The 2020 Transit Symposium was hosted by the Kern County Council of Governments. The main goal was to help local transit groups like Golden Empire Transit learn more about how to become greener.

A new law passed by the California Air Resources Board in 2018 will require all public transportation vehicles to be zero-emissions by 2040.

Keynote Speaker Tim Reeser, the CEO and founder of Lightning Systems explained some of the challenges that transit agencies are facing and how the symposium helps.

"It's required by law now that these vehicles have to be zero emissions. So, this conference is designed to help local transit groups map that out. It's important we understand its better, but there's also a challenge when it comes to these commercial vehicles. From a technology standpoint, how do you charge these? We've had a lot of panel discussions here on infrastructure. Utility companies are here. How do you find the hydrogen fuel for these vehicles?"

There were also tests of future electric commercial vehicles during the symposium which was held at Hodel's Thursday afternoon.