More than $2 Million Approved for Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure
SACRAMENTO – The California Energy Commission today approved two reports that track the state’s path to a clean energy future, and also funded the continued operation and maintenance of 16 hydrogen refueling stations located strategically throughout California.
At a business meeting, the Energy Commission adopted the Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR), a key report that assesses and updates major energy trends and issues facing the state’s electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel sectors. The report provides policy recommendations to conserve resources and protect the environment while maintaining energy reliability.
The IEPR release comes as California is taking ambitious steps to lower its greenhouse gas emissions. The report suggests that a downward trend in greenhouse gas emissions must be initiated in the next three years to avoid extreme climate change impacts. It also suggests that the state’s electric grid must evolve to support a low-carbon future that integrates solar and wind energy.
The Energy Commission also approved the California Energy Demand Forecast for 2018-2030. The report presents baseline forecasts of natural gas and electricity consumption and of peak demand for California and utility planning areas. The report includes estimates of additional achievable energy efficiency savings and photovoltaic adoption and provides options for managed electricity forecasts for resource planning.
The forecasts are used in a number of ways, including in planning proceedings for the California Independent System Operator’s transmission plans and the California Public Utilities Commission for integrated resource and distributed resource planning.
The Energy Commission approved more than $2 million for operating and maintaining 16 publicly accessible existing hydrogen refueling stations statewide, from San Diego to Truckee. The funds come from the Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, which invests in advanced alternative and renewable fuels and vehicle technologies. Hydrogen stations are key to achieving Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s target to place 5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2030. The Governor’s Executive Order calls for 250,000 electric vehicle charging stations and 200 hydrogen fueling stations by 2025.
More details on actions taken today by the Energy Commission are available in the business meeting agenda.
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About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. The agency was established by the California Legislature through the Warren-Alquist Act in 1974. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation and preparing for energy emergencies.
Source: energy.ca.gov
