Listening Session Continues Zero Emission Vehicle Support

Welcome back to The Sunstone Way. 

California is determined to lead the way in the transition to a clean energy world and its various agencies are coming together to help make that happen in the most efficient, inclusive way possible. 

Key to that effort is leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (P3) in the face of increasing headwinds from the federal government. A prime example of that effort took place last week in Long Beach when the California Air Resources Board (CARB) hosted the first in a series of listening sessions to inform the ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) Forward initiative, a report from CARB requested by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislation in the coming year.

Government Works Together

While CARB is the convener of the listening series, other state government agencies are active participants in the discussion. The Long Beach panel included Dr. Steven Cliff, the CARB executive director; Nancy Skinner, commissioner with the California Energy Commission; Christine Casey, Deputy Secretary at the California State Transportation Agency; and Gia Vacin, deputy director of ZEV development at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). 

All of the representatives emphasized how important it is that the various clean air incentives and regulations work together, not at cross purposes. It is particularly important that California lead the way now, Cliff said, with the shift of federal government regulations and elimination of financial incentives. 

“We must advance the programs that promote ZEV,” the CARB leader said. “In the face of what we believe is an illegal, unconstitutional attack on the states’ right to address its air quality we must act. These sessions will lead to a formal recommendation to Gov. Newsom in the next month.” 

The other panelists agreed communication between departments to coordinate their efforts will be key to success. It is a fine example of partners working for the greater good. 

Stakeholders Rally 

The other side of the P3 equation, the public, showed up in force for the session. After opening remarks from the panelists, the audience was asked to name the top action the state could take to maintain momentum in the zero emission market given the recent federal program changes.  

Speakers included grassroots groups concerned with equitable implementation of incentive programs, truck sales firms asking for simplified applications, large fleet operators worried about consistency in program implementation, hydrogen fuel advocates and electricity charger providers seeking better availability from electric utilities. 

Several panelists said it was gratifying to see the large and varied response to the ZEV issue, and the unanimity in commitment from the many stakeholder groups. Comments also led to ideas for concrete actions. 

“We can jump on that right now,” GO-Biz’s Vacin said when a business owner said he was struggling to add charger stations. “I’ll connect with you at the break.”

Educating The Public 

While everyone in the Long Beach Civic Center chambers for the session spoke the language of Zero Emission Vehicles – and virtually everyone there was in favor of moving the concept forward – the general public needs better information. 

“There’s an education gap,” Energy Commissioner Skinner said. “We need to get out there and counter the misinformation that is being spread. News of unreliability in ZEV vehicles is out there, and is simply wrong.” 

That education should continue at the state level as well. The message that the state is unified in its clean energy efforts needs to be clear and get out often. 

“We’re working hard to be sure our climate goals align with transportation spending,” Transportation Deputy Director Casey said. “That needs to be known.” 

California Leads 

Several times during the afternoon it was pointed out that other states were looking to California for leadership in the face of federal government rollbacks regarding clean energy. Many audience members promised continued support for the state forging ahead with ZEV innovation and incentives. 

Executive Director Cliff said that CARB is focused on maintaining momentum and accelerating efforts to continue the transition to clean energy, thereby providing cleaner air for us all. He thanked the listening session participants and urged them to continue partnering with the state to make progress. 

It was a good day. Because that’s the Sunstone Way. 

And remember, always be a Sunstone!