WSTC to discuss the nexus of clean fuels and transportation

Transportation Commission’s virtual meeting set for March 16 and 17

OLYMPIA – The relationship between green energy and transportation will be explored at the Washington State Transportation Commission’s March meeting. As the adoption of electric vehicles grows, centralizing EV charging within multimodal transportation hubs will be a dramatic, technology-driven transformation for transportation – and one that few state and local governments are prepared for.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. on both Tuesday, March 16, and Wednesday, March 17. Due to limitations on the size of gatherings in response to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted virtually using Zoom Webinar. People interested in attending can register on the commission’s website. The meeting will be broadcast live on TVW at www.tvw.org.

Tuesday morning’s work session will explore the nexus between aviation, surface and marine transportation electrification, and the power to leverage public and private assets and financial resources. It will also explore electrification efforts throughout the Northwest and how to bring innovative technologies to communities of color.

During the work session, there will be two panels. This first panel will address SeaTac Airport as it evolves to become a multimodal hub for clean fuels and statewide electric/autonomous flight. The second panel will address smart cities, smart fleets, and green community mobility. The work session will wrap up with a presentation from the Western Governors Association on efforts underway to electrify western highways.

Tuesday afternoon, the commission will be briefed on a number of reports recently issued by the Washington State Department of Transportation. Report topics will cover electric aircraft deployment; commercial aviation long-term needs and recommendations; and Washington State Ferries’ performance reporting, and efforts to manage fuel costs.

Additionally, WSDOT Tolling staff will provide an overview of the traffic and revenue performance of Washington state toll facilities for October through December 2020 and will provide initial performance data for January through March 2021. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on toll facilities will also be discussed.

On Wednesday, the commission will learn about the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Equity Strategy, which aims to make equity central to all that it does as a regional planning organization. Also, on Wednesday, WSDOT staff will brief the commission on the results of a study that looked at the feasibility of performance-based evaluations of transportation projects based upon policy goals established in current law.

The meeting will close with a discussion on the proposed schedule for making changes to current toll rates on various tolled facilities, by the end of this summer, including public outreach plans.

Questions or comments from the public can be submitted during the meeting by using the “Q&A” box found on-screen during the virtual meeting, and as time allows, will be addressed during the meeting. Written public comment can also be submitted via email until 4 p.m. the day before the meeting. Comments should be sent to transc@wstc.wa.gov. Written comments received after this deadline will be provided to commissioners after the meeting.

All presentations will be available on the commission’s website. For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/

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About Commissioner Jim Restucci

James "Jim" A. Restucci is a member of the Washington State Transportation Commission. His commission expires on December 31, 2024. He currently serves as chair of the State Autonomous Vehicle Work Group Executive Committee. More information is available on the WSTC website.

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