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To: Committee on Energy Utilities and Technology
From: Patricia Rubert-Nason, Sierra Club Maine
Date: May 4, 2021
Re: Testimony in Support of LD 1579 - An Act To Transition State and Local Motor Vehicle Fleets to 100 Percent Zero-emission Vehicles
Chairman Lawrence, Chairman Berry and Members of the Joint Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology. My name is Patricia Rubert-Nason and I write on behalf of Sierra Club and the over 20,000 members and supporters in Maine. Founded in 1892, Sierra Club is one of our nation’s oldest and largest environmental organizations. We work diligently to amplify the power of our 3.8 million members nationwide as we defend everyone's right to a healthy world. We urge you to vote “ought-to-pass” on LD 1579, An Act To Transition State and Local Motor Vehicle Fleets to 100 Percent Zero-emission Vehicles.
LD 1579 is commonsense legislation that moves Maine towards our climate goals, improves public health, and saves money for Maine communities. Moreover, it has the flexibility to accommodate situations where electric vehicles may not be suitable.
Transportation makes up 54% of carbon dioxide emissions in Maine.1 We cannot decarbonize without addressing transportation. LD 1579 would take one step in that direction by setting clear goals and timelines for replacing school buses and light-duty fleet vehicles operated by the state, counties, municipalities, and the department of public safety with zero-emission vehicles. It also convenes a working group to gather needed information to support this transition.
The state of Maine currently has over 2000 fleet vehicles. While fleet vehicles represent only a small fraction of vehicles on the road, they nevertheless account for over 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.2 In addition to directly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Maine’s investment in zero-emission fleet vehicles provides leadership and will help drive the market and build public confidence as they have the opportunity to see zero-emission vehicles operating successfully in the Maine environment.
Transitioning to zero-emission vehicles is also good for public health. As the mother of young children, I think this is especially important for school buses. Diesel emissions from school buses expose children to high levels of air pollution. This negatively impacts both their health and academic performance. A 2019 study from Georgia State University showed significant gains in aerobic capacity and English scores and smaller gains in math after retrofitting school buses to reduce emissions.3 Other studies have shown reductions in the incidence of bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia,4 and reduced absenteeism.5
In addition to the climate and health benefits, transitioning to zero-emission vehicles will save money. While electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids cost more up-front than conventional vehicles, they cost significantly less to operate and maintain. According to Consumer Reports, savings over the lifetime of a vehicle approach $9,000 in the car category and $15,000 for trucks, even after accounting for the initial price differential.6
Current zero-emission vehicles may not be suitable for every application in the state of Maine. As a rural state, long travel distances are common and electric vehicles, in particular, may not always be up for the challenge, especially in the cold. LD 1579 allows for this, only mandating the transition to zero-emission vehicles “where practicable.” This gives agencies the flexibility they need to accommodate the full range of possible applications of fleet vehicles and to continue using conventional vehicles if needed.
Transitioning to zero-emission vehicles will benefit our climate, our health, and our pocketbooks. For the good of all Mainers, I ask the committee to vote “ought-to-pass” on LD 1579.
Respectfully,
Patricia Rubert-Nason, Legislative Team Volunteer
1 Eighth Biennial Report on Progress toward Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals
2 Maine Lead by Example Report 2021 https://www.maine.gov/future/sites/maine.gov.future/files/inline-files/Lead%20By%20Example_2021.pdf