FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mollie Michel
718-536-6336, mollie.michel@
Alex Mountfield
202-599-7509, alex.mountfield@
Maryland Department of the Environment Holds Virtual Public Hearing on Advanced Clean Truck Standards
Popular program, if implemented without delay, will reduce toxic diesel emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and protect public health
Annapolis — Following on the heels of Maryland's September 18 adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II standards, Governor Moore's Administration continues to show strong leadership tackling toxic air and climate pollution from the transportation sector. Today, the focus is on the Advanced Clean Trucks program. The Maryland Department of the Environment is holding a virtual public hearing at 10AM ET to receive comments on its proposal to adopt the popular Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule.
More information about the hearing and the ACT rule can be found here.
This life-saving policy will encourage the heavy-duty vehicle industry to transition to zero-emission trucks, delivery vans, and school buses to provide relief for Marylanders suffering daily from dirty air and the health impacts caused by transportation pollution. Coupled with the recent adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II standards that were formally adopted last month, this policy puts the state on the road to a cleaner, greener future.
Other East Coast states, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont as well as Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington, have already adopted the ACT Rule, and Connecticut, Maine, New Mexico and Rhode Island have introduced the program in hopes of finalizing in 2023.
Transportation-caused air pollution is impacting the health of Marylanders across the state, especially in communities with environmental justice concerns living near major roadways, warehouses or ports. As a result, Maryland has some of the highest instances of death caused by diesel pollution in the nation. Adopting the ACT Rule will help clean up deadly diesel pollution by requiring an increasing percentage of electric vehicle sales in Maryland.
By adopting just the ACT rule, Maryland is estimated to generate $880 million in health benefits from 2022-2050. The benefits will only be amplified by additional steps Maryland can take to reduce truck pollution. Last year, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Climate Solutions Now Act, which sets one of the most ambitious climate goals in the country. In order to meet these goals, the state must clean up its most polluting sector with cleaner trucks by adopting ACT.
In response, Maryland advocates, policy experts, and business leaders released the following statements:
“Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in the state and a leading source of toxic air pollution that is hazardous to human health. Adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks will be a major step towards reaching the state goal of achieving 60% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2031, said Josh Tulkin, Director, Maryland Sierra Club. “We applaud the Moore Administration and General Assembly for supporting this rule that will bring clean electric trucks and school buses to our communities.”
"Transportation is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland, and this pollution disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-income communities, because they are often located near major roads and highways,” said Ramón Palencia-Calvo, Deputy Executive Director of Maryland LCV. “Maryland needs to urgently implement the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule to improve health outcomes for communities who have endured an unjust and unfair burden of harmful air pollution due to decades of systemic marginalization.”
"As companies across the U.S. seek to electrify their fleets, Maryland can reap major climate, public health, and business benefits by finalizing the Advanced Clean Trucks rule," said Alli Gold Roberts, senior director of state policy, Ceres. "Adopting this policy will accelerate zero-emission vehicle production, ensuring that companies can access clean trucks that will lower their fuel and maintenance costs, all while reducing dangerous pollution that harms public health in Maryland communities and the climate around the world.”
"Electrifying Maryland’s cars, trucks, and buses is a crucial step to address the climate crisis and clean up toxic air pollution," said Kevin Shen, Northeast Transportation Policy Analyst/Advocate at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “The technologies for this transformation are here today and the benefits are substantial. Maryland’s air has persistent ozone issues largely caused by transportation which come with a host of serious health impacts. A managed transition to zero emission vehicles through adoption of Advanced Clean Trucks will save fleets and utility customers money and improve public health.”
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