Abstract
The following policy proposal seeks to reduce GHG emissions through the introduction and implementation of a hydrogen powered fuel cell bus in a small municipal transit system. Implementation on the small scale would reduce financial risks since the initial investment costs would be significantly lower. The model for this proposal is Redding, California. Redding is located in the northern portion of the Sacramento Valley. Situated along Interstate 5, it is northern California's largest, most central city. It is home to nearly one hundred thousand people, and with an annual growth rate of two percent per year, it must be prepared to make infrastructural adjustments in order to accommodate the influx of people. Such changes need to be made with prudence for future generations and with compliance with current state regulations. Improvements to Redding's public transit system must be at the forefront of such infrastructural adjustments.
Background
Road transport is one of the primary sources of GHG emissions in the United States. According to an article featured in the Environment News Service, "U.S. Emits Nearly Half the World's Automotive Carbon Dioxide," the United States is responsible for contributing forty-five percent of CO2 emissions from automobiles in the world (ENS). Therefore, in order for the U.S. to significantly reduce its GHG emissions, the transportation sector must undergo a transformation of its current methods in both the production and use of energy. While introducing and implementing more efficient fuel sources on a national or state level would be extensive, requiring widespread cooperation and expensive modifications, a more practical and expedient approach is to start at the municipal level, specifically with city bus transit. Although there are a variety of technologies available that provide alternative energy sources to fuel vehicles, the most attractive solution is the use of hydrogen energy to power fuel cell buses.
