Alliance Launches New Initiative To Slash U.S. Transportation Energy Use By Half By 2050

October 26, 2017

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(Alliance to Save Energy) Audi’s Scott Keogh and National Grid’s Dean Seavers Lead “50 by 50” Commission -- Today the Alliance to Save Energy chartered a national commission of business, government and civil society leaders that will work together to develop a pathway and recommendations to reduce energy use in the U.S. transportation sector by 50 percent by 2050 while meeting future mobility needs.

The commission, chaired by Audi of America President Scott Keogh and National Grid U.S. President Dean Seavers, includes Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto (D) and Fort Worth, Texas, Mayor Betsy Price (R), along with leaders representing vehicle manufacturers, utilities, federal agencies, environmental and consumer groups, infrastructure providers and public transit.

Transportation represents roughly one-third of U.S. energy consumption. The sector is undergoing a transformational change – ranging from the increased viability of alternative fuels such as electrification to advanced vehicle technologies, automation and shared mobility – offering enormous opportunities to improve energy efficiency. Improvements in efficiency will create jobs, improve energy security, boost competitiveness, save businesses and consumers money, and reduce emissions.

The Alliance Commission on U.S. Transportation Sector Efficiency (the “50 by 50” Commission) will work through six Technical Committees (Light-Duty Vehicles; Non-Road Vehicles; Heavy-Duty and Freight Vehicles; Enabling Infrastructure; Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Shared Mobility and Automation; and Outreach and Implementation) to develop the regulatory, policy and investment pathways to achieve the “50 by 50” energy use reduction goal. Following an outside peer-review process, the Commission will publish a final report, and engage local, state, and national officials, key stakeholder groups and the public to act on the recommendations.

Kateri Callahan, President, Alliance to Save Energy, said: “Transportation in the United States is changing rapidly and it presents an enormous opportunity to improve mobility and drive economic prosperity while at the same time saving energy and reducing pollution. We’re bringing together experts from across this sector because we need a comprehensive approach to maximize the energy efficiency gains. The response to our invitations has been overwhelming and we’re eager to see this group bring forward consensus-based, aggressive plans that will inspire public leaders, the business community and the public.”

“We’re at a fascinating time in the transportation industry,” said Scott Keogh, president, Audi of America. “The way in which vehicles are powered and how they’re driven is evolving. We’re at an inflection point and we have an opportunity, as an industry and a sector, to leverage that transformation for the benefit of society. I’m proud to join this commission and work with key stakeholders across the business community to see that we fully capitalize on the potential that comes with electric, shared and automated vehicle technologies.”

“As our region shifts its attention to efficiency in the transportation sector, we must be ready to support our customers and communities in that transition with services, infrastructure, and affordable solutions,” said Dean Seavers, U.S. President, National Grid. “I’m proud to be part of developing a path forward that works for the people we serve and moves the dial on the fight against climate change.”

"Pittsburgh has become a global leader on clean energy and smart transportation solutions, but there is still a lot of hard work to do. That's why I'm so happy to be part of this commission and its efforts to bring together government, business and policy leaders from across the country. This is a collective effort to not only bring efficiency to the transportation and energy sectors, but to create the jobs of the future as well," said Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto.

The initiative’s Commissioners are:

Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America (Co-Chair);

Dean Seavers, President, National Grid U.S. and Executive Director, National Grid (Co-Chair);

Melissa Adams, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, WGL Holdings/Washington Gas;

Valerie Brader, Executive Director, Michigan Agency for Energy;

Stephen Brobeck, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of America;

John Di Stasio, President, Large Public Power Council;

Bruce Edelston, Vice President, Energy Policy, Southern Company;

Matt Enstice, President & CEO, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus;

Dr. Martin Keller, Laboratory Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory;

Tom Kuhn, President, Edison Electric Institute;

Eric McCarthy, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Public Policy and Legal Affairs, Proterra;

Mark McNabb, CEO, Electrify America;

Arlen Orchard, General Manager & CEO, Sacramento Municipal Utility District;

Thomas S. Passek, President, Copper Development Association;

William Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Betsy Price, Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas;

Gil Quiniones, President & CEO, New York Power Authority;

Rhea Suh, President, Natural Resources Defense Council;

Dan Turton, Vice President, North America Public Policy, General Motors;

Greg White, Executive Director, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; and

Richard A. White, Acting President & CEO, American Public Transportation Association.

The Commission’s Technical Committees and their chairs are:

Light-duty Vehicles. Chair: Robert Chapman, Vice President, Energy and Environment, Electric Power Research Institute

Non-road (e.g., material handling equipment, port electrification, airport ground support equipment). Chair: Robert Horton, ‎Vice President, Environmental Affairs, DFW International Airport
Heavy-Duty and Freight Vehicles (long-haul goods shipments and vehicle mass transit). Chair: Philip Lavrich, Director, Strategy and Advanced Technologies, Ingersoll Rand
Enabling Infrastructure (focusing on fuel distribution, including electricity). Chair: Melissa Lavinson, Vice President, Federal Affairs and Policy, Chief Sustainability Officer, PG&E Corporation
ICT, Shared Mobility and Automation (e.g. automation and the sharing economy). Chair: Johney Green, Associate Lab Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Outreach and Implementation. Chair: Patty Monahan, Program Director, Transportation, Energy Foundation

More information about the Commission is available at:

www.50x50transportation.org

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability. READ MORE