The prolonged Congressional debate over America’s long-term energy policy continues with the proposed American Energy Production Act of 2008. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) proposed Senate bill 2958 this past week in an effort to expand domestic inventories of natural gas, oil and coal. The crux of the proposed act is the opening of the Outer Continental Shelf as well as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for cultivation of new energy resources.

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Commuters and bus passengers in the city of San Diego will see new buses hitting local streets that help reduce exhaust and noxious fumes. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is introducing the city’s first bus with a mixed electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) system. The system has authorized the purchase of up to 270 hybrid-diesel and CNG buses that could meet the city’s goal for a 100% green fleet. The 476-bus fleet currently has three-quarters of its fleet running on CNG though system leaders want to run completely on clean energy by 2014.

MTS officials worked with ISE Corporation to develop the electric/CNG system that is used in a prototype running routes at present. This bus features the city’s standard 40-foot frame powered by batteries manufactured by Cobasys. The 165-kW electric generator kicks in while the bus is braking and stopping along daily routes to build up reserve energy. The prototype features a renovated chassis that holds up the ISE hybrid system without sacrificing durability over thousands of miles.

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