Low Carbon Transportation Cuts Rile Clean Vehicle Advocates

The governor’s proposed $435 million budget for the California Air Resources Board’s low carbon transportation program was criticized for reducing funding for low and zero emissions heavy-duty trucks and for lacking parity of funding between electric and hydrogen powered vehicles.

The proposed 2018-19 budget is below the current budget of $560 million.

“We are on the threshold of commercialization of low emission and zero emission heavy- duty vehicles,” Fred Minassian, with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, told CARB March 15. He warned that decreasing funding for clean trucks, freight and off road equipment would impede the momentum.

The current budget provides $320 million for electrifying and cleaning up large trucks and freight, but that would be reduced to $160 million under the governor’s 2018-19 budget plan.

Air board staff agreed on the need to fund cleanup of polluting heavy-duty vehicles, but noted it doesn’t decide the funding of the budget.

A representative from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency urged greater funding for clean energy transit for low-income communities. Funding for transit reaches the greatest number of people, he said.

Jason Crow, CARB air specialist, noted the Thursday public workshop “is the start of our funding development process.”

During the workshop on the proposed 2018-19 budget, staff stressed money is to be used to continue driving down greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. This sector produces far higher levels of emissions than the power sector. The budget also aims to help the state reach the goal of 5 million zero and low emission vehicles on California roads by 2030.

Since 2013, $1.24 billion has been spent on low carbon transportation projects and programs, including vehicle rebates, heavy-duty vehicle retrofits and workforce training.

The cost of fuel cell powered cars is coming down, but their advancement is being hampered by insufficient infrastructure funding, specifically hydrogen fueling stations. “We see a significant funding gap,” according to a fuel cell car advocate.

Air Board staff noted the agency doesn’t fund alternative vehicle fuel stations, but that the California Energy Commission does.

There were also calls for putting more money into public transportation, more workforce training, and clean energy projects like bike sharing, as directed by SB 350. That law aims to drive down petroleum use 50 percent by 2030.

The proposed budget currently includes: $175 million for clean car rebates, with $25 million for low-income residents. $160 million for heavy-duty low carbon transportation. $100 million for equity projects, including for low-income communities, electrification of rural school buses and van pools for farm hands. ARB staff proposed doubling funding to $200 million. The proposed budget also includes $28.6 million for the Air Quality Improvement Program, a separate effort to clean up emissions from transportation.

The Air Board will hold a final funding workshop in May, with a final budget out June 22. – Elizabeth McCarthy

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Low Carbon Transportation Cuts Rile Clean Vehicle Advocates

William J. Kelly

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