A lot of us are breathing a sigh of relief now that fuel prices have come down. The good news is that the U.S. Energy Information Administration is predicting low retail diesel prices for the rest of the year and into 2010.

And while some customers might be again tempted to jump into their SUVs and go for a long drive, environmental concerns are still on most Americans' front burners. In December, the Union of Concerned Scientists released "Getting There Greener: The Guide to Your Lower-Carbon Vacation," a consumer guide to travel that compared the carbon footprints of various means of travel. The story was picked up by press outlets around the country.

UCS researchers calculated the amount of carbon dioxide generated per trip for distances ranging from 100 to 3,000 miles, and for solo travelers, couples and families of four. It didn't come as much of a surprise to those of us in the industry that motor coaches generally outranked trains, planes, cars and SUVs in green credibility. In fact, the report found that a couple traveling on a motor coach will generate nearly 50 percent less global warming pollution than they would driving a fuel-efficient hybrid car.

You can see more of the guide at http://www.ucsusa.org/gettingtheregreener.

The UCS isn't the only one that's put out a guide. Leading Hotels of the World Group (www.lhw.com) has started its own Leading Green Initiative that lets travelers calculate their carbon footprint, make reservations at carbon-neutral hotels and more. And plenty of hotels, resorts and attractions are letting customers know what they're doing to better the planet.

So how can you make the most of passengers' willingness to go green?

1. Partner with green hotels and restaurants. Many hotels these days work toward being green. There have long been eco resorts in the jungles of the world, but today, you'll find big names like Disney and Fairmont getting into the act. And it's not hard to find good restaurants that key their seasonal menus to local, responsibly produced ingredients.

2. Get green-certified. The University of Vermont is offering green certification to coach operators who are willing to commit to green technology and fuels. It's a great way to show your commitment to the cause.

3. Advertise your green adventures. Put together tours that take advantage of green trends, then let your customers know what you're doing to make their adventures easier on the earth. Whether it's choosing green hotels, using the latest EPA-compliant engine technology, gassing up on bio-fuel or using paperless tickets and itineraries, it's worth telling the world. Let the local newspapers know as well. But make sure you do it by e-mail, and save a tree.

4. Work with travel planners. Many corporate travel planners are looking for close-to-home alternatives for their clients, so it may pay to be proactive. Instead of waiting for planners to approach you and ask you what your green credentials are, let them know who you are and what you do. And if there are any small steps you can take to position yourself as an even greener company, take action.

5. Join an organization. The American Bus Association, the new Motorcoach Council and other organizations are working toward furthering the motorcoach agenda. There are additionally many organizations that are dedicated primarily to environmental causes. Sustainable Tourism International is one, and it allows the purchase of carbon offsets. Established in 1990, the International Ecotourism Society (http://www.ecotourism.org) is another. By giving your time and resources to organizations you believe in, you may position yourself to benefit greatly down the road.

And that's a shade of green we all like.

The FYI from MCI editorial staff values your feedback. Please e-mail any suggestions, comments, or ideas for future articles to fyi@mcicoach.com.