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newsrel -- California joins H2USA to advance hydrogen transportation

Posted: 29 Apr 2014 10:39:12
Please consider the following news release from the California
Air Resources Board: http://bit.ly/1hNQx8R
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2014

NEWS RELEASE 14-36

CONTACT:

Teresa Schilling
(916) 654-4989
teresa.schilling@energy.ca.gov

Dave Clegern
(916) 322-2990
DClegern@arb.ca.gov


California joins H2USA to advance hydrogen transportation 
 
Increasing zero-emission vehicles is critical to achieve
greenhouse gas and air quality targets

SACRAMENTO – In California’s latest effort to advance hydrogen
transportation, the Energy Commission and the Air Resources Board
announced today that California has joined H2USA, a
public-private partnership led by the U.S. Department of Energy.

H2USA is dedicated to accelerating the commercialization of clean
transportation solutions, primarily fuel cell electric vehicles
(FCVs) and a fueling infrastructure that will make these vehicles
more accessible and affordable.

California’s pledge to join H2USA adds the state to the growing
partnership of government agencies, automakers, gas suppliers,
and the hydrogen and fuel cell industries across the nation. The
partnership will identify actions designed to encourage early
adopters of fuel cell vehicles, conduct coordinated technical and
market analyses, and evaluate approaches to an alternative
fueling infrastructure that drives cost reductions and economies
of scale. 

"California is committed to advancing zero-emission vehicles to
help meet climate change, clean air, and energy security goals,"
said Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott. "We look forward to
working with the partners in H2USA to identify and deploy
solutions that will speed the transition to a zero-emission
vehicle fleet."

"California is committed to seeing more zero-emission vehicles on
our roads and highways. This new partnership helps us reach that
goal by accelerating the development of a fueling infrastructure
to support the commercial market launch of hydrogen fuel cell
vehicles," said Air Resources Board Chairman Mary D. Nichols.
”Joining this public-private partnership is a big step toward the
development and deployment of a broader, consumer-friendly
hydrogen infrastructure for California and the rest of the
country.”

California leads the nation in energy efficiency standards and
promoting zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), and plays a lead role in
environmental protection; however it is the 12th largest emitter
of carbon dioxide worldwide.  In 2006, AB 32 was signed into law,
setting a California target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to
1990 levels by 2020. In 2008, SB 375 (Steinberg) directed the
California Air Resources Board to set regional targets for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles. 

In March 2012, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order directing
state government to help accelerate the market for ZEVs in
California. The order set a goal of establishing an
infrastructure to support 1 million ZEVs in California by 2020
and to have 1.5 million ZEVs on California roadways by 2025.
Since then, seven other states, comprising more than 30 percent
of the total national vehicle fleet, signed an agreement to work
together to put 2.2 million ZEVs on the roads of their respective
states by 2025.

The Air Resources Board also set aggressive goals for lowering
the emissions of vehicles by controlling smog, soot, and global
warming gases and through requirements for greater numbers of
ZEVs into a single package of standards—Advanced Clean Cars—for
vehicle model years 2017 through 2025.

In September 2013, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed
AB 8 (Perea), re-authorizing the Energy Commission’s successful
Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program
(ARFVTP). To date, the ARFVTP has provided more than $400 million
to more than 260 alternative fuel, infrastructure, and vehicle
technology projects. Reauthorization of the ARFVTP continues
annual program investments of $100 million, and dedicates $20
million of this amount to the installation of hydrogen fueling
infrastructure supporting the deployment of fuel cell vehicles.

As with other electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles emit no
harmful tailpipe emissions, which is important in reducing
exposure to harmful air pollutants, especially in or near
disproportionately impacted communities.

Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to create electricity to power a
car, producing only water vapor or heat in the process. Depending
upon how the hydrogen is produced, few to zero harmful emissions
are released at hydrogen production facilities. By state law, all
of the hydrogen sold through publicly funded hydrogen fueling
stations must include one-third renewable hydrogen, which means
the potential reduction in greenhouse gases is about 68 percent,
the same as battery electric drive cars. The greenhouse gas
emissions reductions can be even higher when hydrogen is produced
from renewable sources such as biomethane from biomass and
landfills or from renewable energy sources such as wind or solar
power using water electrolysis.

# # #

The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy
policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974
and located in Sacramento, six basic responsibilities guide the
Energy Commission as it sets state energy policy: forecasting
future energy needs; licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts
or larger; promoting energy efficiency and conservation by
setting the state's appliance and building efficiency standards;
supporting public interest energy research that advances energy
science and technology through research, development, and
demonstration programs; developing renewable energy resources and
alternative renewable energy technologies for buildings, industry
and transportation; planning for and directing state response to
energy emergencies.

ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare,
and ecological resources through effective reduction of air
pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the
economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in
California to attain and maintain health based air quality
standards.


California is in a drought emergency.
Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.

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