CAP Luncheon: Readying Our Region for Investment
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s February 2022 Virtual Quarterly Luncheon, attendees will learn about and take steps to coordinate around several upcoming Federal and State funding programs to improve mobility, air quality, and more. RSVP Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrc-GgpzIqHNyrtk9ZlYAUHXNNn48d2hwV
CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, Union Pacific, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, North State Building Industry Association, CEMEX, PG&E, and the Healthy Air Alliance.
CAP events are free to attend; registration is required for planning purposes. Email Adrian Rehn with any questions or call (707) 813-1913.
Zero Emission Hydrogen Locomotive Pilot – West Sacramento
read the Community Impact Analysis!
Advanced transportation technologies play a critical role in meeting climate goals and fostering innovative regional economies
Sierra Northern Railway will be building and testing a new hydrogen fuel cell locomotive at the Port of West Sacramento that will demonstrate how hydrogen-fueled switching locomotives improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the quality of life for surrounding communities.
The new zero-emission switching locomotive will use advanced hydrogen technology to replace a diesel locomotive. There are more than 260 switcher locomotives that operate in California-currently all powered by diesel. This hydrogen switching locomotive will be the first of its kind, proof of concept project by Sierra Northern Railway, and will feature hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen storage, and battery and control technologies that are much more environmentally friendly than diesel. If proven successful, hydrogen switchers could revolutionize the locomotive industry.
What is a switcher locomotive?
A switcher locomotive, also called a switching locomotive, operates within rail yards and is used to assemble and disassemble trains short distances-similar to a tugboat. Because switchers stay in a small area, reducing switching locomotive emissions will immediately improve regional air quality and in the long term, reduce ozone levels.
Once the new hydrogen-fueled switcher locomotive is completed, it is estimated to replace up to 10,000 gallons of conventional diesel fuel per year. The demonstration of hydrogen switcher will lead to improvements in air quality, as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and odor that will benefit the residents of West Sacramento, as well as the wildlife that surrounds the area.
The project
The purpose of this project is to convert an existing diesel locomotive into a zero-emission hydrogen-fueled locomotive. The project team will demonstrate and validate the hydrogen switcher technology which will establish a platform for widespread commercialization in the near future. The potential market for hydrogen locomotives in California includes more than 260 switcher locomotives.
As part of this project, Valley Vision is conducting community outreach to determine how the new and cleaner locomotive will affect the surrounding area. As well, Valley Vision will analyze the data pertaining to diesel switchers and will determine if it would be feasible to convert the remaining diesel switchers in California to hydrogen.
Funding for this project was made possible through the California Energy Commission. Sierra Northern Railway is the technical lead and has partnered with GTI as the formal applicant to the California Energy Commission. In addition to Valley Vision, other technical partners are Railpower Tech LLC, Ballard Power Systems, Optifuel Systems LLC, Velocity Strategies, Southern California Gas Company, and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.
Should you have any questions, please contact Grace Kaufman at Grace.Kaufman@ValleyVision.org
Legal Notice
This document was prepared as a result of work sponsored by the California Energy Commission. It does not necessarily represent the views of the Energy Commission, its employees, or the State of California. Neither the Commission, the State of California, nor the Commission’s employees, contractors, or subcontractors makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability for the information in this document; nor does any party represent that the use of this information will not infringe upon privately owned rights. This document has not been approved or disapproved by the Commission, nor has the Commission passed upon the accuracy of the information in this document. “2022 Valley Vision. All Rights Reserved.”
CAP Luncheon: Transportation and Infrastructure (December 2021)
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s December 2021 *Virtual* Quarterly Luncheon, attendees learned about important regional transportation projects planned and already underway, with a focus on Yolo County, and how our region can maximize forthcoming funding from the Federal Infrastructure Bill. CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region.
Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, Union Pacific, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, North State Building Industry Association, PG&E, and the Healthy Air Alliance.
Guest Speakers:
- Kristina Svensk, Director of Transportation (Sacramento Area Council of Governments – SACOG) (Presentation)
- Autumn Bernstein, Executive Director (Yolo County Transportation District) (Presentation)
CAP Luncheon: Transportation & Infrastructure
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s December 2021 Virtual Quarterly Luncheon, attendees will learn about important regional transportation projects planned and already underway, and how they will impact air quality. RSVP Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcodeCtrz0jHtIyYhhh0iHthJnNP7dO5qqi
CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, Union Pacific, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, North State Building Industry Association, PG&E, Healthy Air Alliance, and the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.
CAP events are free to attend; registration is required for planning purposes. Email Adrian Rehn with any questions or call (707) 813-1913.
Fall 2021 Agriculture and Natural Resources Regional Advisory: Water Conservation
Strong Workforce Program
CAP Luncheon: Intersection of Climate & Air Quality (September 2021)
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s September 2021 *Virtual* Quarterly Luncheon, attendees learned about the intersection of air quality and climate change, with a focus on local Climate Action Plans and connectivity to the 2022 CARB Scoping Plan update. We had a great lineup of experts with diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for local action that address both climate and air quality inequities. CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region.
Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, Union Pacific, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, North State Building Industry Association, PG&E, and the Healthy Air Alliance.
Guest Speakers:
- Rajinder Sahota, Deputy Executive Officer for Climate Change and Research, CA Air Resources Board (Presentation)
- Michael McCormick, Founder & President, Farallon Strategies (Presentation)
- Nailah Pope-Harden, Executive Director, ClimatePlan (Presentation)
CAP Luncheon: Connecting Climate & Air Quality
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s September 2021 *Virtual* Quarterly Luncheon, attendees will learn about the intersection of air quality and climate change, with a focus on Climate Action Plans. These two topics are often separated based on how each is discussed, regulated, and addressed, despite being deeply connected issues. RSVP Now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElf-Cgqj4tHdEckdl-yifvxJtUhVLB21Vl
CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, Union Pacific, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, North State Building Industry Association, PG&E, Healthy Air Alliance, and the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.
AP events are free to attend; registration is required for planning purposes. Email Adrian Rehn with any questions or call (707) 813-1913.
CAP Luncheon: Fire & Smoke in Sacramento (June 2021)
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s June 2021 *Virtual* Quarterly Luncheon, attendees learned about health impacts of wildfire smoke, and what local organizations are doing to address it. The event featured guest speakers, including Pat Dwyer of the El Dorado County Fire Safety Council, who presented on rural wildfire, smoke prevention and mitigation. Patrick Guild, Chief Operating Officer at Breathe Sacramento shared information on AB 661 and urban smoke emergency planning, while Vanessa Walker, DO and Medical Director for Sutter Health’s Valley Area eICU, discussed the human-scale health impacts of wildfire smoke.
CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, Union Pacific, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, North State Building Industry Association, PG&E, Healthy Air Alliance, and the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.
Guest Speakers:
- Roger “Pat” Dwyer, El Dorado County Fire Safe Council (Presentation)
- Patrick Guild, Chief Operating Officer, Breathe California Sacramento Region (Presentation)
- Vanessa Walker, DO, Medical Director, Valley Area eICU, Sutter Health
Spring 2021 Agriculture and Manufacturing Advisory: Automation & AI
Strong Workforce Program
Federal Clean Air Advocacy Materials (April 2021)
The Cleaner Air Partnership (CAP) is a unique collaboration between Breathe California Sacramento Region, the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Valley Vision, working to ensure that the region meets clean air standards that protect health, promote economic growth, and support equity.
In late April and early May 2021, CAP invited its members and stakeholders to elevate regional air quality priorities across 14 distinct “Cap-to-Cap”-style virtual advocacy meetings with Congressional representatives, Committee and Agency staff, and others to share regional priorities around three key topics: (1.) wildfire/forest health, (2.) mobility/electrification, and (3.) emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Participants in the meetings included air quality regulators, elected officials, environmental justice advocates, industry representatives, and others. The Policy Papers developed for each issue area were workshopped at a March 2021 CAP Luncheon, and can be accessed below:
Advocacy meetings were held with the following offices:
- Senator Alex Padilla
- Congressman John Garamendi
- Congressman Tom McClintock
- Congressman Ami Bera
- Congressman Doug LaMalfa
- Minority/Majority Senate Committee on Ag. Nutrition & Forestry, Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources
- Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works (Majority)
- Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works (Minority)
- House Select Committee on Climate Crisis
- House Natural Resources – Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands (Majority)
- House Natural Resources – Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands (Minority)
- USDA Forest Service, Office of Legislative Affairs
- US Environmental Protection Agency
- Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)
The Cleaner Air Partnership plans to continue its clean air advocacy activities as part of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s annual Cap-to-Cap Federal advocacy program.
Climate, Justice, and Jobs Summit (March 2021)
Join the effort to build an inclusive pipeline to grow green jobs in the Sacramento Region! Workforce demands are shifting across our region in response to the climate crisis, policy mandates, and economic drivers.
The Climate, Justice, and Jobs Summit, which took place on Tuesday, March 30th, 2021 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, explored how our region’s response to this critical moment will determine the roadmap for access to high-road clean economy jobs as we move to a low carbon economy.
Spearheaded by City of Sacramento Councilmember Eric Guerra and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Executive Director Dr. Alberto Ayala, this event included presentations on current climate legislation, justice and inclusion, and workforce development efforts. We also heard from a panel of youth and community members working in clean economy jobs, learn about their pathway, roadblocks, and effective supports.
More info and full agenda can be found here: https://www.valleyvision.org/projects/climate-justice-and-jobs-summit/
CAP Luncheon: Federal and State Air Quality Advocacy (March 2021)
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s March 2021 *Virtual* Quarterly Luncheon, attendees learned about CAP’s early plans for Federal and State advocacy, featuring a “lay of the land” overview of Federal priorities from Miles Keogh, Executive Director of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA), regional priorities for Federal advocacy from Erik White, Air Pollution Control Officer at the Placer County Air Pollution Control District, and a digest of State-level priorities from Alberto Ayala, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer at the Sac Metro Air District.
CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, Union Pacific, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, the Healthy Air Alliance, and the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.
Guest Speakers (PowerPoint Presentation linked here):
- Miles Keogh, Executive Director of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA)
- Erik White, Air Pollution Control Officer at the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD)
- Alberto Ayala, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer at the Sac Metro Air District (SMAQMD)