PRESS RELEASE - January 18, 2024

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mollie Michel; 718-536-6336; mollie.michel@sunstonestrategies.org
Mark Nicastre; 860-685-1542; mark@fitlerstrategies.com

Diverse, statewide coalition urges Governor Shapiro to move forward with adoption of clean trucks rule
Popular program adopted by 11 states would increase supply of pollution-free buses, trucks, and vans in the commonwealth

Harrisburg – Today, a diverse coalition of businesses, public health experts, and climate organizations launched a new campaign calling for adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule in Pennsylvania. 

This is not the first time Governor Shapiro has heard from advocates and business leaders about the Advanced Clean Trucks program. In October 2023, industry leaders sent a letter to the administration calling for the adoption of the ACT program. They write: “Pennsylvania is already the keystone to an I-80 fast charge corridor, and adoption of ACT will further encourage development of that critical infrastructure and enable cost-effective electrification of MHDVs at the pace and scale needed to meet climate and air quality goals, while delivering public health and economic benefits for communities and businesses alike.”

Eleven states have already adopted the ACT rule, including our neighbors in New Jersey, New York, and Maryland, as well as California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

According to a 2023 analysis by ERM and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), implementing the ACT Rule in 2024 would result in at least 3,524 new jobs by 2035, supporting growth in Pennsylvania’s clean energy economy. These include battery and electric component manufacturing jobs, charging infrastructure construction, and electricity generation. It would also mean at least $2.3 billion annually in net societal benefits for Pennsylvania. These gains include $1.3 billion in net fleet savings and $382 million in utility net revenue, totaling nearly $24.9 billion by 2050. If the commonwealth does not implement the ACT Rule, it will fall behind other states as they see investment and job growth.

Pennsylvania is making progress toward bus and truck electrification, bolstered by millions in federal funding and private investment. Last week, the commonwealth was awarded over $45 million to purchase 120 electric school buses, helping to protect the health of PA’s children, including the more than one in five kids in Philadelphia who suffer from asthma. On the same day, the Pennsylvania DEP announced grant awardees for an additional $39.6 million in funding to replace diesel vehicles with zero-emission vehicles.

While these are positive moves toward heavy-duty vehicle electrification in the commonwealth, more must be done to ensure that communities across the commonwealth from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh are not overburdened by the toxic tailpipe pollution generated by the transportation sector. The ACT rule would reduce dangerous diesel tailpipe pollution and protect economic well-being by lowering vehicle emissions and accelerating the transition to electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses.. The rule sets targets for delivery of new zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to the commonwealth that gradually increase each year. These increase yearly through 2035, at which time zero-emission truck sales would need to comprise 55% of new van sales, 75% of new rigid/box truck sales, and 40% of new truck tractor sales.

If you would like more information about ACT adoption or to speak to an advocate or expert in Pennsylvania, please contact Mollie Michel at 718-536-6336 or mollie.michel@sunstonestrategies.org.