While significant emphasis has been placed on electric vehicle battery technology and related charging infrastructure across the state, the California clean transportation future needs to include hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology where it makes sense.
Several transit agencies across the state are already producing their own hydrogen fuel, and others are actively planning to significantly expand on this model. Mega-regional passenger rail systems, such as Valley Link, are preparing for this opportunity by securing 200 acres of environmentally approved parcels to build a green hydrogen facility to provide clean power to commercial trucks, transit buses and a 42-mile passenger rail system that will alleviate the congestion and poor air quality caused by the 100,000 commuters who traverse the Altamont Pass daily. As the state looks to invest new funding to support the development of hydrogen fuel production, it’s imperative that this investment support California’s clean transportation future through transit agency hydrogen producers. This model of sustainability and self-sufficiency is important, as it inherently connects the hydrogen fuel producer and user with the goal of reducing the cost of transit operations to the public and offsets state and federal subsidies.