With the push to go green and reduce greenhouse gases, Siemens Mobility is encouraging local high school juniors and seniors to participate in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) first “Teening” Up for a Greener World Youth Summit. The summit will be held June 22-25, 2008 in Washington DC and the application submission deadline is April 25, 2008. The summit will focus on the environmental benefits of public transportation, as well as on how communities prosper with increased public transit services.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the young people of our community to learn about the positive impact that public transportation has on the environment,” said Xanthi Pinkerton, company spokesperson. “The students will interact with other teens from across the U.S. as they gain insight into a growing industry that directly impacts their future. We look forward to their bringing this knowledge back to Sacramento.”

The all-expense-paid Summit will give participants the opportunity to spend three days in the nation’s capital, meeting with lawmakers and leaders and learning first-hand the ways public transportation can shape the future. Two Sacramento area students selected to go to the Youth Summit will then be invited to participate in a two-month-long paid internship at the Siemens Mobility light rail manufacturing facility and U.S. headquarters.

Public transportation is a key part of the solution to reducing our nation’s carbon emissions. Each year America’s public transportations systems reduce carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons. An individual who switches to public transit can reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds; that’s more than 4,800 pounds in a year.

“By reaching out to the next generation of leaders and fully engaging them in our industry, we allow them to see the impact they can make not only in their own communities, but on the country as a whole,” said APTA President William W. Millar. “They can take what they learn at the youth summit and bring it back to their schools, families, and communities.”

Interested students and parents can find out more information and download an application at www.apta.com/youthsummit . “Teening” Up for a Greener World is open to a limited number of students; application deadline is April 25, 2008.

Students who have questions about Siemens Transportation Systems’ internship are invited to email their questions to sts@dcinyc.com. Please note that the selected STS interns will be responsible for their own transportation to and from work.