Here's the press release, "U.S. Conference of Mayors Join Drive for Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles," followed by the text of the resolution, "Encouraging the Use of Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles"

LAS VEGAS-June 5, 2006-The U.S. Conference of Mayors today unanimously endorsed a resolution encouraging the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles as an important step in reducing this country's reliance on foreign oil and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles would combine today's new gas-electric hybrid technology with larger batteries that could provide an all-electric operating range of 25 miles to 35 miles or more. The result is an 80+ mile-per-gallon vehicle-with even greater fuel economy possible using biofuels. With gas prices now near $3 per-gallon, plug-in hybrids offer the potential for a consumer to save on their fuel charges as an 'electric' gallon of gas is less than $1.

The resolution endorses the national Plug-in Partners initiative, which is leading an effort to urge automakers to manufacture flexible fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles, pushing for government funding for incentives and demonstration vehicles, gathering soft fleet orders, and promoting a consumer petition campaign in support of the effort.

The resolution was submitted by 13 mayors: Mayor Will Wynn of Austin, Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston, Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck of Arlington, VA, Mayor Patrick H. Hays of North Little Rock, AK, Mayor Rocky Anderson of Salt Lake City, Mayor Henry Garret of Corpus Christi, TX, Mayor John Hickenlooper of Denver, Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle, Mayor Ardell Brede of Rochester, NY, Mayor Martin J. Chavez of Albuquerque, Mayor David Berger of Lima, OH, Mayor Kitty Piercy of Eugene, OR, and Mayor Miguel Pulido of Santa Ana, CA.

This vote shows the increasing interest in plug-in hybrids," said Austin Mayor Will Wynn, who has been leading the national Plug-in Partners campaign. "Plug-in hybrids reduce dependency on foreign oil, lower fuel costs for cities and their citizens, reduce air pollution in our cities, and increase the use of renewable energy.

The Plug-in Partners campaign, launched in January 2006, includes a wide array of cities and other municipalities, public utilities, national and local environmental groups, and national security organizations. A citizen petition form and additional information is available at www.pluginpartners.org.

For More Information: Media: Frank Walter, fwalter@..., 202-299-0300 Membership: Daryl Slusher, daryl.slusher@..., 512-322-6210

ENCOURAGING THE USE OF PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLES

1. WHEREAS, American over-reliance on foreign oil is a growing and serious threat to the national security and economic vitality of the United States;

2. WHEREAS, the United States of America, with less than five percent of the world's population, is responsible for producing approximately 25 percent of the world's global warming pollutants; and

3. WHEREAS, petroleum combustion accounts for about 40% of all U.S. CO2 emissions.

4. WHEREAS, oil is only used to generate 2% of American electricity;

5. WHEREAS, recent, well-documented impacts of climate disruption include average global sea level increases of four to eight inches during the 20th century; a 40 percent decline in Arctic sea-ice thickness; and nine of the ten hottest years on record occurring in the past decade; and

6. WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted strong policy resolutions calling for cities, communities and the federal government to take actions to reduce global warming pollution; and

7. WHEREAS, the 73rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the meeting and urged mayors from around the nation to join this effort;

8. WHEREAS, plug-in hybrid vehicles can dramatically reduce reliance on imported oil and decrease greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants generated by vehicles;

9. WHEREAS, plug-in hybrid technology can accomplish reductions in greenhouse gas reductions and reliance on oil more quickly than other emerging technologies;

10. WHEREAS, plug-in hybrids can be manufactured with flexible fuel engines thus increasing business for American agriculture;

11. WHEREAS, plug-in hybrid vehicles will also help American citizens and businesses save on fuel costs

12. WHEREAS, the City of Austin is leading the Plug-In Partners campaign to encourage automakers to manufacture flexible fuel plug-in hybrids and to demonstrate a demand for such vehicles;

13. WHEREAS, Cities all across America are providing leadership in fighting climate change;

14. WHEREAS, American cities working together can effectively address challenges facing our cities and our nation;

15. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorses the Plug-In Partners initiative and urges mayors from around the nation to join this effort.

16. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors urges automakers to manufacture flexible fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles;

17. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages its mayors to submit "soft" or "advance" fleet orders to the Plug-In Partners initiative, which only commit the City to seriously consider the purchase, but shows interest to automakers;

18. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages its members to support federal and state legislation that funds incentives, demonstration projects, and fleet orders for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Project cost: Unknown