Trucks Clips: August 12, 2024

 

 

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

 

Will Chevron Change NTSB Investigations? — “The Supreme Court’s decision to take an ax to the Chevron doctrine — a longstanding legal principle that provides deference to agencies on rulemakings — could spark challenges to two major rules that guide NTSB investigations — one that excludes victims’ families, and another that allows the NTSB to control the information spigot.” [Politico, 8/12/24 (=)]

 

 

 

The True Cost Of Biden’s Bet On BEVs — “Nationwide, over 90% of the 21 million-plus bused students ride in diesel buses, with most of the rest relying on propane. Fewer than 1% of children today ride on BEV buses, and many of the 12,000 ‘committed’ BEV buses are not yet operational. Despite billions in federal largesse, Hydrogen-powered buses could likely be much more quickly delivered, likely cost less to purchase, and might be much more reliable on a day-to-day basis. Two-thirds of the ‘committed’ BEV buses were funded by the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which in 2022 awarded more than $900 million for nearly 2,300 buses in 365 school districts. The EPA spent another $1 billion the next year to add another 2,700 BEV buses in 270 school districts, and a third round threw another $900 million for 3,177 BEV buses in 500 districts. The Biden Administration’s parting shot includes another round of Clean School Bus Program funding together with the EPA’s new Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Grant Program, which targets refuse haulers, dump trucks, bucket trucks, utility trucks, and other box trucks. School buses get the biggest subsidies from this $1 billion package. Biden did belatedly throw a few billion at hydrogen producers, but little if any went to bolster hydrogen engines.” [RealClearEnergy, 8/9/24 (-)]

 

 

 

Tesla, Inc.

 

Tesla Semi Head Of Biz Dev: ‘We Are Taking Steps To Bring Semi To Europe’ — “Tesla’s Business Development Head for the Semi program said the company is ‘taking steps to bring the Semi to Europe’ after the automaker posted a job for the same position in the European market. The Tesla Semi has been slowly rolling out in the United States with a few handpicked customers, but it has not yet made it to foreign markets. Even still, Tesla has hinted in the past that the Semi would eventually be used for hauling and commercial applications in other markets. In February, CEO Elon Musk even said the truck would be built at Gigafactory Berlin: ‘I think it makes sense to produce the Semi truck in Europe at Giga Berlin.’” [Teslarati, 8/9/24 (=)]

 

 

 

Arizona

 

Phoenix Unveils Hybrid Buses In Push For Zero-Emissions Fleet By 2040 — “Phoenix has taken a significant step towards becoming more environmentally conscious with the recent rollout of its first group of hybrid buses. These vehicles, a blend of hybrid-electric motors and batteries complemented by a biodiesel engine, debuted on the city streets with a nod towards achieving a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. With improved fuel economy and reduced pollution, these hybrids are a quieter, more efficient mode of transportation. In a bold move aiming to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego hailed the introduction of the green buses, stating, ‘Phoenix is proud to lead the charge towards a greener future where our residents can breathe cleaner air while getting them to their destinations.’ As informed by the City of Phoenix’s official newsroom, the mayor shared her excitement over these buses serving the community while steering the city towards sustainability. … Back in August 2022, the Federal Transit Administration supported Phoenix’s green transit initiative, awarding a grant tailored for low and no-emissions buses.” [Hoodline, 8/9/24 (+)]

 

First Batch Of Phoenix Public Transit Hybrid Buses Pass Testing, Active On City Roads — “The first set of Phoenix Public Transit hybrid buses have been released on city roads as the transportation service works toward its goal of a zero-emission bus fleet by 2040, authorities announced Thursday. The city of Phoenix said the newly dispatched buses are equipped with a hybrid-electric motor and batteries and a biodiesel-fueled engine, a combination meant to produce greater fuel economy and less pollution. A New Flyer Xcelsior Hybrid-Electric bus can seat up to 35 passengers, with the capability to hold 53 with standing room, and has three wheelchair areas. Each bus has a driving range of more than 500 miles, according to a government press release. ‘As we aim to be the most sustainable desert city in the world, we are doing our part to cut emissions, adopt the latest technology, and encourage residents to make climate-conscious decisions. I’m excited to see our brand-new buses hit the road to serve Phoenicians,’ Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a press release.” [KTAR-TV, 8/9/24 (=)]

 

New Hybrid Buses On The Road In Phoenix — “The first group of hybrid buses has passed all tests and now traveling along Phoenix roads. The buses use a combination of a hybrid-electric motor and batteries and a biodiesel-fueled engine. The New Flyer Xcelsior Hybrid-Electric bus can accommodate 35 passengers (53 with maximum standing capacity), has three wheelchair areas and has a driving range of more than 500 miles, officials stated in a release. Currently, Phoenix Public Transit has a fleet of 500 heavy-duty buses that run on alternative fuels, including natural gas and biodiesel. ‘We do our best to serve our riders with a reliable public transit service to get them where they need to go,’ Public Transit Director Jesús Sapien said. ‘And providing cleaner energy buses to our existing fleet is yet another way we are adding to that service.’” [Your Valley, 8/10/24 (+)]

 

California

 

Oakland Unified Debuts All-Electric Fleet Of School Buses; 1st In The Nation — “The Oakland Unified School District is rolling out the nation’s first all-electric school bus fleet and providing a template to move away from pollution-producing diesel buses. The district’s 74 EV buses will be entrusted with transporting all of the district’s 1,300 special education children beginning with the start of the school year Monday. Unlike other school districts, OUSD supplies buses only for special needs students, while offering free passes for AC Transit buses for the larger student population. The new buses will not only result in less greenhouse gas emissions, but parents and schools can monitor precisely where the kids are thanks to a new integrated platform, and the buses can send power to California’s grid when not in use. Some 27 million children in the United States take a yellow school bus to school every year. Half Moon Bay student Sam Shenkman loves buses and has ridden them for years, but the experience concerned his parents. ‘Although he is bold and brave, and has a big personality, we worry about him,’ said his mother, Julie Shenkman.” [CBS News, 8/9/24 (=)]

 

FLorida

 

Going Green In Your Community — “Preserving your community for future generations can take many forms. It might mean volunteering with local organizations and participating in community improvement initiatives. Taking steps to protect the environment is another critical way to ensure your community remains safe and livable for generations to come. These ideas show that going green can be as simple as making small modifications to everyday actions you already take. … Pollution from transportation accounts for 29% of the United States’ emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That’s a higher percentage than any other category measured by the EPA. Carpooling, public transportation and even carefully planning your route are ways you can take personal accountability to help reduce the problem. Another way to improve transportation emissions is by talking to your school district about its school bus choices. Diesel school buses are not only expensive to operate, but they are harmful to children’s health, the community and the climate, according to data compiled by the Propane Education & Research Council. Conversely, propane reduces harmful emissions that impact student health and air quality in the community. By advocating for your district to convert to a more environmentally friendly transportation option, such as propane, you can help further reduce harmful emissions in your community.” [Daytona Times, 8/9/24 (=)]

 

Michigan

 

State To Fund Eco-Friendly School Buses — “More eco-friendly school buses will be taking children to and from school in Alpena County. This is because the Alpena Public School District is one of 29 school districts that received funds from the Michigan Clean School Bus grant program. The program is hosted by the Michigan Department of Education, which recently distributed $30 million to Michigan school districts so they can replace their current school buses with environmentally friendly ones. According to the department’s press release announcing the grant program, the funding can be used on buses that run on electricity, propane, or natural gas. … Golzynski said the funds are coming out of a $125 million fiscal year budget, and this was just one round of dispersing the grants. She said the funds come from a larger partnership with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, who according to a previous press release have received funding for clean energy school buses through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.” [WCMU-Radio, 8/9/24 (=)]

 

These 29 Michigan School Districts Are Adding New Clean Energy Buses — “Another batch of more environmentally friendly school buses is on the way for Michigan schools. Through the state’s Clean School Bus grant program, 29 school districts will receive nearly $30 million from the Michigan Department of Education to replace old diesel school buses.” [MLive, 8/9/24 (+)]

 

 

 

RESPONSES TO THIS EMAIL ARE NOT MONITORED

 

 

To receive Trucks Clips and other Clean Vehicles Coalition (CVC) materials, please contact:

 

RILEY GILLIS – Program Assistant (He/Him)

(rgillis@partnershipproject.org)  

 

 

For any other questions or comments, please contact:

 

MITCH DUNN – Director of Media Monitoring and Analysis, Beehive Research (He/Him)

(mitch@beehivedc.com)

 

 

***