Next month the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority will decide what type of buses to purchase to replace 1,000 aging diesel buses. Two op-eds in the Los Angeles Daily News present alternative viewpoints.
The debate begins with an op-ed on March 23 by Patricia Larcara (quoted and pictured in this New York Times article), a Porter Ranch resident in the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, site of the largest methane leak in U.S. history, first detected in October 2015.
The debate between gas and electric has been going on for decades. But for me, the choice is simple.
As a resident of Porter Ranch for 28 years, the methane leak at the Aliso Canyon storage facility left me shaken on many levels. Besides my health and my livelihood, what was most shaken was my faith that oil and gas companies would protect the neighborhoods......
That’s why it’s so critical that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) gets serious about switching 100 percent of Los Angeles’ buses to electric vehicles instead of continuing our dangerous reliance....
The opposing viewpoint, posted April 8 by Marcus Gillette, director of public and government affairs for the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, supports the compressed natural gas buses, presumably similar to these "30 next-generation, near zero-emission compressed natural gas buses" purchased by Metro in October, funded in part with a $10.5-million U.S. Department of Transportation grant. However, his op-ed is oriented not to the buses but to the fuel they will use.
The fact is, a predominant percentage of the geologic natural gas fueling transportation fleets in California has been replaced by renewable natural gas — produced from the decomposition of organic materials that is captured (avoiding greenhouse gas emissions and short-lived climate pollution) and conditioned to meet transportation fuel specifications.
Unlike geologic natural gas, renewable natural gas is not produced from hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Renewable natural gas is produced entirely from the methane emitted as organic materials decompose in renewable waste streams. It can then be injected into the existing common carrier pipelines and deployed through natural gas fueling stations, displacing CNG or LNG in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles like Metro’s busses......
The comparison between renewable and geologic (or fossil) natural gas applies to diesel fuel as well. In San Francisco, the city switched from using biodiesel, a blend of conventional (fossil) diesel fuel and a bio-fuel, to using 100 percent renewable diesel, according to a December 2015 post that describes the difference between biodiesel and renewable diesel.
The Sierra Club has aligned itself with the electric buses advocates. However, they don't distinguish between what they call "polluting" or "dirty" natural gas, a description that conflicts with Metro's description, and renewable natural gas.
FULL STORY: For L.A. Metro, natural-gas buses are clean and simple choice: Guest commentary
Renewable Natural Gas and Electricity Should Power Los Angeles Bus Fleet
It's not one or the other but both, argues Denny Zane of Move LA in a guest commentary for the Los Angeles Daily News about the decision that Los Angeles County Metro will make on June 22 on the future of the nation's second largest bus fleet.
The Erosion of Public Trust
The damage caused by Michigan environmental agencies charged with protecting public health extend far beyond Flint. Residents suffering health effects from a huge natural gas leak in Southern California see parallels with the lead poisoning crisis.
Renewable Natural Gas Makes Inroads in California, Oregon, and Missouri
What is expected to be the nation's largest dairy biogas operation opened in the Central Valley. To the north, Gov. Kate Brown signed the nation's first bill to establish goals to add renewable gas to pipelines, and pigs in Missouri also made news.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Dear Tesla Driver: “It’s not You, It’s Him.”
Amidst a booming bumper sticker industry, one writer offers solace to those asking, “Does this car make me look fascist?”
A Visual Celebration of Manhattan’s Chinatown Elder Community, Through Food
Lanterns, cafeteria trays, and community connection take center stage in this stunning photo essay.
How to Make US Trains Faster
Changes to boarding platforms and a switch to electric trains could improve U.S. passenger rail service without the added cost of high-speed rail.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Santa Clarita
Ascent Environmental
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service