On Board With… Commissioner Patty Monahan, California Energy Commission
In April 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Patty Monahan to be one of the five commissioners on the California Energy Commission. She serves in the Energy Commission’s Science/Engineering position and is the lead commissioner on transportation. She has dedicated her career toward advancing clean energy technologies and cutting harmful pollution, with a focus on equity.
Before joining the Energy Commission, she served as the transportation program director at the Energy Foundation, where she guided campaigns across the United States that advanced electric transportation and more efficient vehicles. She worked for the Union of Concerned Scientists in several roles, including director of the California office and deputy director of clean vehicles. She also worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and several energy-related consulting firms. Commissioner Monahan received a bachelor of science degree from UC Berkeley and holds a master’s degree in energy analysis and policy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Transit California:
You were appointed to the California Energy Commission (CEC) in March 2019 to fill the remainder of the science and engineering position vacated when former Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller retired. What was it like to jump in and complete a term? Were there specific priorities or changes to the CEC you pursued immediately?
Commissioner Monahan:
I was honored to be selected by Governor Newsom to fill the scientist slot at the California Energy Commission. I am the lead for transportation, and my top priority in that role is to help meet the state’s goals for clean and zero emission transportation, including having 250,000 electric vehicle chargers and 200 hydrogen stations by 2025. I oversee a $100 million per year grant program that provides funds for zero emission vehicle refueling infrastructure and other clean transportation investments. One of my first actions was to reconstitute the Advisory Committee for this grant program to ensure broader participation by equity groups, labor, consumer interests, environmental NGOs, academics, businesses, and, of course, the California Transit Association!
Transit California:
In January 2020, the Governor reappointed you to a full five-year term, which the Senate voted on in February 24. Within a month of that, the pandemic forced the closure of our state with an executive order for Californians to shelter in place. Did the pandemic influence the priorities you pursued or impact CEC policy?
Commissioner Monahan:
Since the Senate must confirm appointees within a year, I was very lucky to be confirmed before the shelter in place took effect. Otherwise, I would have been looking for a job the first few months of shelter in place! The pandemic undoubtedly influenced our priorities; we focused more of our grant funding on near-term investments – like the build-out of zero emission vehicle refueling infrastructure – that put people to work in good jobs building the transportation system we need for the future.
Transit California:
How do your previous experiences help and inform your efforts as the science and engineering position on the CEC and influence your approach to stakeholder engagement?
Commissioner Monahan:
During my career, I’ve worked as a researcher, a federal regulator, a non-profit advocate, and a grant-maker. In each of these roles, I have relied upon strong analysis to inform decision-making. And scientific analysis shows that lower income families and people of color bear a disproportionate share of the burden of air pollution. As policymakers, we need to do a better job engaging communities to ensure our research, policies, and investments foster a more equitable society.
Transit California:
California public transit agencies are actively working on meeting the Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Regulation, which requires all transit agencies in the state to transition to zero-emission buses by 2040. How is the CEC supporting this transition?
Commissioner Monahan:
The CEC is supporting transit agencies with funding for zero emission vehicle refueling infrastructure. We recently issued $20M in grant funding to build infrastructure for four transit agencies, Anaheim Transportation Network, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, SunLine Transit Agency, and North County Transit District. These funds — supporting both fuel cell and battery electric buses — will enable operation of 200 battery electric transit buses and over 40 hydrogen fuel cell transit buses. Additionally, this funding focuses on the large-scale conversation of bus fleets serving diverse geographic regions and populations, with the goal of discovering, refining, and sharing best practices and key lessons learned from each project with transit fleets throughout the State.
Transit California:
As adoption of zero-emission buses (ZEBs) moves forward, transit agencies continue to have concerns with the cost of infrastructure buildout, the range of ZEBs relative to daily mileage needs, and consistent funding availability, especially in light of the financial hardship the pandemic has caused agencies due to loss of ridership. Are there specific initiatives the CEC is leading to help address these concerns?
Commissioner Monahan:
Transit agencies need funding to support the transition to zero emission, especially given the current loss of ridership due to the pandemic. Fuel cell buses might be a better fit for agencies that have high daily mileage or need quick refueling, while battery electric buses may be better for shorter routes. I’m excited that the recently-signed state budget includes $290 million in new funding for the CEC and California Air Resources Board (CARB) to support an additional 1,000 zero emission transit buses plus refueling infrastructure. Further, it invests $450 million in new funding to CEC and CARB for another 1,000 zero emission school buses. This cross agency collaboration supports infrastructure buildout by the CEC and vehicle funding by CARB. Those funds will start flowing to transit districts as early as late fall of this year.
Transit California:
Discussions on ZEBs and ZEVs, more generally, often touch on the benefits of these technologies to disadvantaged and/or vulnerable communities. What role does the CEC play in advancing social equity, transportation safety, mobility justice, and environmental justice?
Commissioner Monahan:
We have an opportunity through our research and grant-making to address social inequities, including ensuring low-income and disadvantaged communities benefit in tangible ways. The CEC recently finished an analysis of the equity implications of electric vehicle charger distribution, and we found that lower income and rural communities lacked equitable access. We are using that information to tailor our grant-making to fill those gaps.
Transit California:
Looking beyond the adoption of ZEBs, Governor Newsom has put forth an executive order calling for 100 percent zero emission vehicle sales for passenger cars and trucks by 2035. What role does the CEC play in supporting this executive order?
Commissioner Monahan:
As the state lead for ZEV infrastructure, the CEC is coordinating closely with CARB, the state lead for ZEVs, on implementing the executive order. Our agencies are collaborating on multiple grant programs to provide a seamless experience for grantees wishing to invest in both ZEVs and infrastructure. Recently, the CEC and CARB issued our first joint solicitation for the large-scale deployment of zero-emission, on-road, Class 8 drayage and regional haul trucks and the necessary zero-emission fueling infrastructure needed for service operation. Our agencies want to make it as easy as possible for transit agencies and other grant applicants to apply for funding for ZEVs and refueling infrastructure.
Transit California:
In your opinion, are Californians ready? ZEVs accounted for eight percent of new car sales in 2020. How challenging will it be to meet this executive order and for market share to go from 8 percent to 100 percent in less than 15 years?
Commissioner Monahan:
Governor Newsom has set the state on a clear course to electrify transportation over the next 15-25 years. After Governor Newsom issued the Executive Order, General Motors and other car manufacturers set goals of 100 percent all electric passenger vehicle sales by 2035 – the same as California. The White House this month announced a national goal of having half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. be emissions-free by 2030. This is a transition that’s happening not just in California, but also globally. 2021 is shaping up to be the best year ever for ZEV sales, comprising over 10 percent of California’s new vehicle fleet in the first six months. However, ZEV refueling infrastructure is still a major barrier. We need more chargers and hydrogen stations in more locations for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles.
Transit California:
What additional policy goals or thoughts would you like to share with our readers? Are there other key initiatives we should be aware of?
Commissioner Monahan:
As California faces grid stresses due in part to a warming climate, battery electric vehicles can play an important role in making our energy system more resilient. The CEC has funded over 200 school buses with the potential to put electricity back in the grid during peak hours and help cash-strapped school districts save money. The new electric Ford F150 can power homes for up to three days when the electricity goes out. These aren’t just vehicles; they are mobile energy storage devices. And with the right policies in place, battery electric vehicles can help smooth out California’s electricity demand, which puts downward pressure on everyone’s electricity rates. Our challenge as state officials is to set the right policies so that charging occurs when there’s surplus renewable energy available, essentially running our electric vehicles on sunshine.
Transit California:
The California Transit Association staff and members look forward to working with you. What is the best way for Transit California readers to stay informed with ongoing CEC news and activities?
Commissioner Monahan:
Readers can sign up to get notified of upcoming Clean Transportation Program workshops and funding opportunities at our various list serves. They can also view past solicitations and Notices of Proposed Awards.
Also, the CEC has an additional tool available for developing project partnerships. Empower Innovation strives to accelerate the clean tech journey with easy access to funding opportunities, curated resources, and connections to people and organizations working towards a clean economy for all.
Finally, please connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn!