April 2, 2011

James Madison University Teaches Alternative Transportation (Text Version)

This is a text version of the video segment James Madison University Teaches Alternative Transportation, which aired on April 2, 2011.

JOHN DAVIS: Our success story of the week hails from Harrisonburg, Virginia, where James Madison University is teaching by example when it comes to cleaner alternative fuels. JMU's campus vehicle fleet includes biodiesel buses, medium-duty hybrids like this refuse hauler, electric utility vehicles, and will soon add a number of propane vehicles as part of a multi-state initiative.

But the hands-on learning in the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Lab is where creativity hits the road—literally. Here, students are challenged to build a variety of clean fuel project vehicles, ranging from a biodiesel trike to a hydrogen fuel cell scooter and a record-setting 1968 Sears Roebuck motorcycle converted to electric power.

CHRIS BACHMANN: We want to educate the students, but we also want to educate the public—not only about the oil reserves and what it's looking like for them running out, but also the alternatives that are coming down the pike.

JOHN DAVIS: The Virginia Clean Cities coalition is helping JMU go green today and teach green for tomorrow.