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INTRODUCTORY FM COURSE TO THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION (CEC) CLEAN TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program was designed to help the state achieve its emissions goals by requiring that a certain percentage of vehicle fleets use the cleanest available technologies (battery electric, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid). While it has been amended several times, it has the long-term goal of 1.5 million ZEVs in California by 2025.
The transportation sector became the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2016. While transportation sector emissions have fallen by 6.1 percent from their 2005 peak, transportation sector emissions grew about 21.5 percent from 1990 to 2016, largely driven by increased demand for travel based on economic and population growth, low fuel prices, and urban sprawl.
To change this trajectory, California early on enacted vehicle GHG emissions standards, adopted goals for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) deployment, which include both plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and provided rebates for ZEVs and incentives for ZEV infrastructure, such as EV supply equipment (EVSE) and hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
On vehicle emission standards, California has unique authority under Section 209 of the Clean Air Act to maintain motor vehicle emission standards that are stricter than the federal standards, as long as the federal government has issued a waiver.
California refers to its motor vehicle emission standards as the Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards. Moreover, as part of its larger Advanced Clean Cars Program, California’s Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) program requires major manufacturers of passenger cars and light trucks (up to 8,500 pounds) to attain a certain number of ZEV credits depending on the number of vehicles produced and delivered for sale in the state. ZEVs include plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program
The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program (formerly known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced in 2021 the availability of up to $6,815,000 in grant funds for projects that will provide workforce training and development that support zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), ZEV infrastructure, and ZEV-related commercial technologies in California.
Key goals of this investment include:
• Supporting training in ZEV industries.
• Aligning workforce projects in ZEV deployment areas for growth and scale.
• Making training specifically available to priority communities.
• Preparing dislocated, unemployed, and new workforce entrants for ZEV careers.
• Accrue environmental and socioeconomic benefits to California.
California FM's With Transportation/Fleet Services Should Plan Ahead
Assembly Bill (AB) 118 (Núñez, Chapter 750, Statutes of 2007), created the Clean Transportation Program (also known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program). The statute authorizes the CEC to develop and deploy alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies to help attain the state’s climate change policies.
AB 8 (Perea, Chapter 401, Statutes of 2013) re-authorized the Clean Transportation Program through January 1, 2024, and specified that the CEC allocate up to $20 million per year (or up to 20 percent of each fiscal year’s funds) in funding for hydrogen station development until at least 100 stations are operational. The Clean Transportation Program has an annual budget of approximately $100 million and provides financial support for projects that:
• Reduce California’s use and dependence on petroleum transportation fuels and increase the use of alternative and renewable fuels and advanced vehicle technologies.
• Produce sustainable alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels in California.
• Expand alternative fueling infrastructure and fueling stations.
• Improve the efficiency, performance and market viability of alternative light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle technologies.
• Retrofit medium- and heavy-duty on-road and non-road vehicle fleets to alternative technologies or fuel use.
• Expand the alternative fueling infrastructure available to existing fleets, public transit, and transportation corridors.
• Establish workforce training programs and conduct public outreach on the benefits of alternative transportation fuels and vehicle technologies.
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) was established to advance the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, leading to reductions in the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and supporting long-term, transformative efforts to improve public health and develop a clean energy economy. The state’s portion of the Cap-and-Trade auction proceeds are deposited in the GGRF and invested in California
California's IFMA Component and Chapter Leaders Can Make a Difference
If you are a facility manager who is interested in learning more about the many requirements and goals of the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) program and the new mandates for your facilities, we would love to hear from you. Supporting our FM focused ZEV education program grant proposal is easy as providing a Letter of Support. If so, please contact Corey Lee Wilson at clwenterprises@att.net or call (951) 415-3002 for more details.