New York State Advances Clean Trucks Rule to Electrify Vehicles

State Joins Coast to Coast Movement to Adopt Zero-Emission Regulation in Path to Healthier Communities

ALBANY, NY –  Today, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation adopted the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule, moving forward with a regulation that will help to achieve widespread electrification of vehicles ranging from delivery vans to tractor trailers. 

Beginning in 2025, the ACT rule will require manufacturers to produce and sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission trucks and buses annually through 2035, which will have far-reaching public health, environment, and economic benefits for New Yorkers. This zero-emission truck sales regulation is also a necessary pillar of the state’s plan to achieve the emission reductions required by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Through substantive public comments and letters, a coalition of environmental justice, public health, environmental, public health, transportation, and labor advocates in New York have been urging Governor Hochul to greenlight the ACT rule. New York is the latest state to adopt the ACT rule after Oregon, Washington and New Jersey; the states that have adopted or are considering the rule make up over 20% of the national fleet of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. 

Tailpipe pollution from trucks and buses, in particular, have an outsized impact on the public health of New Yorkers due to the 685,000 trucks on the road each year, releasing thousands of tons of particulate matter and smog-forming pollutants. A recent MJ Bradley report shows that by adopting the ACT rule, New York could save lives, avoid additional respiratory illnesses, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

QUOTES FROM SUPPORTERS:

“No community should be a sacrifice zone for the transport of goods. We thank the Hochul administration for listening to advocates urging New York to adopt the ACT rule for healthier communities and critical climate action,” said Jessica Enzmann, Senior Organizing Representative with the Sierra Club. “This rule — being adopted by states from coast to coast —  is a significant step towards moving our state away from dirty diesel trucks, but more is needed to address this outsized source of transportation pollution.”

“The ACT rule is important because pollution from fossil fuel-powered trucks is especially prevalent in communities of color and low-income communities, which are more likely to be located near highways and freight hubs,” said Kathy Harris, Clean Vehicles and Fuels Advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “The ACT rule is a great first step, and must be combined with other policies and programs, such as replacing and retrofitting existing diesel equipment; establishing incentives for electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and mandating emission-reduction measures for environmental justice communities.”

“The Advanced Clean Truck rule is a critical first step towards a zero-emission transportation sector, and we applaud the New York State Department of Conservation and Governor Hochul for finalizing it this year. Diesel emissions from trucks and buses are a main driver of poor air quality in and around communities of color and low-income communities throughout New York State. Widespread electrification of trucks and buses, which the ACT rule enables, will meaningfully reduce exposure to toxic air pollution across the state and, crucially, is a necessary component of any strategy to achieve climate mandates,” said Alok Disa, Senior Research and Policy Analyst at Earthjustice. “Getting this rule finalized now will allow the state to advance additional strategies for vehicle electrification, develop incentives and target investments in environmental justice communities – and we look forward to working with the Administration to advance policies that create an equitable and emissions-free transportation system.”

"It's fantastic to see Governor Hochul moving to adopt the ACT Rule by the end of the year, further showing her leadership on climate and clean transportation," said Betta Broad, Campaign Director of New Yorkers for Clean Power. "This is one important step among many that we must take towards a future New York where no one is sickened from diesel truck exhaust." 

“Ensuring the electrification of our entire carbon-intensive transportation sector, including trucks and buses, is essential as we continue our transition to a zero emission vehicle future,” said Conor Bambrick, Director of Climate Policy at Environmental Advocates NY. “The Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule aligns with the state’s bold climate goals by reducing dangerous emissions, especially in frontline communities that have borne the brunt of pollution-emitting tailpipes. We applaud Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation, for adopting this commonsense rule and look forward to the work that lies ahead.” 

“This is a major victory for environmental justice communities. Diesel-burning trucks are a major contributor to poor air quality in low-income communities and communities of color in New York City that are located adjacent to freeways, ports, and freight hubs. More clean transportation and technologies prioritized in environmental justice communities are needed, but getting electric trucks on the road is a vital first step in dealing with toxic air pollution,” said Kevin Garcia, Transportation Planner at New York City Environmental Justice Alliance.

"Today the Empire State has demonstrated clear ​leadership in addressing air pollution and climate emissions.” said Kevin Shen, a policy analyst and advocate at UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists). “Transitioning New York's over 600,000 medium- and heavy-duty trucks to zero emission vehicles is crucial in making the air safer to breathe, slowing the frightening effects of climate change, reducing truck fleet costs, and providing well-paying jobs. New York joins four other states who have adopted this rule, which will allow New Yorkers and neighbors in New Jersey to breathe cleaner air for many years to come. We look forward to continuing to build the momentum for clean trucks across the region and across the country."

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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.

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Environmental Advocates NY is the leading New York non-profit fighting for a safe climate, clean water and healthier communities for all. We have devoted more than 50 years of service to the people of New York and have been on the frontlines of every major environmental victory the state has enjoyed in the past half century.

New Yorkers for Clean Power (NYCP) is a statewide collaborative campaign to rapidly shift to a clean energy economy. Through education, advocacy and organizing, the campaign engages the public, local governments and businesses to advance a range of renewable energy, energy efficiency, heat pumps and clean transportation solutions.

Founded in 1991, the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA) is a non-profit citywide membership network linking grassroots organizations from low-income communities of color in their struggle for environmental justice. NYC-EJA empowers its member organizations to advocate for improved environmental conditions and against inequitable environmental burdens through the coordination of campaigns designed to inform City and State policies. Through our efforts, member organizations coalesce around specific common issues that threaten the ability for low-income communities of color to thrive.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet’s most pressing problems. Joining with people across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe and sustainable future. For more information, go to www.ucsusa.org.