Meeting California's Energy and Transportation Challenges by 2030: What's it going to take?
SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Can California meet Gov. Jerry Brown's major new energy and climate initiative to reduce the use of petroleum products by 50 percent by the Year 2030?
The "50/50/50/ by 2030" proposal envisions expediting many of the California's major environmental programs to:
- Increase electricity from renewable sources by 50 percent by 2030;
- Reduce petroleum consumption by 50 percent by 2030;
- And increase building efficiency 50 percent by 2030.
"50/50/50 by 2030: Transportation and the California Energy Challenge"
On June 10th, a panel of thought leaders in policy, academia and industry will convene in Sacramento to debate the Governor's challenge for petroleum reduction and whether California can balance these climate and clean air goals while still meeting its energy requirements, transportation demands and economic prosperity.
Date: Wednesday, June 10th
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PDT)
Location: Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
1230 J Street, Sacramento, CA
"50/50/50 by 2030: Transportation and the California Energy Challenge" promises to be an open discussion about all possibilities and options facing this major proposal. Panelists will also discuss which innovations, clean technologies or alternatives will contribute toward meeting the new goals.
California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), one of the prime sponsors of SB 350 - legislation that would establish policies to achieve the "50/50/50 by 2030" standards - will be the keynote speaker.
The event is being organized and moderated by RealClearPolitics, an independent and non-partisan media company that is an international source for news, analysis and commentary. The event is being sponsored by the Diesel Technology Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology.
Is This Major Energy and Climate Policy Possible?
Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, said the "50/50/50/ by 2030" proposal offers significant challenges to policy makers, manufacturers and consumers.
"With more registered cars than any other state, the second largest truck fleet, major ports that are vital to the nation's economic stability and growth, and as America's largest agricultural producer, is a 50 percent reduction in petroleum use possible? And is it possible by 2030?" Schaeffer said.
Diesel Power Will Play a Major Role in Achieving California's Petroleum Reduction Goal
"It seems quite clear that for such an aggressive policy to be achievable in these new and accelerated timeframes a greater reliance on the proven and existing technologies and fuels like diesel will be necessary in all phases of the transportation and off-road sectors," Schaeffer said.
"At the national level, the Obama Administration is anticipating that about 20 percent of the entire U.S. commitment to reduce CO2 emissions will come from the transportation sector – the light duty vehicle fuel economy standards and the medium and heavy-duty truck efficiency rules.
"Today, heavy-duty vehicles which move freight, cargo and agricultural products, consume about 25 percent of petroleum-based transportation fuels nationwide. More than 98 percent of these Class 8 vehicles – including those in California – run on diesel technology."
New Clean Diesel Engines and Trucks Are Already Improving Fuel Efficiency
"More efficient new clean diesel engines and trucks on the road today are already reducing petroleum consumption and well before the Governor's 2030 target. Today, model year 2010 and newer diesels are more fuel efficient and have reduced petroleum consumption in California by 1.4 million barrels of crude, saving 56.6 million gallons of fuel," Schaeffer said.
These new-generation clean diesels are now the standard in vocational vehicles, transit and school buses, first responder vehicles, delivery trucks and large Class 8 tractors. Today, more than 120,000 of these medium and heavy-duty vehicles in California are deployed with the newest diesel fuel-saving technologies that are also near-zero emissions. That's up almost 47% from 2013 engines.
"After decades of policy incentives and financial support for the introduction of alternative fuels in heavy-duty applications, diesel is still the customer's choice and predominant powertrain providing major fuel savings throughout California and the nation," Schaeffer said. "And starting in 2018, even more fuel saving technologies are expected to hit the marketplace, thanks to the widely-anticipated Phase II efficiency rule for commercial trucks."
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Will Help Reduce Carbon Emissions
Schaeffer said heavy duty diesel vehicles are approved to operate on blends of bio-based fuels. Unlike most gasoline passenger vehicles that are approved to operate on no more than 10 percent ethanol, many heavy-duty trucks and vehicles can operate up to a 20 percent blend of biodiesel and even higher blends of renewable diesel fuel. Greater consumption of biofuels in the heavy-duty fleet translates into further petroleum reduction.
Currently renewable diesel and biodiesel are providing 26.5 percent of the California's fuel carbon reductions, Schaeffer said. Projections from the California Air Resources Board estimate that the U.S. will have the capacity to produce 3.5 billion gallons of renewable diesel and biodiesel annually by 2020, with much of it to be used in California.
"Diesel is a proven platform that meets the performance and business needs of vehicle owners and users, and contributes to California's climate and environmental goals. The new generation of clean diesel power will give California to the best chance to achieve its petroleum reduction goals in the future," Schaeffer said.
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ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.
Contact:
Steve Hansen
[email protected]
301-668-7230 (o)
202-355-3664 (c)
Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.
Allen Schaeffer
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=111282
(View this press release online here.)
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SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum
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