California releases sustainable freight action plan

The state wants to deploy 100,000 zero emission freight vehicles, as well as maximize zero and near-zero equipment and equipment powered by renewable energy for cargo operations by 2030.    The heads of several California state agencies have released a draft California Sustainable Freight Action Plan.
   The plan was developed in response to an order from Governor Jerry Brown last July that directed state agencies to “improve freight efficiency, transition to zero-emission technologies and increase the competitiveness of California’s freight system.”
  The plan recommends:
     • A long-term 2050 vision and guiding principles for California’s future freight transport system;
     • Targets for 2030 to guide the State toward meeting that long-term vision;
     • Improving freight system efficiency 25 percent by “increasing the value of goods and services produced from the freight sector, relative to the amount of carbon that it produces by 2030”;
     • Deploying over 100,000 zero-emission freight vehicles and equipment and maximizing near-zero equipment and equipment powered by renewable energy by 2030.
     • And fostering future economic growth within the freight and goods movement industry by promoting flexibility, efficiency, investment, and best business practices through state policies and programs that create a positive environment for growing freight volumes, while working with industry to lessen immediate potential negative economic impacts.
   California says while freight transport is a major economic engine for the state, emissions from ships, harbor craft, trucks, locomotives, cargo equipment, aircraft and other freight participants account for about half of toxic diesel particulate matter (PM 2.5), 45 percent of the emissions of nitrogen oxides that form ozone and fine particulate matter in the atmosphere, and 6 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in California.
   The state is inviting comment on the plan from industry stakeholders and the general public through July 6.