ASSEMBLYMEMBER TED LIEU
53RD ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: February 21, 2008
Contact: David Ford
Phone: (916) 319-2053

Assemblymember Lieu Introduces Legislation to Require the Greening of State Heavy Duty Fleet

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) introduced legislation that would target emissions of medium and heavy duty vehicles in the State fleet. AB 2560 builds upon Assemblyman Lieu’s AB 236 (Chapter 593, Statutes of
2007) and would require the state to take steps to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote lower polluting alternative fuels.

“Assemblyman Lieu took an important step last year by requiring the state to buy new passenger vehicles that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum consumption. But the best opportunity to reduce pollution may be in the state’s fleet of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which are significant polluters,” according to Todd Campbell of Clean Energy Fuels. “There are many options for the state to shift to clean, cost-effective alternative-fueled trucks that will clean up the air, reduce our dependence on oil and save the state money. It’s a triple win.” Clean Energy Fuels is California’s largest supplier of natural gas transportation fuels and a member of the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition.

Each year, California purchases an average of 5,100 vehicles for its state fleet, yet there is no requirement for any of those vehicles to actually run on alternative fuels. AB 236 required the Department of General Services to consider fuel cost and economy, emissions, hybrid or “Best in Class” vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles before awarding a vehicle procurement contract to a state agency.

While the provisions of AB 236 were limited to light duty cars, there are potentially significant petroleum reduction opportunities in medium and heavy duty trucks. AB 2560 would include these types of vehicles in the AB 236 criteria. The state owns thousands of medium and heavy duty trucks that are big diesel polluters. AB 2560 would close this loophole, ensuring that the entire state fleet be included in emission reduction standards.

"Clean alternative fuels are quite effective in large truck fleets, and I want to make sure the state is pursuing every opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from this sector of the state fleet," said Assemblymember Lieu. “The State of California should not only lead by setting standards in greenhouse gas policy, but also by example. California should practice the same policies that we ask our citizens to live by.”

This bill will be heard in policy committees in the upcoming months.