Fresno, CA – With funding from the California Energy Commission, CALSTART today announced it has opened the San Joaquin Valley Clean Transportation Center. The new Center’s goal is to accelerate the use of clean vehicles and fuels and help the region more quickly meet its air quality targets.

The Center will provide technical assistance, project development expertise, and support with acquiring funding for San Joaquin Valley vehicle fleet owners, local governments, businesses, and residents. Its work will expand the use of zero-emission vehicles, clean trucks, and high-efficiency non-road equipment.

CALSTART secured the funding for the center in a competitive California Energy Commission (CEC) solicitation.

“The San Joaquin Valley Clean Transportation Center is part of a larger strategy to address regional clean-air needs across the state,” said Janea A. Scott, Commissioner at the California Energy Commission.  “The Energy Commission is pleased to provide a $1.2 million grant to fund this center, which will help local residents, governments and businesses collaborate on advanced transportation solutions and accelerate their progress toward meeting the Valley’s clean-air goals.”

“The San Joaquin Valley Clean Transportation Center is a great new regional resource that will play an important role in helping to improve air quality and reduce emissions from vehicles. The center has strong connections and relations with a national network of manufacturers, suppliers, and fleets that we will be able to utilize to improve our transportation system,” said Seyed Sadredin, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

Directing the Center’s work will be San Joaquin Valley native, Joseph Oldham.

After graduating from Fresno State University with a degree in biology, Oldham has held a number of positions relevant to the clean transportation industry. Among others, he was the Fleet Acquisition Supervisor for the City of Fresno, where he oversaw the transition of that fleet from gasoline and diesel to natural gas. Most recently, Oldham served as the Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Coordinator for the Local Government Commission, an effective non-profit group, working with cities in California to implement building efficiency and sustainability programs.

”Joseph is a very skilled person who has a solid track record of working with people in industry and government to identify and implement practical solutions that are good for the environment and the economy. We are also pleased to have Joseph on the team as he is a Fresno native and has a strong network in the region,” said John Boesel, President and CEO of CALSTART.

Key partners assisting the Center in its work are the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD), Southern California Gas Company, the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, the San Joaquin Valley Clean Cities Coalition, as well as a broad range of stakeholders interested in improving air quality in the San Joaquin Valley.

Located at the historic Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, SJVCTC is ramping up operations in the Valley into early 2016, and will act as a virtual center for the entire Valley – from Bakersfield to Stockton. In addition to the California Energy Commission grant, the Southern California Gas Company provided $200,000 in matching funds to support the center’s mission.