8/25/23 - Part 2 - Santa Cruz Metro Board of Directors Meeting

Jaimie Levin, Director of West Coast Operations, Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) introduced H2 technology to the board.Jaimie Levin from CTE (Center for Transportation and the Environment) spoke about the organization's role in promoting zero-emission transportation technologies, particularly focusing on fuel cell and battery electric vehicles. Levin, with a background in transit and environmental technology, highlighted CTE's significant involvement in zero-emission projects, with a portfolio exceeding $1 billion and 159 ongoing projects.CTE's main office is in Atlanta, with an additional office in Berkeley, and the organization collaborates with numerous large companies in the hydrogen and battery electric sectors. Levin emphasized California's leadership in environmental initiatives, aided by significant funding from the cap and trade program. He showcased CTE's extensive involvement in various projects across the U.S., especially in California, given the state's aggressive environmental policies.Levin highlighted three key projects with AC Transit, SamTrans, and Foothill Transit, illustrating the growing adoption of fuel cell technology in public transportation. He noted the transition in AC Transit's fleet composition, shifting from a majority of battery electric buses to a predominance of fuel cell buses. SamTrans and Foothill Transit are also incorporating fuel cell technology, with Foothill placing a significant order for fuel cell buses.Levin discussed the operational advantages of fuel cell buses, such as extended range, reduced vehicle weight, rapid refueling, and operational efficiency. He also stressed the importance of resiliency, particularly in emergency situations where fuel cell buses can be continually operated and refueled.Addressing infrastructure challenges, Levin identified key aspects such as cost, footprint requirements, renewability, resiliency, redundancy, and startup challenges. He mentioned that while hydrogen fuel is currently expensive, efforts are underway to reduce costs, particularly for green hydrogen.Levin provided insights into the fuel cell technology's application in various transportation modes, including buses, trains, and coaches. He noted the market's readiness for fuel cell technology and the availability of several suppliers for both vehicles and fueling stations.Lastly, Levin spoke about the ARCHES program, a collaborative initiative involving 13 agencies in California, focused on promoting fuel cell technology in public transportation. He concluded by highlighting the potential national impact of California's leadership in adopting fuel cell technology.His CV is here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimie-levin-40784610/CTE's website is here: https://cte.tv/about-us/our-members/#The SC Metro meeting packet with Mr. Levin's presentation graphics is here: https://scmtd.com/images/department/board/archive/minutes/2023/2023.08.25-Regular-Board-Minutes.pdf