Los Angeles, CA, July 2009 – According the LA Metro Magazine’s July issue, the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has been utilizing a multi-modal online trip planner known as “goroo” which is designed to provide the residents of northeastern Illinois with side-by-side comparisons of trip itineraries using transit, driving, walking, biking or a combination of these options.  The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which put out a request for proposals for a multi-modal trip planner in 2005, funded the $1 million demonstration project.  While other cities competed for the funding, Chicago was chosen as the pilot site with the hope of replication elsewhere later on.   According to Gerry Tumbali, manager of Engineering & Technology for the RTA, “the FTA envisioned a web-based multi-modal trip planner that would allow users to choose from travel options that incorporate convenience, efficiency and cost among other features, while utilizing all forms of available transportation. goroo is truly the first online trip planner that combines all transportation options into a single resource — including (transit) driving, walking and biking directions.” Added Steve Schlickman, RTA Executive Director, “we’re very excited about this new trip planning tool that we hope will help increase transit ridership while reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.” “goroo equips anyone using it with valuable information that can help them save money and time, which is highly desirable during these challenging economic times,” he added.

Rensselaer, NY, June 29, 2009 -- The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) reports that it is looking at how the adoption of electric vehicles might impact the power grid of New York State. In a briefing paper, Alternate Route: Electrifying the Transportation Sector, the NYISO provides a preliminary look at the potential impact of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on New York State’s electricity system.  “PHEVs and other electric-powered vehicles hold the promise of significant environmental and economic benefits,” said Stephen G. Whitley, NYISO President and CEO. “If New York motorists start plugging-in significant numbers of PHEVs, we will see new demands on the grid. However, if deployed with technology and incentives to encourage favorable charging patterns, PHEVs can offer valuable new ways to store electricity produced in off-peak periods. That energy storage potential could enhance the grid’s use of wind power,” Whitley explained. Wind power projects tend to produce more electricity in the early morning hours, a period when current demand for electricity is relatively low.  .  The NYISO paper notes that off-peak charging would be encouraged by the deployment of Smart Grid/Advanced Metering Initiatives in combination with appropriate rate design. PHEV prospects have been enhanced by public policy developments encouraging electric-drive vehicles. Plug-ins are expected to be rolled out to consumers in significant numbers in the next few years. President Barack Obama has called for a million plug-in hybrids on U.S. roads by 2015.

Washington, DC, June 29, 2009 -- Between 2010 and 2030, the United States will spend as much as $30 trillion on oil, coal, and other fossil fuels - nearly four times the total earnings of all American workers in 2007 according to a new report "The High Cost of Fossil Fuels: Why America Can’t Afford to Depend on Dirty Energy" by Environment America, which analyzes government data on energy. The United States is on track to spend as much as $1.3 trillion on oil alone in 2030, 78 percent of the nation’s total spending on fossil fuels. The national bill for fossil fuels in 2008 exceeded $1 trillion for the first time ever – more than was spent on education or the military. And by 2030, the U.S. could spend as much as $1.7 trillion per year on fossil fuels. “This Independence Day, we are calling on Congress to break our dependence on Big Oil and Dirty Coal,” said Emily Figdor of Environment America.  “Instead of allowing the costs of fossil fuels to continue to mount, Congress should repower America with clean, renewable energy that will create jobs and stop global warming.”  The report states that by 2030, the US could spend as much as $1.7 trillion per year on fossil fuels – an additional $1,500 for every man, woman, and child nationwide.  The report also includes state-by-state data.  Reflecting on the passage June 24th of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) by the House, Figdor said, “while the dramatic shift we need in our energy policy and the dire scientific predictions regarding global warming demand that we go much further, the first step is always the hardest.  We learn to walk before we can run; this historic act by Congress gets us up on our feet and heading toward a clean energy economy.”

Washington, DC, June 29, 2009 – In the sweeping energy bill passed by the House on June 26, federal loans to OEMs and suppliers would double to $50 billion for the development of electric powered (EV) and other advanced technology vehicles, reports Automotive News.  The bill, which is the first legislation to address global warming by reducing GHG emissions, squeaked by on a 219-212 vote, and is now in the Senate where its passage is less certain.   President Barack Obama worked hard to secure passage of the bill, which urges the development not only of vehicles but the charging infrastructure necessary to refuel them.  In an announcement last week, Energy Secretary Steven Chu awarded nearly $6 billion of a requested to $11 billion to Ford Motor Company for plant retooling that will allow it to produce fuel-efficient cars in addition to electric vehicles.  Nearly $2 billion was awarded to Nissan Motor Company to produce 100,000 EVs in Tennessee while $465 million was given to California’s Tesla Motors to develop EVs in California.  The remaining $17 billion is expected to be distributed among other automakers and parts suppliers in the coming months.  The bill requires electric utilities to ‘consider’ creating charging stations in multiple places, including homes and highway rest stops.  The Obama administration wants to see one million EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles on roads throughout the US by 2015.  

Washington, DC, June 30, 2009 – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted California’s waiver request that enables the state to enforce its greenhouse gas emissions standards for new motor vehicles, beginning with the current model year, according to an agency press release.  “This decision puts the law and science first. After review of the scientific findings, and another comprehensive round of public engagement, I have decided this is the appropriate course under the law,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “This waiver is consistent with the Clean Air Act as it’s been used for the last 40 years and supports the prerogatives of the 13 states and the District of Columbia who have opted to follow California’s lead. More importantly, this decision reinforces the historic agreement on nationwide emissions standards developed by a broad coalition of industry, government and environmental stakeholders earlier this year.” The first California waiver request was made in December 2005 and was subsequently denied in March 2008. This previous decision was based on an interpretation of the Clean Air Act finding that California did not have a need for its greenhouse gas emission standards to meet “compelling and extraordinary conditions.”  Shortly after taking office in January, President Barack Obama directed EPA to assess the appropriateness of denying the waiver.  With the decision to grant the California waiver, EPA returns to its traditional legal interpretation of the Clean Air Act that has been applied consistently during the past 40 years. The EPA found that California continues to have a need for its motor vehicle emissions program, including the greenhouse gas standards and that the state’s program meets legal requirements regarding the protectiveness of public health and welfare as well as technological feasibility. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the decision a "huge step for our emerging green economy that will create thousands of new jobs and bring Californians the cars they want while reducing greenhouse gas emissions." Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), a longtime advocate of the waiver, said the EPA did "what is right for the people of California, the environment and the many states in the union that intend to follow California's lead in cleaning up tailpipe emissions."