At mid-day Jan 9, California state administration officials,
industry, academic experts and stakeholders held a press briefing
about establishing a Low Carbon Fuel Standard for transportation
fuels sold in California. Later in the day, Governor Schwarzenegger
included the proposal in his State of the State Address. "This is a
big deal. This policy will be noticed worldwide," said Eric Heitz of
the Energy Foundation, describing yet another example of California
leading the world in aggressive, systematic efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.

Under the plan, by 2020 the standard will reduce the carbon intensity
of California's passenger vehicle fuels by at least 10 percent. This
first-of-its kind standard will support AB 32 emissions targets as
part of California's overall strategy to fight global warming.

Much of the discussion at the event (45-minute video stream viewable
at <http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/5074/>, along with a
press release explaining the measure) revolved around what agencies
planning the initial implementation stages for AB32 are calling
"early actions."

PHEV advocates have been predicting that the more planners consider
the options, the better plug-in vehicles will look -- because the
infrastructure already exists, and because finally, we have the
prospects of auto-makers delivering plug-in hybrids. We expect that
PHEVs will now start to assume their logical, merited position among
the diverse fuel and vehicle strategies to address greenhouse gas
reductions. And remarks at this briefing confirm that PHEVs are
starting to show up all over. Following are a few quotes from the briefing

DAN SKOPEC, Undersecretary, California Environmental Protection
Agency: We already are seeing auto manufacturers producing flex-fuel
vehicles that can use E85, that's 85% ethanol, 15%
gasoline....Electricity: We already have a small number of battery
electric vehicles, we have hybrid electric vehicles and we see a
future where we are going to see plug-in electric vehicles.
Electricity will be a source for this, and that's why you see some of
the people here today.

Dr. ROBERT SAWYER, Chair, California Air Resources Board: We believe
that in concert with other programs that the Air Resources Board has,
you will see a greatly increased number of alternative fuel and
various hybrid and electric vehicles. Perhaps 7 million such vehicles
on the road 13 years from now or in 2020. [Later, responding to press
question]: The auto industry worldwide is indicating that they're
moving toward electric drive systems which fits in beautifully with
greater use of electricity, either through plug-in hybrids or through
electric vehicles.

TOM KING, CEO, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E): Hybrid electric
vehicles that plug in to California's electric grid are 62% cleaner
than the conventionally fueled cars. PG&E will remain focused on
making that percentage grow, by supporting and continuing our effort
and developing renewable technology and providing the infrastructure
to allow for that new grid to take place....PGE is committed to
working with the governor and our customers on these technologies...

MIKE BRITT, Vice President, Maintenance, United Parcel Service (UPS):
We at UPS have an extensive alternative fuel program nationwide. ...
We run approximately 450 alternative fuel vehicles nationwide,
outside of the state of California, as well as electric vehicles that
Tom just had mentioned. UPS would like to invite all entities,
private and government, to come into the alternative fuel market....

ROLAND HWANG, Vehicle Policy Director, Natural Resources Defense
Council [responding to press question]: Basically 2 broad categories
for fuel providers to pursue. One would be blending of more low
carbon fuels into the existing gasoline supply, and that you can do
with all the vehicles on the roads. The second general class of
options are fuels that are truly alternatives to gasoline; that's
E85, hydrogen, electric like plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Those
will require cooperation from the auto makers.

Others who appeared at this event, all of whom spoke in general terms
about fuel diversity
Linda Adams, Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency
David Crane, Senior Advisor to the Governor
Bob Epstein, President and Founder, Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)
Eric Heitz, President, Energy Foundation
Bill Jones, Chairman of the Board, Pacific Ethanol, Inc
Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, Chair, California Energy Commission

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Felix Kramer fkramer@...
Founder California Cars Initiative
http://www.calcars.org
http://www.calcars.org/news-archive.html
http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/power
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