By Maaz Haider
As the world grapples with the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, the impacts of climate change have become a tangible concern for millions of people. Among the largest contributors to this crisis is transportation, the largest source of U.S. emissions, and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles have an outsized impact.
Louisiana’s state and federal lawmakers recognize the energy landscape is changing and see the opportunity to leverage the state’s long history in fossil fuel extraction, transportation and processing to attract investment in the booming climate technology sector.
By Michael Zimmerman and Neda Deylami
The market for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the U.S. is rapidly expanding. As of October 2024, 11 states have adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which requires manufacturers to produce increasing amounts of zero-emission MHDVs, and more are considering adopting this standard. Key policies like the ACT will be essential to ensuring customers’ access to zero-emission trucks and buses.
By Micheal Zimmerman and Dakoury Godo-Solo
As medium- and heavy-duty vehicles speed toward electrification, the build-out of charging infrastructure must keep pace. How utilities incorporate transportation into foundational utility functions will inform where, when, and how fast electric vehicles come online. These decisions fall mainly under the authority of state utility regulators (Public Utility Commissions) rather than transportation regulators. Therefore, advocates interested in supporting MHDV electrification should engage with PUCs in addition to more traditional advocacy avenues such as legislation.
by Maia Draper & Phillip Martin
Transportation accounts for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions in Texas. Throughout the state, areas with the greatest concentration of traffic are often found to be in nonattainment — a designation from the Environmental Protection Agency that pollution levels exceed air quality standards. Texas’ cities can engage in transportation and environmental planning that reduces pollution and improves health outcomes for communities around the state.
The Posidonia shipping exhibition in Greece put innovation on display, yet what stood out was the industry’s cautious approach to decarbonization, particularly the absence of discussions on lifecycle analysis of marine fuels. This is crucial as we approach the 82nd Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting at the International Maritime Organization in September, where negotiations to account for the full lifecycle of marine fuels will be key to designing measures to achieve essential emissions reductions goals and decarbonize the sector.
