Also discussed here: California Charts a Course for Clean Air: Can We Get There from Here?(Union of Concerned Scientists, Sep. 11, 2012)
And here: Vision for Clean Air: A Framework for Air Quality and Climate Planning(California Air Resources Board, Aug. 22, 2012)
Today we review a policy discussion paper from California, already a leader for reduction of vehicle emissions in the USA and internationally, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and hazardous air pollution by 85% over the next 40 years. Scenarios are presented for discussion toward making decisions that would integrate efforts at the state and federal level and among private and public agencies to achieve the targets along the way to 2050. What is different about this plan is that it goes beyond incremental tailpipe emissions at the manufacturing level, commonly used in many states and countries, to try to get to zero emissions in the long run, making use of evolving technology and integrated planning.
Key Quotes:
“Imagine that 8 out of 10 cars on California roads release no tailpipe emissions, that the telltale exhaust plumes of soot from ships sailing into our ports are no longer visible, and that freight trains run on electricity”
“The report analyzes how California might achieve the pollution reductions needed to meet present and future health-based air quality standards as well as an 85 percent reduction in climate change emissions by 2050”
"For the South Coast Air Basin, it is estimated that oxides of nitrogen, one of the key ingredients in ozone and fine particulate formation, must be reduced by around 80 percent from 2010 levels by 2023, and almost 90 percent by 2032”
“Achieve the 0.075 ppm 8-hour federal ozone standard by 2032 by reducing NOx emissions by 90 percent from 2010 levels”
By 2050:
- “Roughly half of all medium- and heavy-duty trucks have zero tailpipe emissions using either electricity or hydrogen fuel cell technology…
- About 80 percent of passenger vehicles are zero tailpipe emissions, either battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell.
- Freight trains operate on electricity when in the Los Angeles area through hybridization or electric grid-based systems.
- Ships transition from burning dirty bunker fuels to cleaner alternatives including low sulfur diesel and liquefied natural gas…
- 90 percent of off-road equipment, such as construction equipment, is low-emission hybrid-electric or zero tailpipe emission battery or hydrogen fuel cell powered.
- Port trucks are powered by overhead electricity lines in urban areas.
- Long-haul tractor-trailers have double the efficiency of today ….”
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