts within reach, and making green transportation a reality.

You are the partners -- the inventors, the creators, the producers, the users -- who will implement the energy policies we propose for our nation.

It is you who are bringing to fruition the environmental benefits, the economic opportunities, and the quality of life we seek to achieve through the public policies we develop to meet our energy needs.

In my opinion, you are all winners.

So, I want to thank each of you, and congratulate you, for being risk takers, for being visionaries, for being the leaders you have demonstrated yourselves to be here today.

Thanks a million.

Source:  U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)