Christ Yoder
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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a significant step in reducing harmful emissions from trucks with the final adoption of New York’s Advanced Clean Truck Rule. The regulation, first proposed during the governor’s commemoration of Climate Week in September, will help help the state meet the ambitious goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) by phasing in the sale and the use of zero-emission trucks and will reduce their harmful pollutants, which have a disproportionate impact on the health and well-being of disadvantaged communities.
“New York continues to lead the nation in the fight against the climate crisis, taking bold steps to end our dependence on fossil fuels and the transition to clean energy,” Governor Hochul said. “The regulations we pass will help us reduce pollution and emissions, begin the transition to clean electric trucks, and tackle the environmental injustices that have plagued too many communities in our state. “
The new Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule finalized by the State Department for Environmental Conservation (DEC) requires manufacturers of vehicles over 8,500 pounds to sell a growing number of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in New York State. The regulation complements legislation recently passed by New York State that set a target of 100% medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, to be registered in the state at zero. emission by 2045, to the extent possible. The ACT regulation will also lead to substantial reductions in emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and toxic pollutants in underprivileged communities that have been disproportionately affected by pollution from diesel trucks.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said: “Over the past year, we have made incredible progress in implementing CLCPA requirements and taking concrete action to reduce emissions causing the impacts of climate change and 2022 is off to a great start with the finalization of this regulation. It’s a testament to the governor’s commitment to meeting our climate goals and our continued work to help dramatically reduce pollution created by medium and heavy trucks on roads across the state. “
New York signed a ZEV multi-state memorandum of understanding in July 2020 establishing a commitment to work collaboratively to advance and accelerate the market for medium and heavy electric vehicles, including large pickups and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks. New York joins California, New Jersey, Washington and Oregon in adopting ACT.
State Department of Transport Commissioner Marie-Thérèse Dominguez said: “Today’s announcement underscores the important role the transportation industry plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will help support a healthier and safer environment for all New Yorkers. This bold move by Governor Hochul once again demonstrates New York State’s status as a world leader in the fight against climate change.
NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said: “As New York State strives to decarbonize our economy and reduce greenhouse gases, it is exciting to see zero emission truck regulations come to fruition as part of our work to tackle the issue. climate change. Working with the private sector, local communities and consumers, we are leading the way towards a better future that provides cleaner air and healthier communities for all New Yorkers. “
Adopting the ACT is critical to meeting New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) requirement to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 85% by 2050 in the state. The settlement will result in an increase in the number of medium and heavy ZEV models available as purchasing options for buyers and fleets of medium and heavy vehicles. ACT provides the regulatory certainty necessary to support a stable market for long-term vehicle purchasing decisions and the development of medium and heavy ZEV charging infrastructure, including the potential for hydrogen refueling.
Beginning in model year 2025, affected manufacturers would run deficits each year based on the total number of sales of medium and heavy vehicles in New York City. These deficits will be offset by credits generated by the sale of medium and heavy ZEVs or near zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). Medium and heavy ZEV and NZEV credits can be generated, banked and traded by car manufacturers. The credits would have a limited life to ensure continued sales of medium and heavy ZEVs in New York. The sales requirement would increase each year through the 2035 model year.
To support the decarbonization of the transportation sector, New York State has already implemented several key programs to accelerate the transition to zero-emission medium and heavy trucks, including incentives provided through the New York Truck Voucher. Incentive Program and the New York City Clean Trucks Program, commercial vehicle fleet assessment services, a $ 15 million Make-Ready medium and heavy-duty pilot program, and an Electric Trucks and Buses Challenge Prize competition. $ 24 million. New York State agencies and authorities will seek federal funding provided through the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to promote the development of medium and heavy ZEV infrastructure in New York State, including consideration of disadvantaged communities and rural applications. In addition, the DEC and the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) will consult with other state agencies to develop and expand incentive initiatives as part of a strategy. development of the zero-emission vehicle market required by the recently adopted law. This process will be completed no later than January 2023, well in advance of the sale of 2025 model year vehicles covered by DEC’s ACT regulation.
The regulation also establishes a single requirement for the declaration of the fleet of large entities. These medium and heavy-duty fleets in question will be required to submit a single report to DEC by April 1, 2023. The information reported will help identify future strategies to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
Eddie Bautista, executive director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance said: “Governor Hochul’s announcement will bring sighs of relief to black and brown communities in New York City who have been overloaded with pollution from trucks for years. The transition to zero-emission trucks will bring us cleaner, healthier air and provide relief to the many community residents suffering from asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Kathy Harris, Clean Vehicles and Fuels Advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: “The ACT rule is important because pollution from fossil fuel trucks is particularly prevalent in communities of color and low-income communities, which are more likely to be located near highways and freight hubs. . The ACT rule is an important first step and must be combined with other policies and programs, such as the replacement and modernization of existing diesel equipment; establishing incentives for electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and the imposition of emission reduction measures for environmental justice communities. “
Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said: “The transportation industry is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City. Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule pushes sales of medium and heavy vehicles in New York to increasingly cleaner vehicles and zero emissions (ZEV) over the next 15 years and reduces the use of dirty fossil fuels that pollute our air, especially in environmental justice communities. Decarbonizing New York’s transportation sector is vital to achieving State emission reduction targets – the adoption of the ACT is an essential step in the right direction. We congratulate Governor Hochul, Commissioner Seggos and the DEC for adopting this crucial policy this year. “
Peter M. Iwanowicz, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates NY said: “The finalization of these rules is a gift of fresh air for all New Yorkers, but especially for those who live in areas where lots of dirty diesel trucks roam. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for taking action to reduce the pollution from trucks that is making far too many New Yorkers sick and leading to premature deaths. With this new rule, current and future generations will lead healthier lives. “
Anne Reynolds, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, said: “By moving forward with the clean truck rules, New York retains a leadership role in climate action and the quest for clean air. Adoption of this rule now gives manufacturers a deadline for New York can adopt clean medium and heavy commercial vehicles in the years to come – an important step for the implementation of the New York climate action plan.
New York State’s National Climate Law
The nation’s leading New York State climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and energy initiative in the country, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues to build an economy green as New York State recovers from COVID-19 pandemic. Written into law by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on track to meet its goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, of which 70% is produced from renewable energy. ‘by 2030, and achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York’s unprecedented investments to increase clean energy, including more than $ 33 billion in 102 large-scale renewable energy and transmission projects across the state, $ 6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $ 1.8 billion to increase solar power, more than $ 1 billion for clean energy transportation initiatives and more than $ 1.6 billion in commitments from the NY Green Bank. Together, these investments support nearly 158,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2020, 2,100% growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011, and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind power. by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a target of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments go to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing energy consumption. Onsite energy saving 185 trillion BTUs in end-use energy.
