In a new effort to make critical progress on climate and to clean up a major source of unhealthy air pollution, Oregon has proposed a set of new regulations that would begin a much-needed transition to much cleaner trucks.
Our transportation sector generates 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon, making it the largest source in the state. Heavy diesel trucks and buses make up a disproportionate bulk of that—23 percent of emissions although they only represent 4 percent of vehicles on the road. Carbon emissions from trucks have been increasing along with the amount of miles these trucks travel, which is projected to grow for the foreseeable future in this economy. It is painfully clear that without stronger regulations on the transportation sector, Oregon will fail to meet its climate goals and keep endangering its most vulnerable communities. But with new cleaner trucks, Oregon could eliminate 2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and take a significant step towards building healthier and safer communities for all people.
Meanwhile, heavy diesel engines generate 25 percent of the smog-causing air pollutants in Oregon, and they are a huge source of unhealthy small soot particles in our communities, particularly in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. New cleaner trucks could reduce four tons of smog pollution each day, and 180 tons of particulates by 2035, a significant drop in the bucket for cleaner air.
Last summer, 15 states, including Oregon, signed a multi-state commitment to transition away from dirty trucks by committing to sell only zero-emission trucks by 2050. The states represent half of the U.S. economy and 40 percent of all goods moved by trucks.
Also last summer, California adopted a historic clean trucks rule known as the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. Under the federal Clean Air Act, other states may opt into the California vehicle emission rules. If Oregon approves the rules now under consideration, Oregon would essentially be opting into the California clean truck rules. Oregon opted into California’s rules for cleaner cars back in 2006. A number of states are already actively considering adoption of the clean truck program, including New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington State. Washington and Oregon’s adoption would create an important clean truck corridor on the West Coast.
The idea behind the clean truck rules is simple: Truck manufacturers will simply be required to sell an increasing percentage of electric trucks annually in Oregon. By 2030, 30 percent of trucks sold in Oregon would need to be electric and by 2045, 100 percent of trucks must be electric. Meanwhile, standards for truck emissions of smog-causing pollution and small particulates would tighten.
A large and diverse coalition of environmental and community organizations, including the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, have come together to support these important, life-saving standards and to demand cleaner trucks. Join us!
What you can do:
- Sign our petition and submit a comment calling for Oregon to adopt the Clean Trucks Rules by noon, October 1st (EXTENDED!)
- Attend one of the online public hearings on September 16th -or- Friday, October 1st (9:30AM-10:30AM)
- Share this call to action on social media.
- Want to help even more? Contact volunteer leader Terry Harris.