Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Mythbusters' Hyneman Fights for Clean Air

Former Mythbusters' star Jamie Hyneman is stepping back in front of the camera to support the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach’s Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). As part of his support, Hyneman is partnering with Cummins Westport to promote CAAP and the company’s efforts to reduce emissions on its own.

by Michaela Kwoka-Coleman
December 8, 2017
Mythbusters' Hyneman Fights for Clean Air

Former Mythbusters star and clean air advocate Jamie Hyneman (image courtesy of Cummins Westport)

2 min to read


Former Mythbusters star and clean air advocate Jamie Hyneman (image courtesy of Cummins Westport)

Former Mythbusters' star Jamie Hyneman is stepping back in front of the camera to support the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach’s Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), a joint effort to reduce pollution at the country’s two busiest ports.

As part of his support, Hyneman is partnering with Cummins Westport to promote CAAP and the company’s efforts to reduce emissions on its own.

Ad Loading...

Cummins Westport needed someone to communicate the company’s emissions reduction efforts, which were continuously being overshadowed by other technological advances, explained Rob Neitzke, president of Cummins Westport. A Columbus, Ind., native, Hyneman shares his hometown with Cummins, creating an affinity for the brand he now represents.

“Cummins Westport was also working on some really cool stuff, but no one was hearing about it,” Neitzke said. “The company was in need of someone who not only had a background in science, could communicate complex science stories in a way that would be easily understood by non-engineers.”

Hyneman released a YouTube video for Cummins Westport, which, with the help of a cow named Bessie, explains the production of renewable biogas from animal waste. The video goes on to explain how Cummins Westport developed internal combustion engines that run on this renewable biogas.

Ad Loading...

"I'm proud to partner with Cummins Westport on their commitment to develop the cleanest engines on the planet," Hyneman said. "Not only are they clean-burning but the fact that they can be used with renewable natural gas produced from organic waste means we are helping to keep methane, one of the world's most potent greenhouse gases, from reaching the atmosphere."

Aside from his stint on Mythbusters, Hyneman is also a special effects expert, entrepreneur, innovator, and patent holder.

“Given his influence and passion for clean energy, the partnership seemed like a great fit,” Neitzke said.

The Clean Air Action Plan,  approved by the Harbor Commissioners in November, sets goals to reduce port-related emissions of NOx by 59%, Sox by 93%, and diesel particulate matter by 77% for 2023. It also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from port-related sources by 40% below 1990 levels by 2023 and 0% below 1990 levels by 2025.

In addition to advocating for CAAP and representing Cummins Westport, Hyneman helped open Soletair, a regenerative electric power plant that produces synthetic fuels, in June of this year.

Ad Loading...

In conjunction with Finland’s Lappeenranta University of Technology, Hyneman’s plant produces renewable fuels and chemicals from carbon dioxide in the air. LUT made Hyneman an honorary doctor of the program.

Hyneman will take part in select appearances at Cummins Westport events throughout 2018.

Check out a video of what Hyneman has to say about his efforts below: 

More Fuel Smarts

Fuel Smartsby StaffAugust 31, 2026

California Bill Could Shed Light on Electric Truck Prices

Why do battery-electric Class 8 trucks remain so expensive? A California bill headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom would give fleets and state agencies more visibility into what manufacturers charge.

Read More →
Illustration of Freightliner Cascadia on highway with engine cutaway
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 27, 2026

Detroit Opens Orders for EPA 2027 Engines

Detroit isn’t starting from scratch to meet EPA 2027 diesel emissions standards. Its Gen 6 DD13 and DD15 engines keep much of today’s platform while updating the fuel and aftertreatment systems.

Read More →
Group of people and zero-emission trucks during ceremony announcing a West Coast ZEV corridor.
Fuel Smartsby News/Media ReleaseAugust 26, 2026

Zero-Emission Truck Corridor Planned for West Coast

California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Baja California are coordinating plans for truck charging and hydrogen fueling from Canada to Mexico.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail showing Kenworth T880e electric truck and KW marketing director Kyle Kimball.
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 25, 2026

A Closer Look at Kenworth’s Electric T880E Vocational Truck [Video]

Learn more about Kenworth's T880E battery-electric vocational truck at the Paccar Technical Center, including its range, applications, upfitting considerations, and PTO options, in this HDT Spotlight video.

Read More →
White heavy-duty Kenworth T880e battery-powered straight truck with flatbed
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 25, 2026

Kenworth T880E Brings EV Power to Vocational Trucks

A closer look at the Kenworth T880E’s range, charging, powertrain and upfit options — and where fleets are showing the most interest.

Read More →
Woman with red hair superimposed on background showing a King Fio electric Volvo truck at the port, plus the HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026 logo
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeAugust 14, 2026

Jennie Abarca Is Proving Electric Trucks Can Do the Job

HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Jennie Abarca is building confidence in fleet electrification one load at a time while openly sharing the challenges she encounters along the way as a small-fleet owner.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
EquipmentJuly 23, 2026

Cummins Adjusts 2027 Engine Rollout After EPA Proposal

The engine maker will gradually introduce its new Model Year 2027 diesel engines while continuing to offer current models during the transition, citing the EPA's proposed emissions rule changes.

Read More →
Four men in suits on the National Mall with giant video screen showing capitol building in the background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 10, 2026

EPA Proposal Could Ease 2027 Truck Costs and Buying Uncertainty

The proposal doesn't change the tougher NOx standard, but it would revise key implementation requirements that manufacturers say have driven up costs and complicated fleet purchasing decisions.

Read More →
Illustration showing Paccar MX engine with sketch illustration of DEF fill tank in background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 7, 2026

Cummins, Paccar Ease DEF Derates After EPA Guidance

Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration with wrenches in background with "Maintenance in the Messy Middle: Biodiesel" text and NACFE Run on Less logo
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJuly 2, 2026

Maintenance in the Messy Middle Part 3: Biodiesel

Biodiesel can reduce emissions, improve fuel-system lubricity and use existing diesel infrastructure. But NACFE’s Messy Middle maintenance report says fleets must actively manage storage, cold-weather operation, filters and oil drain intervals to avoid problems.

Read More →