urban planning

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MEMORANDUM

TO: Mirle Bussell, Executive Director of SANTRANS

FROM: Name, USP 100

DATE: January 24, 2013 RE: SANDAG’s Regional Alternative Fuels, Vehicles, and Infrastructure Report

You have asked me to examine SANDAG’s 2009 Regional Alternative Fuels, Vehicles, and Infrastructure Report (RAFVIR). This memorandum will identify, summarize, and evaluate the report’s major objectives, key points, and most promising recommendations, as well as offer my own. Although RAFVIR is outdated, with some additional research, it proposes some realistic solutions to the future of transportation technology in the San Diego region. Overall, I believe the RAFVIR offers a strong foundation for SANTRANS to use as a blueprint for future sustainable transportation planning efforts, with the understanding that the cost of these technologies needs to come down.

Due to the continued reliance on traditional finite petroleum resources, transportation fuel usage in the San Diego region is blamed for almost half of the region’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In a statewide effort to curb global climate change, and set an example for our nation and world, through the use of alternative fuels, the San Diego region offers excellent technologies and opportunities for reduced reliance on petroleum resources. RAFVIR offers a model that could potentially set an example for other California regions to follow and adopt. By use of this model, San Diego has a unique opportunity to set the forefront in reduced traditional fossil fuel dependence; locally, regionally, and ultimately globally. In September 2009, with the assistance of the San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition, SANDAG submitted RAFVIR to the California Energy Commission, as part of a regional energy strategies partnership.

RAFVIR OBJECTIVES The two primary objectives of RAFVIR are to:

• Help public and private stakeholders make educated choices in regards to alternative fuel and vehicle technologies, regarding future fleet applications.

• Identify and recommend local and regional governance that support alternative fuels, vehicles, and infrastructure on a larger scale.

• Ultimately set examples and build infrastructure for general public use. SANDAG identifies these regional stakeholders as the San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition, and the Clean Transportation Program (SDGE), the eTec-Nissan Project, as well as eleven local alternative fuels-related businesses.

SUMMARY OF REPORT SANDAG suggests that the reality of using alternative fuel on a large scale requires the availability of readily and cost efficient fuels, vehicles, and functional infrastructure.

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RAFVIR points out that alternative fuels have the potential to be used for on and non- road vehicles ranging from light-duty to heavy-duty. Fleet uses have been arranged by class and focuses on electric drive, biofuels (ethanol & algae/biomass diesel), hydrogen, natural gas, and propane, as alternative fuel technologies. In order to effectively use these vehicle fleets and fuels, investments in infrastructure networks must be researched and installed throughout the region. Infrastructure development will require storage (e.g., tanks, batteries, etc.), transportation (e.g., pipelines, wiring, etc.), and distribution facilities (e.g., fueling, charging stations, etc.). Electric, natural gas, and propane facilities already have an advantage in the region, as storage and transportation infrastructure already exist. Funding for alternative fuel efforts is available and might be found through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, AB 118, and federal tax incentives.

SANDAG RECOMMENDATIONS The RAFVIR recommendations are listed in order of priority:

• Vehicle and fuel recommendations are prioritized by class and efficiency: • Light-duty vehicles to be fueled by electricity, natural gas, or ethanol. • Medium & heavy-duty applications should be fueled by biodiesel, natural gas,

or propane. • Non-road applications should be fueled by electricity or propane.

• 19 potential projects which need further investigation. • Possible collaborative infrastructure development through a Regional Strategic

Alliance. • The reports also points out some potential measures SANDAG may take as a

follow-up that need additional research. SANTRANS RECOMMENDATIONS Any errors within the RAFVIR result from its dated publication. Before moving forward, SANTRANS will need to look into my following recommendations:

• If any major developments in technology have occurred, that brings down the costs. • Which of the mentioned stakeholders are still interested or in business. • If there are unmentioned stakeholders or start-ups qualified to participate. • What types of funding are still available; and for how much longer. • How much research and development is necessary in the technology sectors before

large scale availability of alternative fuels, vehicles, and infrastructure will be relatively affordable to the public.

• Provide outreach to government and public about the significance of alternative fuels.

In order for SANTRANS to use SANDAG’s RAFVIR as a foundation for future sustainable transportation planning, additional research will need to be done. SANTRANS needs to research available funding, technology, cost-benefit, existing infrastructure, and who the current stakeholders are. Priority for alternative uses should be done by actual GHG emissions reduction, and vehicle use/class that are realistic and cost effective.