By: AJOT | May 11 2017 at 07:16 AM | International Trade

SACRAMENTO - The California Energy Commission awarded more than $24 million in grants today for clean energy freight transportation projects in Los Angeles and Long Beach and more than $12 million for other clean transportation projects.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District and Long Beach Harbor Department received $10 million each and the Los Angeles Harbor Department received $4.5 million to conduct field demonstrations of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and cargo handling equipment that have zero or near-zero emissions.

The projects support California’s Sustainable Freight Action Plan, which was developed in 2016 to help the state’s freight transport system become more efficient, more economically competitive, and less polluting. Grants were provided through the Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP).

Several other ARFVTP-funded projects were also approved. Tracy Renewable Energy received a $5 million grant, the City of Manteca received a $3 million grant and CR&R Incorporated received a $3 million grant for advanced biofuel projects. The Cerritos Community College District’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center was awarded $1 million to develop clean fuel training programs for high schools in underserved communities, regions impacted by poor air quality and those serving minority populations.

Nearly $13 million was awarded through the Electric Program Investment Charge program for five vehicle-grid integration projects that advance technology that allows electric vehicles to communicate with the grid and vary their charging levels toenhance grid stability. Recipients included Motiv Power Systems, Inc., the Zero Net Energy Alliance, Prospect Silicon Valley, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Three Energy Conservation Assistance Act loans, which help cities, counties, special districts, and other public entities invest in energy efficiency and energy generation projects, were also approved. The Monterey Peninsula Airport District received $3 million to install a solar energy system at the Monterey Regional Airport, the Lake Arrowhead Community Services District received $3 million to install a solar energy system at the Hesperia Farms Site Solar Facility, and the Amador Water Agency received $1.5 million to install a new turbine at a water transfer pipeline. The loans have an interest rate of 1 percent and are repaid within 20 years f