FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30th, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Harrison Carpenter-Neuhaus; 786-214-1204;
harrison.carpenter-neuhaus@sunstonestrategies.org
Emily Murray, 805-699-5254
emily@sunstonestrategies.org
Clean air advocates call on Governor Hochul to protect clean truck standards
Fossil fuel interests attack life-saving pollution policies to protect their bottom line at the expense of New Yorkers’ health & safety.
NEW YORK — In 2021, New York adopted the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) standard to tackle deadly diesel pollution in communities across the state. The rule sets increasing sales targets for electric trucks and includes flexibilities to ensure truck makers are able to comply effectively.
Despite the overwhelming benefits for New Yorkers, and feasibility of the timelines set in the rule, some lawmakers and the state trucking trade association have called on Governor Hochul to delay ACT implementation. These developments in New York mirror other developing attacks in neighboring states like New Jersey and Massachusetts. But the reality is that these calls for delay are being driven in part by industry market manipulation & misinformation.
California officials and industry analysts have found that truck manufacturers are arbitrarily imposing challenging sales ratios on dealers while falsely blaming regulations and up-charging customers for zero-emission trucks compared to prices for the same models in Europe. Despite ample flexibility within ACT regulations and the fact that many manufacturers are already well ahead of current requirements, truck makers are deliberately fueling a false crisis as a political pressure tactic.
With the rise of e-commerce and proliferation of mega e-commerce warehouses where polluting trucks run in and out twenty-four hours a day, exposure to toxic truck pollution is only getting worse for frontline communities. The ACT is estimated to save hundreds of lives and estimated to generate nearly $2.8 billion in public health benefits. If implemented on time, clean truck standards could generate an additional 2,195 well-paid jobs in the first ten years and increase New York’s GDP by $453 million.
In response to attacks on clean air in New York, clean air advocates released the following statements:
“Science-based rules like the Advanced Clean Trucks rule reduce diesel pollution and its resulting severe cardiovascular illnesses.” said Kevin X. Shen, policy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Yet, manufacturers are utilizing underhanded tactics to keep New Yorkers behind. On-time implementation of the rule is crucial in protecting clean air and making cost-saving technologies available to communities across the state.”
“Governor Hochul must stay the course and adhere to the Advanced Clean Trucks rule timeline to protect disadvantaged communities across the state. The ACT rule is not just about cleaner air but also an investment in public health especially for low-income communities of color in New York City living near highways, ports, and last-mile and mega e-commerce warehouses that deal with diesel-burning trucks,” said Kevin Garcia, Senior Transportation Planner for the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance. “Delaying the ACT rule will put our communities at risk and hinder our progress to meeting our climate mandates.”
“Cleaner trucks means a more stable climate, cleaner air, and healthier communities for us all, and particularly our environmental justice communities living next to our busiest, highly trafficked highways.” Sierra Club Senior Campaign Organizer Jessica Enzmann “We urge Governor Hochul to protect New York residents and oppose any attempt by the trucking industry to delay swift implementation of this important program to slash transportation pollution. Let’s move forward with ACT.”
“There is no sustainable future for New York without a shift to clean transportation. Today, the transportation sector accounts for nearly half of the state’s climate pollution, and policies like the Advanced Clean Trucks program are vital to protecting both the climate and the communities suffering from rampant diesel pollution,” said Anshul Gupta, Policy & Research Director for New Yorkers for Clean Power. “Governor Hochul must stand up to truck makers’ manipulation and keep these life-saving policies on schedule.”
“The Advanced Clean Trucks rule is a pillar of the state’s historic climate scoping plan and the most direct tool to boost the availability of zero-emission trucks across the state. New York State is taking action to ramp up charging infrastructure and support the requirements in the regulation. Now, just as the rule is about to unlock New York’s clean truck future, is the time to stay the course, not slam the brakes,” said Alok Disa, Senior Research and Policy Analyst at Earthjustice. “We urge Governor Hochul to continue her commitment to climate justice by opposing industry efforts to thwart New York’s pathway towards a zero-emissions transportation sector.”