At a June 22 meeting, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board ordered 295 buses that will be fueled with renewable natural gas. An expected purchase of 35 electric buses was delayed until next month's meeting.
"The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has voted to purchase 295 40-foot compressed natural gas buses, which will be fueled by renewable natural gas (RNG), according to the latest release from NGVAmerica," reports Lauren Tyler for NGT News. "The contract also includes an option for the purchase of 305 additional 40-foot CNG buses."
As noted in an earlier post, "Los Angeles Metro to Go Fully Electric by 2030," the board was also asked "to approve the purchase of 35 60-foot electric buses for the Orange Line — the goal remains to convert the Orange Line to fully electric buses by 2020 while also putting electric buses on the Silver Line."
According to an email from an electric bus advocate, that part of the bus procurement was held over due to concerns about the contract with Canada-based New Flyer.
Metro's bus fleet, second largest after New York's, is among the nation's cleanest, having converted from diesel fuel to cleaner-burning natural gas by 2011, fulfilling a 1993 commitment to clean air in the nation's smoggiest city.
However, new technology has significantly reduced emissions from older CNG engines, so "LA Metro will also begin retrofitting and replacing its buses with the new Cummins-Westport Low NOx CNG engines [aka "near-zero emissions"] that reduce smog-forming NOx and GHG emissions that are 90% lower than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency NOx limit," according to the NGV (Natural Gas Vehicles for America) release. See Metro's October 2016 announcement on these near-zero emissions engine replacements.
“This engine gives our customers the most affordable path to zero-equivalent emissions and the benefits of performance and reliability described by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District as equivalent to an electric vehicle,” said Rob Neitzke, president of Cummins Westport.
As noted in an April post, "Best Fuel to Power Buses: Renewable Natural Gas or Battery-Electric?" the use of renewable natural gas, derived from the decomposition of organic matter from sources such as landfills, anaerobic digesters and waste treatment plants, offers transit agencies an additional route toward zero emissions than relying solely on electric and fuel cell buses. [See compelling editorial that advocates for Metro using both alternatives, which appears to be the case.]
FULL STORY: LA Metro Approves Massive Order for 295 Renewable CNG Buses
Los Angeles Metro Takes Initial Step Toward Conversion to Electric Buses by 2030
The board of L.A. Metro voted Thursday to spend $138 million to purchase 95 electric buses plus chargers and wiring upgrades for two transit lines that now use natural gas buses, and approved a motion to convert all buses to battery-electrics by 2030
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.
Los Angeles Metro to Go Fully Electric by 2030
The move is risky. The agency has no electric buses now, and the last ones it operated performed so badly they had to be returned. The plan is to make the transition in phases, and hope that battery technology improves.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland