Freedom Riders For Energy Independence Looking For Green Vehicles For Caravan, Tour

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Rust To Green Utica in partnership with Utica Monday Nite is looking for hybrid or alternative energy vehicles to take part in the Freedom Riders For Energy Independence tour happening on August 1st. The group is planning to join the event organizer--Green Local 175--for a green caravan ride to Orion Natural Gas and Hybrid Bus Production Plant in Oriskany for a tour--a scheduled Utica Monday Nite event. Lynne Mishalanie, Director, Producer, Utica Monday Nite, says the aim is to promote the area's green initiatives. "On August 1st, if you have a vehicle that is a hybrid or alternatively fueled, come on down to the Rust To Green. There will be parking at the Hotel Utica parking lot from 4-6:00 p.m., and we'll caravan out to see what's going on at the Orion plant for a tour there," she said. Officials say the tour will include a walk through of the production line based in 2 separate buildings onsite. Plant officials request that all visitors wear closed toed shoes and foot apparel. No sandals are allowed. Also, cameras and/or other video recording equipment will not be allowed. Orion Natural Gas and Hybrid Bus Production Plant is located at 165 Base Road in Oriskany. The plant is part of Daimler Buses North America, the leading commercial bus company in North America. Tours will be led by the Manager of Manufacturing Engineering, Bob Frank. For more information about joining the caravan contact Lynne Mishalanie at, uticart@gmail.com or the event organizer, Richard Morris, Founder, Green Local 175 at (315) 724-6364 or to learn more about the August 1st event go to, www.greenlocal175.com. Green Local 175 is a non-profit, all volunteer grassroots organization.