SunLine Transit Agency’s West Coast Center of Excellence in Zero Emission Technology (WCCOE) – the first-of-its-kind in the emerging industry surrounding the development of zero emission technologies – hosted the first of 12 workshops conducted through the State of California at its cutting-edge facility from April 17 to 20.
The training is funded by the California Air Resources Board ($250,000) and the California Energy Commission ($500,000) and is provided through a collaboration between College of the Desert, Rio Hondo College, CALSTART and SunLine Transit Agency.
A total of six courses from Zero Emissions Safety to Zero Emissions Planning were taught over the 4-day period, including hands-on training using zero emissions buses. There were 30 attendees at the Introduction to Zero Emissions Technology course, demonstrating the growing need for educational programs dedicated to creating and maintaining zero emissions fleets.
“SunLine Transit Agency is proud to play a significant role in promoting zero emission technologies by facilitating these workshops along with the State and other key partners,” said Glenn Miller, Board Chair of SunLine Transit Agency and a Councilmember for the City of Indio. “What’s more, these workshops are provided for free to transit agencies and bus fleet operators in California.”
The WCCOE was created with the goal of setting forth a vision and pathway to help others find success with their zero emission bus deployments. The Center paves the way through training, the development of best practice information and access to technology and software geared towards the planning, procurement, and deployment of zero emission buses.
As the only transit agency to receive funding to conduct zero emissions technology training by the California Energy Commission, SunLine will continue offering workshops over the next 18 months. A high school outreach component will be incorporated, as well.
For more information, visit www.SunLine.org/alternative-fuels/west-coast-center-of-excellence-in-zero-emission-technology.
