Energy Exchange

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.

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The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program recently announced additional funding awards for Round 1 applicants, totaling $521.19 million in grants to 51 applicants as part of a broader effort to expand electric vehicle  charging. These funds were allocated to urban and rural areas in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and eight Tribal communities. The funds will help deploy infrastructure in communities and across designated Alternative Fuel Corridors , which were announced as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy to increase charging access for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

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Developing a robust charging infrastructure at and around fleet depots and other facilities where trucks operate is critical to enabling the expeditious deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, also known as the 30C tax credit, is one of the most impactful policies for achieving this end and recent proposed guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury could make this credit available for businesses’ 2024 tax filings to support electrification efforts.  

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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.

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Fall is a time for many of us to return to work after a (hopefully) relaxing summer break. For many state environmental regulators across the U.S., this fall is also an opportunity to dive in on the important issue of reducing methane emissions from oil and gas development. That’s why it is very encouraging that across the nation from Wyoming to Pennsylvania (and even in Texas) several states are already hard at work. 

The EPA issued new standards to limit oil and gas methane pollution in March that for the first time apply to new and existing wells nationwide. These rules will cut pollution by 80% at covered sources according to EPA’s estimates by requiring a variety of actions like ensuring all wells are inspected regularly for leaks, swapping out polluting devices on wells and phasing out routine flaring at newly drilled wells. 

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By Natacha Stamatiou

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.

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