California is a global leader on policies to reduce the emissions causing climate change. But transportation has proven a particularly challenging sector to decarbonize. Today, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) released a draft scope of work for a major transportation study that will help steer the state towards its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. Authorized by AB 74—the Budget Act of 2019—the study will be led by the University of California Institute of Transportation Studies (UC ITS), with branches at UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and UCLA. The UC Davis Policy Institute for Energy, Environment, and the Economy will contribute policy expertise to complement the research.
Part of the mission of the UC ITS is to help California maximize the economic, environmental, and social benefits of transportation investments. The CalEPA study will harness the combined world-class research expertise of all ITS branches to map out a viable pathway to carbon neutrality for California’s transportation sector. Researchers will explore opportunities to electrify light- and heavy-duty vehicles, increase clean-fuel alternatives, and policy options to reduce vehicles miles traveled (VMT) while improving mobility. The study will also develop strategies for improving transportation equity, increasing transportation access, and expanding quality jobs throughout the transportation sector.
California Environmental Protection Agency is currently taking comments on the draft scope of work. To submit a comment or for more information, visit: https://calepa.ca.gov/climate/carbon-neutrality-studies/