California governor orders more sustainable-transportation initiatives

California Gov. Jerry Brown recently released executive order B-32-15 to encourage further sustainable-transportation projects.

The order calls for the secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, the secretary of the California State Transportation Agency and the secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to collaborate with other relevant state departments, such as the California Department of Transportation, the California Air Resources Board, the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, and the California Energy Commission to create a plan for more sustainable-transportation options. The integrated plan is due by July 2016 and should provide clear targets for zero-emission technologies, freight efficiency and competitive freight systems.

Additionally, the action plan should identify state programs, policies and investments that need to be implemented to attain the targets. Existing state strategies, such as  Sustainable Freight Pathways to Zero and Near-Zero Emissions, the California Freight Mobility Plan and Integrated Energy Policy Report, should be used to make the plan. The developers should also request broad public input.

To guarantee that there is progress in a sustainable freight system, work should begin this year to create corridor-level freight pilot projects. These should be made inside California’s primary trade corridors, which serve to provide alternative fuels, advanced technologies, local economic development opportunities, and freight and fuel infrastructure.