Get Big Pivots

Another new board in Colorado, this to advise on transportation

Seven individuals, three from state agencies, have been appointed to a new Community Access Enterprise Board by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

The board will oversee the shift from internal combustion engines in Colorado’s vehicles to electric ones. State officials expect the enterprise to receive $310 million to support electric vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure during the next decade. The money will also be used for adoption of EVs and electric bicycles by those of low and moderate incomes.

This is an outcome of SB21-260, the big transportation bill passed by legislators in June.

Those appointed were:

  • The Rev. Eugene Downing of the New Hope Baptist Church.
  • Sarah Meirose, who works in government affairs at the Ford Motor Co.
  • Alice Laird, director of the Carbondale-based Clean Energy Economy for the region.
  • Ryan Hurst, treasurer of Motiv Power Systems, Inc., a sustainable energy technology company, delivering all-electric chassis and turnkey energy systems for a wide variety of medium duty vehicle fleets.
  • Shoshana Lew, director of the Colorado Department of Transportation.
  • Trisha Oeth, director of environmental policy, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
  • Will Toor, director of the Colorado Energy Office.

Heavy duty truckMedium- and heavy-duty truck study results to be discussed at webinars

Results of a recently issued study about medium- and heavy-duty trucks in Colorado will be the subject at public webinars on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and again on Nov. 20 at 9:30 a.m.

The study found that medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles will provide net cost savings for fleets due to lower fuel and maintenance costs while also significantly reducing emissions. In 2020, Gov. Jared Polis signed a 15-state memorandum of understanding to advance a transition toward ZEV trucks.

The state’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap identified transportation as the single largest source of GHG pollution in Colorado, and of that sector medium- and heavy-duty vehicles were responsible for 25% of greenhouse emissions as well as ozone precursors.

For the press release, go here.

 

hydrogen fuel cell busColorado study identifies pilot projects and other next steps for hydrogen

Hydrogen seems to be where solar was maybe 15 to 25 years ago. Great idea – but who can afford it?

But a report commissioned by the Colorado Energy Office sees more near-term opportunities for hydrogen even as technological issues and costs continue to be worked out.

The most promising short-term application lies in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sector, says the report, “Opportunities for Low-Carbon Hydrogen in Colorado: A Roadmap.”

In the medium term, there’s significant potential in the electric sector, especially as greenhouse gas pollution reduction targets exceed 80% to 90% and the need for firm zero carbon generation or long-duration, multi-day storage increases.

Eventually, hydrogen could replace fossil gas use for electric peaking generation —such as on hot summer afternoons. This could be done by both hydrogen production through grid-powered electrolysis and hydrogen-fueled electric generation.

The report says hydrogen produced from renewables could achieve cost parity with hydrogen from steam-methane reforming with carbon capture and storage by the mid-2030s.

The report by Energy & Environmental Economics, a consulting firm, identifies potential actions, including development of pilot projects in the electricity generation sector and in the gas-distribution sector. It also recommends investigating regional hydrogen hubs.

See press release here.

Allen Best
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