RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) has announced the formation of the HDMA Strategic Energy Council. Comprised of HDMA member companies that are engaged in the manufacture and marketing of heavy duty energy-efficient technologies, products or systems, the Strategic Energy Council will provide and maintain communication as appropriate with federal agencies. The council will be comprised of two separate working groups — the Heavy Duty Strategic Energy Executive Group and the Heavy Duty Strategic Energy Technical & Marketing Group — to provide focused attention to specific areas of knowledge.
The Heavy Duty Strategic Energy Executive Group is comprised of top-level, HDMA member executives representing HD suppliers to OEM truck and trailer manufacturers who are actively involved in the manufacturing or development of energy-efficient technologies, lightweight materials and other products that contribute to the reduced consumption of fuel. The goal of this coalition is to work with Congress to provide tax incentives, grants and rebates that encourage the development and adoption of new, mature and proven energy-efficient technologies for both OEM and aftermarket commercial vehicles.
The HD Strategic Energy Technical & Marketing Group is a targeted group of HDMA member senior technical executives, engineers and marketing professionals actively involved in the design, development or marketing of HD industry energy-efficient technologies. This council has a very strong interface with the MEMA Governmental Affairs office in Washington, D.C., and contributes frequently with comments on notices of proposed rules (NPRM’s) to offer industry insight in the instances of potential governmental regulations for this industry. The group also serves as advisers to the DOT, DOE and EPA on regulations affecting the industry, as it relates to members’ product categories. This group will also serve as an accurate source for media, with PR supplied on behalf of the supplier community.
"Our members saw the need to form this group to work with our Washington office to propose new legislation, to comment on proposed regulations and to address those being imposed on the heavy duty industry, often without regard to determining basic requirements and the velocity of technology developments to meet new energy standards," said Tim Kraus, president and COO of HDMA. "The formation of the Strategic Energy Council of HDMA will address these issues and attempt to keep ahead of the curve by contributing key knowledge and comments to these legislative and regulatory groups."
