2020 Program

Monday, August 24, 2020 | Pre-Summit Events

9:00am-5:00pm
Renewable Power to Clean Fuels Symposium ▾

The GTSE and the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance (RHA) have partnered up to offer the all-day Renewable Power to Clean Fuels Symposium to discuss renewable hydrogen-related technologies, policy, commercial development, and roles in decarbonizing our energy sector. Breakfast pastries, coffee/tea, and lunch will be provided. The Symposium can be attended alone for $199 or can be purchased with the GTSE Full Conference ticket for a $100 add-on price.
Register here >>
Speakers TBC

9-9:10am | Physical Space Intro
9:10-9:20am | Pre Intro/Welcome
9:20-9:40am | World View
9:45-11am | Policy Challenges and Opportunities
11-11:15am | Break
11:15-12:30 | Role of Electrofuels in Decarbonization
12:30-1:30 | Lunch
1:30-2:45pm | Commercial Development
2:45-3:15pm | Break
3:15-4:30pm | Technologies, Costs and Cost Projections
4:30-5pm | Wrap Up / Raffle
10:00am-3:00pm
Method to Create an SAE Certification for Technicians Working with High Voltage and High Pressure Systems ▾

A hands-on, half-day workshop geared towards technicians, instructors, and students, this workshop covers advanced vehicle high voltage and high pressure technician standards, training and national certifications, standards for autonomous vehicle systems, and identification of funding opportunities.
This session is sponsored by Northwest Engineering and Vehicle Technology Exchange (NEVTEX) project and the National Science Foundation.

This session is included in the purchase of a GTSE Full Conference ticket. If you would like to register for this session ONLY for $99 click here.
Ken Mays | Professor and Director of Automotive Technology, Central Oregon Community College
John Frala | Professor of Alternative Fuels/Hybrid/Electric/Fuel Cell Vehicles, Rio Hondo College
Dr. Mark Quarto | Chief Technical Officer, FutureTech Auto, LLC
Dr. James Jacobs | President Emeritus, Macomb Community College
Dr. Bruce Emerson | COCC Faculty Member
Rich Demary | Director of Probitas Authentication
Chris Quarto | Business Development Officer, Future Tech Auto, LLC
Scott Brown | Founder, Diagnostic Network
10:00am-4:30pm
Pathways to Electrification Workshop ▾
Learn from industry experts and veteran fleet managers about transitioning fleets to electric, important policy topics, factoring in disadvantaged communities, and considerations for supporting infrastructure.

This session is included in the purchase of a GTSE Full Conference ticket. Transit Fleets Share Their Experience with the Introduction of Electric Busses into Their Fleets | 10-11:15am
Moderator:Rick Wallace | Senior Policy Analyst, Oregon Deptartment of Energy
Tony Cademarti | Fleet Program Manager, Everett Transit
Kelly Hoell | Sustainability Program Manager, Lane Transit District
Young Park | Senior Project Manager, Tri-Met


Women of Electric Vehicles | 11:15am-12:30pm
Ruth Liddell | Project Manager, EV Infrastructure, ABB

Tech Talks | 1:30-4:30pm
Programs and Policy to Advance Fleet Electrification
Sarah Reed | Program Manager, Electrification Coalition

Optimizing EVs in Your Fleet
Mary Till | Director of Business Development, Sawatch Labs

Strategies for Transitioning to Electric Vehicle Fleets
Muffi Ghadiali | Co-founder and CEO, Electriphi, Inc.

Hands-Free Automated Wireless Charging Makes Heavy Duty EVs a Reality
Michael Masquelier | CEO, WAVE, Inc.

Planning Municipal Fleet Electrification: Lessons from Seattle and Tacoma
Mike Usen | Electromobility and Resiliency Lead, DKS Associates

Multi-Unit-Dwelling Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging Innovation Pilots in U.S. Metropolitan Areas
Eric Huang | Program Manager, Forth

Electrification of Rideshare
Adam Gromis | Global Sustainability Lead, Uber

Reduce Energy Usage with Clean Tech Upgrades and Amp Up Car Charging Capacity
Peter Vierthaler | President at Northwest Partners and Synergy Investments LLC

10:00am-5:30pm
DERA Grant 101 & Alternative Fuels 101 Workshop ▾ | Hotel Murano Conference Room 10:00am-12:00pm | Alternative Fuels Vehicle Boot Camp

12:00-1:00pm | Lunch on your own

1:00-5:00pm | Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Grants & Rebates 101

Experts will present an overview of DERA grants and rebates, including considerations for tribal and state applicants and the inclusion of VW settlement funds in DERA grants. Examples of successful projects will be presented by past grantees, with ample time for questions and answers.
Joe Perreira | Staff Engineer, Planning & Mobile Sources, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Faye Swift | DERA Grants & Policy Team Leader, US EPA
Lucita Valiere | DERA Tribal Lead / Project Officer, U.S. EPA - Region 10
3:00-5:30pm
ACM
Ride & Drive | LeMay - America's Car Museum

2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421
The GTSE Ride & Drive returns! Join us from 3:00-5:30pm to test drive the latest in alt-fuel vehicle technology. Stay after to enjoy the Opening Night Reception and exhibits at the museum.
5:30-7:30pm
Opening Night Reception | LeMay - America's Car Museum

2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421
Join us for the Opening Night Reception at LeMay - America's Car Museum! Networking and exhibits from 5:30-7:30pm. Open to registered conference attendees. RSVP here >>

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Main Stage
Ballrooms A&B		 Breakout 1
Room 315		 Breakout 2
Room 316		 Breakout 3
Room 317
10:45am-6:00pm
Exhibit Hall Open
7:30-9:00am
Registration and Breakfast
8:30-8:40am
Emcee Introduction & Announcements
Karl Pepple | Mobile Source/DERA Lead, U.S. EPA Region 10
8:40-9:40am
The Future of Fleets: Four Innovations in Sustainable Transportation ▾
Soy in your tires? Low-carbon diesel blends lowering your costs? The fourth industrial revolution? Big data driving your decarbonization push? We bring together some of the best technologies, policies, practices and trends helping shape the future of mobility with real world solutions today to help fleets improve sustainability, inform decision making, and lower their operating costs.
Moderator: Michael Coates | Editor, Clean Fleet Report
Paola Santana | Founder & CEO, Social Glass
Nate Veeh | Business Development Manager, Government, Geotab
9:40-10:45am
Medium & Heavy Duty Electrification ▾
Updates from industry experts regarding ongoing technological innovations aimed at electrifying on-highway and nonroad heavy-duty equipment using both plug-in and fuel cell electric technologies. Fleet applications discussed include: regional trucking, refuse collection, urban bus, material handling, and construction.
Moderator: Paul Menig | CEO, Business Accelerants
Lauren Skiver | CEO/General Manager, SunLine Transit Agency
James Kast | Fuel Cell Business Analyst, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Sean Waters | Vice President of Product Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, Daimler Trucks North America
Dawn Fenton | Vice President, Government Relations & Public Affairs, Volvo Group North America
10:45-11:15am
Expo Hall Break
11:15am-12:30pm
Pathways to Zero Emission Port and Freight Operations ▾
This session will examine pathways to implement zero-emission freight technologies, focusing on cargo handling equipment and on-road drayage fleets at seaports. The EV Blueprint describes the collaborative process and actions needed to implement an electric-vehicle-ready eco-system that encompasses seaport operations and nearby areas. The EV Blueprint evaluates five areas: (1) Infrastructure, (2) Technology, (3) Community, (4) Workforce, and (5) Finance. As a case study, presenters will highlight partnerships in the Port of Long Beach Zero-Emissions Terminal Equipment Transition Project, a California Energy Commission grant-funded demonstration. These presentations will provide an in-depth exploration of the Port's clean air initiatives and the importance of grant-funding programs to demonstrate and deploy zero-emission freight technologies. This session will discuss the process for developing an EV Blueprint, the proposed actions addressing the five areas above, how collaboration is needed between various partners and stakeholders to leverage resources and the lessons learned.
Morgan Caswell | Manager of Air Quality Practices, Port of Long Beach
Rose Szoke | Environmental Specialist, Port of Long Beach
Simon Horton | Senior Project Manager at Southern California Edison
Fred Patricio | Project Manager, Port of Long Beach
Eric Bayani | Senior Director, Terminal Planning, International Transportation Service, Inc.
Alternative Fuels in Fleet Resilience and Emergency Preparedness ▾
Flooding in the heartland, wildfires in the west, and a warming climate are all variables fleets now must account for in their resilience planning. How will alternative fuels weather these variables compared to traditional liquid fuels, and which alternative fuels can best fill the gap in your region and fleet? Take part in a dynamic discussion around fleet resilience in the face of an uptick in both the frequency and intensity of disasters.
Moderator: Karl Pepple | Mobile Source/DERA Lead, U.S. EPA Region 10
Philip Saunders | Green Fleet Program Manager, City of Seattle
Rita Hansen | CEO, Onboard Dynamics, Inc.
Don Ashmore | Fleet Manager, Tacoma Public Utilities
Randal Kaufman | Sales Director, Transformative Technologies, Black & Veatch
Workforce Development ▾
Technology is evolving rapidly across today's increasingly complex and connected fleet. Many fleets now operate a wide range of vehicle types and classes powered by a variety of gaseous fuels, electricity, or hybrid systems. Those vehicles are coming equipped with more and more sophisticated onboard sensors and components, all producing and sharing data in real time. This is a watershed moment for commercial vehicle fleets and the suppliers who support them. Unless we take steps together now to ensure we have a skilled workforce to support these new vehicles, the lack of adequate maintenance and operations capability will become a serious obstacle to their successful adoption. This session will begin with an overview of the top alternative fuels and connected technology changes and the specific workforce needs that are accompanying them. A panel discussion including fleets, training professionals, and workforce development leaders on how to develop and keep a trained team to support these evolving needs will follow.
Moderator: Jannet Malig | Statewide Director, Advanced Transportation & Logistics
Rex Brown | Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, State of Washington
Sarah Budriunas | Sr. Project Manager-START Recruiting, Tesla
Electrification of Everything ▾
Looking to Electrify all aspects of the fleet, from electric PTO's, and small cargo vehicles to light and medium duty trucks.
Speakers TBC
12:30-1:45pm
Lunch
1:45-3:00pm
FHWA Alternative Fuel Corridor Program ▾
Panel discussion regarding activities related to the FHWA AFC program including: designation status, regional planning, technical assistance, strategic partnerships, signage guidance, education/outreach, and available funding assistance.
Alycia Gilde | Senior Director, Initiative Lead for Fuels and Infrastructure, CALSTART
Johanna Levene | National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Dustin Fitzpatrick | Air Quality Planning Coordinator, Pima Association of Governments
Electrification of Fleets from Vehicles to Med/Heavy-Duty Equipment to Charging Stations: A Guide for Fleet Management and Sustainability. ▾
GTSE attendees already know the challenges that electrification brings to their day-to-day roles and many are asking - "where do I begin?"
After establishing context, Gary Dannar, Founder of CEO of DD DANNAR, LLC will then provide a "How to Guide". It has clear steps for beginning the electrification process for any size city. Joining Mr. Dannar will be Richard A. Simmons, PhD. and Steve Hung, PhD. Richard Simmons is Director, Energy Policy & Innovation Ctr, Georgia Institute of Technology. Steve Hung is Principal Consultant at KonseptWerks and Adjunct Faculty Taubman Center.
The panel will step attendees through the Guide, focusing on technology, fleet and infrastructure needs. The Guide is created in a way that any attendee can engage with the process, as it relates to their work. It starts with data collection of a fleet's current status. It then moves to consider current expenditures, budgets, the culture of change, and available resources. The purpose is to see the gaps that can be filled as a place to start. The final step is to test, revise, repeat with an additional interactive "Fleet Assessment/ROI worksheet".
Two Public Works Fleet Directors, each with multiple years of electrification experience, will add to the conversation and workshop environment.
Presentation of current data, expert and real-world responses, along with support of the Guide and Fleet Assessment/ROI tools, the attendee will leave resolved-- "this is how I can begin".
Gary Dannar | Founder & CEO, DD DANNAR, LLC
Steve Hung, Ph.D. | Principal Consultant and Adjunct Faculty, KonseptWerks and Taubman Center
Richard A. Simmons, Ph.D. | Director, Energy Policy & Innovation Center, Georgia Institute of Technology
It Pays to Decarbonize: How Clean Fuel Programs are Rewarding Early Adopters ▾
Oregon and California both have low carbon fuel standards nearly identical in function and just slightly different in name. Early adopters of alternative fuels, like CNG refuse haulers and transit districts, are now being rewarded for their forward-thinking decisions. Fleets large and small are seeing carbon credits revenues for using low carbon alternatives such as natural gas, propane, electricity, and hydrogen. Even the liquid renewable fuels - biodiesel and renewable diesel - are more competitive than ever with regular fossil diesel because of these incentives. Learn how your fleet can take advantage of the innovative policy programs and improve not only your carbon footprint but also your bottom line.
Moderator: Rick Wallace | Senior Policy Analyst, Oregon Deptartment of Energy
James Duffy | Chief, Transportation Fuels Branch, California Air Resources Board
John Thornton | President, CleanFuture, Inc.
Cory Ann Wind | Clean Fuels Program Manager, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Tyler Bennett | Supervisor Bus Electrification and Fleet Projects, Tri-County Metropolitan Transit District of Portland
Rapid Fire Rounds ▾
Lightning fast and to the point, this session is meant to pack an informed punch all within 5 - 7 minute increments, followed by a brief question-and-answer period, reload, and on to the next topic. If you're interested in an action-packed and dynamic clean fleet agenda, then this rapid fire session is for you.

How City of Oakland Used Pedal Signal Correction to Improve Mileage and Reduce Emissions - Marc Lurie
Making the Case for Low Speed Vehicles in Commercial Fleets - Jeff Esfeld
Federal Policies Should Do More to Support Green Transportation Development - Michael Grainey
Electric Cars for Everyone - Best Practices for Equitable EV Engagement - Zach Henkin
Low-Cost Emissions-Reducing Alternative Diesel Blendstock for Disadvantaged Communities - Olen Vanderleeden
Micromobility: The Key to Lowering Car Emissions in your Community - Phil LeClare
Moderator: Richard Battersby | Director, East Bay Clean Cities Coalition
Marc Lurie | CEO, SmartPedal Labs
Jeff Esfeld | Business & Development Director, Tropos
Michael Grainey | Principal, Michael W. Grainey, LLC
Zach Henkin | Deputy Director, FORTH Mobility
Olen Vanderleeden | Business Development Lead, Sylvatex, Inc.
Phil LeClare | Director, PR, Zagster
3:00-3:45pm
Expo Hall Break
3:45-5:00pm
West Coast Alternative Fuel Corridors for Commercial Vehicles ▾
Overview of the West Coast Collaborative Medium & Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Corridor Coalition (WCC AFICC) strategic deployment plan, followed by a panel discussion regarding opportunities for implementation of the plan recommendations.
Moderator: Alycia Gilde | Senior Director, Initiative Lead for Fuels and Infrastructure, CALSTART
Diane Turchetta | Transportation Specialist, Federal Highway Administration
Jonathan Norris | Senior Project Manager, CALSTART
Anthony Buckley | Washington Department of Transportation
Citizen Science & Monitoring on the Community Scale ▾
Session will highlight efforts by government and community groups to measure and monitor sources of pollution in their communities. Topics to include: sensor types and networks, lessons learned, and more. Participants are invited to visit our in-use display to view some of these technologies in operation.
Andrew Schiffer | Community Rep
Edmund Seto, Ph.D. | Associate Professor, University of Washington
Municipal & Vocational: Peer Fleet Experiences ▾
Municipal and vocational fleets have much in common. In both cases, vehicles are specified based on unique service requirements. Whether advanced or conventional, vehicles and the fuels they use must perform with 100% reliability in their required service function. Often, these applications are well-suited to advanced fuels and vehicle technologies, but in order to be successful, fleets must understand unique drive and duty cycles, maintenance requirements, and plan carefully for the refueling or recharging infrastructure needed. Like other types of fleets, costs must be contained, and management must respond to increasing demands for environmental sustainability. In this session, you will hear from fleet leaders about how they rose to these challenges in order to successfully implement a variety of advanced fuels and vehicle choices.
Moderator: Richard Battersby | Director, East Bay Clean Cities Coalition
Jennifer Kube-Njenga | Program Manager, Fleet Operations, City of Richmond, British Columbia
Philip Saunders | Green Fleet Program Manager, City of Seattle
Gary Lentsch | Fleet Manager, EWEB
The Critical Elements: Building an Eco-System for the Introduction of Heavy-Duty BEV Trucks ▾
Electric heavy-duty trucks are more than just "buzz." Major OEMs have electric products that will be on the market shortly. Tesla and other smaller companies have said they are joining the fray as well. The challenge is that these vehicles must make sense from a total cost of ownership perspective while offering similar or better uptime than their internal combustion engine predecessors under arduous working conditions. The need for high reliability and expedited repair when necessary means a new support system must be built with trained technicians capable of tackling repairs and maintenance. It will also require proactive interaction with truck operators and owners to help understand the new supporting infrastructure and operational implications of using heavy-duty electric trucks. This session will dive into the components of this new eco-system and the new players involved in creating it as experienced in the current demonstration projects in southern California.
Bill Fisher | Corporate Service Director, TEC Equipment
Dawn Fenton | Vice President, Government Relations & Public Affairs, Volvo Group North America
John Frala | Professor of Alternative Fuels/Hybrid/Electric/Fuel Cell Vehicles, Rio Hondo College
5:00-6:00pm
Networking Reception

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Main Stage
Ballrooms A&B		 Breakout 1
Room 315		 Breakout 2
Room 316		 Breakout 3
Room 317
8:00am-1:00pm
Exhibit Hall Open
8:00-9:00am
Registration and Breakfast
8:30-8:35am
Emcee Introduction & Announcements
Karl Pepple | Mobile Source/DERA Lead, U.S. EPA Region 10
Penny McDaniel | West Coast Collaborative Co-Lead, US EPA
8:35-9:00am
Keynote
Speaker TBC
9:00-10:15am
Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Standards ▾
Updates from US EPA and CARB regarding the development of new emissions standards for heavy-duty on-highway vehicles. Topics include: US EPA Cleaner Trucks Initiative, CARB Heavy-Duty NOx Omnibus Standards, and CARB Advanced Clean Trucks Rule.
Kim Heroy-Rogalski | Chief, Mobile Source Regulatory Development Branch, California Air Resources Board
Karl Simon | Director, Transportation & Climate Division, US EPA Office of Transportation & Air Quality
10:15-10:45am
Expo Hall Break
10:45-12:00pm
Federal Funding: 2020 & Beyond ▾
Overview and updates from federal grant and rebate funding assistance programs for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Moderator: Penny McDaniel | West Coast Collaborative Co-Lead, US EPA
Faye Swift | DERA Grants & Policy Team Leader, US EPA
Wendy Dafoe | Senior Project Leader, National Renewable Energy Lab, Vehicle Technology Office, US DOE
Diane Turchetta | Transportation Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, US DOT
Dan Yuska | Environmental Protection Specialist, MARAD, US DOT
12:00-1:00pm
Lunch
1:00-2:15pm
Strategies to Reduce Railroad Emissions ▾
State and regional agencies along the West Coast are actively exploring concepts to reduce air pollutant emissions from railroad operations. This panel will outline current efforts to reduce rail emissions, and explore opportunities for interstate cooperation in this area.
Eric Feeley | Air Quality, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Freight Planning ▾
Whether it's owner-operators worried about deadheading, or policymakers aiming to curb congestion and emissions, freight planning is in everyone's best interests for improving environmental and economic sustainability. Join a discussion around the state- and federal-level planning aims for improving the efficiency of freight.
Moderator: Diane Turchetta | Transportation Specialist, Federal Highway Administration
Sheri Call | Executive Vice President, Washington Trucking Associations
Jennifer Wong | Head of Sustainability, Convoy Inc.
NREL Total Cost of Ownership (1:00-4:00pm) ▾
In collaboration with the National Laboratories, the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) is developing a total cost of ownership (TCO) framework and data set to enable assessment of current and future vehicle affordability, using scenarios to 2050. The intent is to develop comprehensive cost metrics for acquisition and operation of personally- and commercially-owned light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles to allow consistent comparisons across powertrains. Results will be used to inform future work, including R&D planning and program benefits analysis. The purpose of this workshop is to obtain stakeholder input on the TCO framework, cost elements, data sources, and estimation methodologies for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, particularly where they differ from light-duty personal vehicles.

Sponsored by:

Speakers TBC
Maximizing Carbon Reductions Today while Investing in a Cleaner Future ▾
US Biofuels for the medium and heavy-duty vehicle fleet are the lowest liquid carbon fuels available today. In fact, they are the backbone of Low Carbon Fuel Policies including in California, Oregon and what is being considered (and may be passed by the time of this conference) in Washington State and/or Puget Sound. Since the inception of California's LCFS, Bio-massed based diesels have accounted for over 20 million metric tons of carbon reductions and make up more than 40% of the credits. Almost all NG vehicles are now considered to be burning RNG. While other technologies such as EVs and Hydrogen have grown from their infancy, the next decade will need to consume low carbon alternatives to fossil fuel while also building the necessary infrastructures and vehicles of the cleaner future. We intend to explore how fleets can be "all-inclusive" reducing carbon with available solutions while planning for future ones. Representatives from Diesel equipment, Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel, NG vehicles and RNG producers will offer the latest insights to fleet managers.
Moderator: Ryan Lamberg | Sustainability Consultant, National Biodiesel Board
Todd Ellis | Executive Director Regional Sales, Renewable Energy Group
Austin Vaillancourt | Business Development Manager, Gevo
Darren Engle | Director of Government Relations, Blue Star Gas
2:15-2:30pm
Break
2:30-3:45pm
Port Air Quality Strategies ▾
This round table session will explore approaches to air quality improvement plans and strategies at west coast ports.
Amira Chowyuk | Port of Seattle
Steve Nicholas | Senior Manager, Air Quality & Sustainable Practices Team, Northwest Seaport Alliance
Angela Becker-Dippman | Director of the Energy & Environment Directorate's Program Development Office, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Karl Simon | Director, Transportation & Climate Division, US EPA Office of Transportation & Air Quality
High-Emitters: Identifying Emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Diesel Tampering ▾
Regulators and researchers have developed noninvasive ways to measure or estimate emissions from diesel vehicles. This session will discuss some of these technologies as well as some of the causes and remedies for high emitting vehicles or emissions system tampering. Participants are invited to visit our in-use display to view some of these technologies in operation.
Moderator: Janice Gedlund | Owner & Principal Scientist, Cogent Environmental
Alex Spataru | Research Scientist, Lecturer, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Gaseous Fuel Vehicles Industry Showcase ▾
The natural gas vehicle (NGV) and propane vehicle industries have reached a high level of maturity, characterized by vehicles that are reliable and capable. Yet the industries continue to innovate and expand to serve new fleet segments and use cases. This session will feature a broad overview of the industries, available vehicles by category and how fleets can specify and order what they need. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from several large and smaller manufacturers and vehicle upfitters to provide a solid lay of the land. We're including NGV and propane autogas providers on the same panel to make it easier for fleet administrators to compare where and how each fuel fits best, based on vehicle sizes, specific applications and infrastructure needs and availability.
Speakers TBC
4:00-4:30pm
Closing Remarks

View last years program and speakers here >>