Congratulations to Georgetown Climate Center (Vicki Arroyo,
Kate Zyla, Cassie Powers, Chris Coyle, and company) for a great work workshop
on energy and climate change (see website for more info – day two tomorrow).
My favorite part was the panel on electric vehicles. Good to see that folks are optimistic
and moving forward, despite some negative press and various hurdles.
Anthony Eggert gave the view from California, still the
leader in clean air, while Mike Robinson (GM) gave a manufacturer’s point of
view (very bullish on his cars!).
Christine Kirby recounted the successful work done on EVs by the
Transportation and Climate Initiative, a subject dear to my heart. (If you’re not familiar with TCI, it’s
a unique and exciting collaborative of the transportation, energy, and
environment agencies of the 12 northeast states + DC.) My most
favorite part was hearing Tonia Buell of Washington state DOT and Eric Heineman
of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s office talk about the real EV networks they
have put in the ground – matching EV-dense metro areas with strategically
spaced fast chargers on interstate routes. All done through collaborative planning processes. Good stuff! I think this is what it will take to make EVs really viable
for all-purpose travel.
I was hoping Gina McCarthy (USEPA) would tell us what the
President meant in the State of the Union by saying he would direct executive
agencies to come up with climate change plans if Congress doesn’t (a pretty
good bet). But alas that shoe didn’t
drop.
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