WHITTIER – Río Hondo College Alternative Fuels/Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles Professor John Frala will serve as the academic advisor for California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Clean Transportation Program, providing guidance on how to communicate educational matters to the public.

In his role, Frala will work to ensure that community colleges, colleges and universities receive funding to train future clean energy technicians to support Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20, which states that 100 percent of in-state sales of cars and trucks will be zero-emission by 2035. Frala said his role on the committee is to advocate not only for Río Hondo College students, but all students who wish to have a career in the transportation industry.

“I am a very passionate energy instructor that believes in using the energy efficiently,” Frala said. “I want to make electricity and hydrogen the number one goal to improve the public’s knowledge of energy development and usage in our great state, and I feel this is key to workforce development in our current students for their long-term economic growth.”

The California Energy Commission provides access to data on energy production, consumption, research, conservation and use in California, while the Clean Transportation Program provides funding to support innovation and accelerate the development and deployment of advanced transportation fuel technologies.

Frala has been working with and has received funding from the CEC for some 16 years and said that now more than ever, the Committee is paramount to ensuring student workforce success and the safety of the environment.

“We are positively thrilled that Professor Frala has been chosen to serve on the California Energy Commission – we know he will do Río Hondo College proud,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “Our alternative fuels and electric and fuel cell degree programs are top-of-the-line and we see Professor Frala’s appointment as an indication that Río Hondo College is continuing to provide the tools and skills our students need for the future.”