The California Energy Commission has approved two major investment plans, one for clean energy research, and one for an annual clean transportation investment plan.

The Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program provides funds every year for projects intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs in California. To date, investments total over $400 million in some 250 projects.

“The Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program invests in projects that are anticipated to spark innovation to transform California’s transportation fleet,” said Commissioner Janea A. Scott. “The plan the Commission approved today will guide investments toward projects that are intended to help California meet its climate and clean air goals.”

The Energy Commission also approved funding of $3.8 million in grants from last year’s investment plan for electric and natural gas fueling stations, alternative fuel readiness plans, fuel cell delivery vans and the establishment of a sustainable transportation center.

Grants include:

• $1.1 million to the Center for Transportation and the Environment to develop and deploy fuel cell hybrid electric walk-in delivery vans.
• $1.1 million to the University of California, Davis, to establish a National Center for Sustainable Transportation.
• $300,000 grants to several municipal authorities to develop Alternative Fuel Readiness Plans.
• $200,000 to the City of Davis to develop a plan for additional plug-in electric charging stations.

Source: California Energy Commission via Green Car Congress
Image: Nicolas Raymond