By Stephen Nakrosis

Southern California Gas Co. said Wednesday it received over $7.1 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to support three projects studying clean automotive transportation technologies.

The company said its Research, Development & Demonstration department will provide an additional $730,000 to fund the projects.

The company said it is working with Cummins Inc. on a project to "develop a single prototype zero-emissions fuel cell design that can power both heavy-duty class 8 trucks and transit buses."

A second project, led by GTI, "aims to develop and demonstrate a natural gas hybrid line-haul rail locomotive that will minimize emissions below the current standards and operate on renewable natural gas," Southern California Gas said.

The third project, which is being carried out with West Virginia University's Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions, "will study the difference in maintenance and labor costs for new, alternative fuel trucks powered by natural gas, propane and electric compared to standard diesel trucks," the company said.

Yuri Freedman, senior director of business development at Southern California Gas, said "The transportation sector accounts for around 40% of California's GHG emissions, and developing zero- and near-zero emissions vehicle technology is critical to mitigating the impacts of climate change."

Southern California Gas Co. is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy. 



  --Write to Stephen Nakrosis at stephen.nakrosis@wsj.com