Another regional effort shows up in the news: North Carolina's
Governor Mike Easley has announced the creation of the Advanced
Transportation Energy Center (ATEC) at North Carolina State
University. Operating as a public/private partnership with some
initial funding from Duke Energy and Progress Energy, it will focus
research on the charging infrastructure, power grid and advanced batteries.

This new center joins the Plug-In Hybrid Coalition of the Carolinas
http://www.plugincarolina.org/plugincarolina.org with HQ in
Charleston, SC and the Plug-In Hybrid Electric Schoolbus project
http://www.hybridschoolbus.org/ at Advanced Energy in Raleigh, NC

QUOTES FROM GOVERNOR EASLEY'S PRESS RELEASE
Public-Private Partnership Puts N.C. In Forefront Of Growing Technology Sector
http://www.mikeeasley.org/wordpress/gov-easley-announces-transportation-energy-c\
enter-at-nc-state-2/

"It is our patriotic duty to free ourselves from dependence on
foreign oil and become leaders in developing the technology to make
our nation energy independent," said Easley. "Just as we have done in
the biotech field, we can position our state to be a hub of activity,
expertise and a magnet for the new jobs that will emerge as this
sector of the economy grows."

"Growth in the use of plug-in hybrid technology and infrastructure
opens the door for North Carolina and N.C. State to be leaders in
creating a workforce for advanced transportation," said N.C. State
Chancellor James L. Oblinger. "N.C. State was selected to house the
Advanced Transportation Energy Center because of our proven research
capacity and expertise in battery and photovoltaic research as well
as our ability to build the partnerships needed to make the center a success."

"We must face the challenges of global climate change together and
this partnership will lead the way in alternative energy innovation,"
said Bill Johnson, Chairman, President and CEO of Progress Energy
Inc. "We are proud to be a key partner in supporting this
cutting-edge research center that will seek to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, secure our energy future and bring new jobs to our state."
environment.

"It is the North Carolina way to take bold steps," Easley said. "With
the dawn of the 21st century, North Carolinians have emerged as
innovators and leaders in education, technology and the environment.
It is time for us to take the lead in the new energy economy."

NCSU'S ANNOUNCEMENT
http://www.ncsu.edu/featured-stories/innovation-discovery/feb-2008/atec-easley/i\
ndex.php

RALEIGH OBSERVER NEWS REPORT
http://raleigh2.com/print_this_story.asp?smenu=1&sdetail=489
Raleigh Observer

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Felix Kramer fkramer@...
Founder California Cars Initiative
http://www.calcars.org
http://www.calcars.org/news-archive.html
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