The Honorable Secretary Chu to Deliver Government Keynote at 2013 Washington Auto Show

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Auto Show®, the automotive industry's annual public policy show and the largest public show held in Washington, D.C., is pleased to announce that Energy Secretary Steven Chu will be the government keynote speaker at the Washington Convention Center on Thursday, January 31^st.

Secretary Chu's address will focus on the Department of Energy's EV Everywhere Grand Challenge and will follow the "Affordable Mobility: The Future of Transportation and Energy Efficiency" Summit, to be held on Capitol Hill and sponsored by The National Journal. It will focus on the long term environmental sustainability, energy security, and economic stability solutions that plug-in electric vehicles can provide and how the Department is supporting their expansion. He will speak in The Advanced Technology SuperHighway area.

Since his appointment to the U.S. Department of Energy, Secretary Chu has made it a priority to communicate the importance of alternative fuel and plug-in electric vehicles to consumers and businesses nationwide. He has worked diligently to bring this issue to the forefront of the national energy conversation and the Department has made unprecedented investments in research, development, and demonstration of plug-in electric vehicles in recent years.

"This show's Public Policy days are designed to connect decision makers, both throughout our industry and on Capitol Hill, and facilitate an open forum to share ideas, discuss the latest technologies, and identify common goals for the future of our industry and the nation we serve," says Washington Auto Show Chairman Robert Fogarty. "We believe the Washington Auto Show® will grant the Secretary a unique opportunity to deliver his message regarding electric engines and their long term economic and environmental importance to a targeted audience that is uniquely equipped to help the U.S. Department of Energy effect change on this important issue."

For more information about The Washington Auto Show, please visit www.washingtonautoshow.org.

About the Washington Auto Show

The "Public Policy Days" of the Washington Auto Show kick off January 30, 2013 with two days of powerful and purposeful dialogue between industry leaders and public policy makers on issues impacting the automotive industry. The National Journal Policy Summit on Capitol Hill is held in the Cannon House Caucus Room, followed by Jan. 31 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center with press conferences and special events. The event opens to the public February 1-10, and will provide more than 750,000 square feet of autos, advanced technology and experiential events throughout all levels, exhibition halls and meeting rooms of the Convention Center, in which more than 43 domestic and import manufacturers present more than 700 vehicles. This year's event also includes the inaugural Luxury Showcase and enhanced floor plan.

SOURCE Washington Auto Show 2013