Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
ALBANY, NY— Today, Governor Hochul's Department of Environmental Conservation initiated a rulemaking for the adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, which will deliver zero-emission trucks to New York State, helping to slash diesel emissions, improve air quality, and spur the electric truck market.
This development comes on the heels of environmental justice, public health, transportation, clean energy, and environmental advocates in New York urging Governor Hochul to greenlight the ACT rule. Beginning in 2025, the regulation requires manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of new electric trucks annually through 2035.
A forthcoming report from M.J. Bradley & Associates shows that the ACT rule, if adopted, will deliver huge public health, economic, and climate benefits by 2050 for New York:
● Preventing 231 hospital visits and 237 premature deaths
● Avoiding 155,116 of lost work days from respiratory illnesses
● Achieving $2.7 billion in state public health savings
● Slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 64 million metric tons
● Adding thousands of new jobs and GDP growth of $453 million
There will be a virtual public hearing on November 9 and the deadline for public comments for the ACT rule is November 17.
In response, Jessica Enzmann, New York Organizing Representative for the Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“Governor Hochul heard from New Yorkers and acted swiftly. This rule is a significant step towards moving New York away from dirty diesel trucks and building healthier and safer communities across our state.
“The exhaust from diesel trucks contributes to a range of harmful health impacts, particularly for the low-income communities and communities of color disproportionately exposed to vehicle pollution.
“No community should be a sacrifice zone for the transport of goods. The quicker New York moves on adopting this rule, the sooner it can implement this policy to electrify freight and begin saving lives and our planet.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.