Fuel cell electric vehicle fueling infrastructure and fuel production: statewide assessment.

Existing law generally designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency with the primary responsibility for the control of vehicular air pollution. Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) , in partnership with the state board, and in consultation with specified state agencies, to develop and adopt a state plan to increase the use of alternative transportation fuels. This bill would, until January 1, 2030, require the Energy Commission, in consultation with the state board and the Public Utilities Commission, to prepare a statewide assessment of the fuel cell electric vehicle fueling infrastructure and fuel production needed to support the adoption of zero-emission trucks, buses, and off-road vehicles at levels necessary for the state to meet specified goals and requirements relating to vehicular air pollution, as provided. The bill would require, among other things, the statewide assessment to consider all necessary fuel production and distribution infrastructure, as specified, to meet those goals and requirements and to examine existing and future fuel production and distribution infrastructure needs throughout the state, including in low-income communities. The bill would require the Energy Commission to regularly seek data and input relating to fuel cell electric vehicle fuel production and fueling infrastructure from specified state agencies and interested stakeholders. The bill would require the Energy Commission to complete the statewide assessment by December 31, 2023, and to update the statewide assessment at least once every 3 years. The bill would require the Energy Commission to post the initial and updated statewide assessments on its internet website. The bill would provide that the statewide assessment does not constitute a directive instituting a mandate on state funding or limit the ability of the Energy Commission to award funds related to specified categories of projects on a competitive basis.