New York Legislators Support a Life-saving Clean Truck Standard

State leaders call to protect New York’s clean truck standard, highlighting the huge health, economic and climate benefits 

Albany, NY –  To protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers, state legislative leaders are speaking out against a corporate misinformation campaign to undermine a life-saving clean air program, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) standard. 

The ACT program was adopted in 2021 with broad support from state leaders, elected officials, and the public. Now, just as implementation begins, corporate interests are using false claims and misrepresentations about the ACT standard to pressure state leaders to roll back or weaken these vital pollution protections. 

This is a critical moment for clean air progress. With the rise of e-commerce and the proliferation of mega warehouses, exposure to toxic truck pollution is only getting worse. Diesel fumes are known to cause or worsen asthma, lung disease and cancer, and New Yorkers are especially impacted. Communities like the South Bronx face some of the highest death and disease rates from asthma in the country, and research shows that 3,000 people die every year from air pollution in New York City alone.  

Full implementation of New York’s clean truck standard is estimated to save hundreds of lives and is estimated to generate nearly $2.8 billion in public health benefits. If implemented on time, clean truck standards could generate an additional 2,195 well-paid jobs in the first ten years and increase New York’s GDP by $453 million. New York is already one of the leading states on electric truck infrastructure investments, and utilities like ConEd are investing in grid updates to support the needs of more clean trucks. 

Despite New York's readiness and the massive benefits for communities, some lawmakers are advancing attacks on the standards with an anti-ACT bill.

In response to the attacks on New York’s clean truck standards, legislators released the following statements:

“When it comes to environmental protections, the storyline is always the same – polluters drag their feet and say they can’t possibly meet the standards, they need a couple more years. Then in a couple years, they act surprised when the deadline is approaching, and say they need a few more. Now is not the time for New York State to be backtracking on protecting New Yorkers from pollution. The ACT standard is achievable and necessary, and there is no reason for delay,” said Senator Liz Krueger (SD-28).

"Why would we back away from cleaner air, healthier kids, and lower carbon emissions? We shouldn't, and we won't. The Advanced Clean Trucks rule has put us on the right track by phasing in targets for electric truck sales that will keep our economy humming, and momentum is on our side," said Senator Julia Salazar (SD-18).

"The Advanced Clean Trucks rule is a critical step toward environmental justice and healthier communities across New York. Too many of our neighborhoods—especially in The Bronx—have carried the burden of toxic air for far too long. This policy helps ensure that the transition to clean transportation is not only possible, but equitable. It’s how we protect public health, create good jobs, and build a future where every New Yorker can breathe easier,” said Senator Nathalia Fernandez (SD-34). 

“We cannot wait any longer to implement a clean fuel policy in New York State. Diesel trucks are one of the most significant sources of air pollution in New York, which kills 3,000 New Yorkers every year. Unfortunately, just as we are set to implement the Advanced Clean Trucks Standard, which was agreed to four years ago, corporate polluters are trying to kill the agreement. The ACT standard, and the reduced emissions, good paying jobs, and economic benefits that creating new zero emission trucks will bring, must move forward as originally intended. Doing so will make a tremendous difference in supporting our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the public health of New Yorkers.” Said Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (SD-47).

“My community can’t afford to wait any longer to breathe fresh air,” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N. (AD-87), Chair of the NYS Assembly & Senate’s Puerto Rican / Hispanic Task Force. “As a mother and health professional serving the Bronx, I see how the pollution-generating Cross Bronx Expressway and congested thoroughfares contribute to the notoriously high asthma rates that harm our children and vulnerable community members each day. These comorbidities led to my district having one of the highest COVID-19 positivity and death rates during the Pandemic. We need to tackle truck traffic and fossil fuel-burning trucks today, not tomorrow, with the ACT standard. The proposed legislation to rollback this standard would harm every community, but especially harm population-dense communities of color, like mine, and we cannot stand for it.”

“The ACT standard is more than just smart policy—it’s a necessary step to protect communities across the state from deadly diesel pollution,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon (AD-52). “We have a clear and feasible plan to transition to cleaner trucks that will clean up our air, save lives, and help us meet our climate goals. Our progress depends on clean trucks—now is not the time to delay or roll back the ACT."

“For years, communities like mine have been ignored while toxic truck pollution has cut lives short and caused asthma issues that will follow children their whole lives,” said Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest (AD-57). “Yet now that we finally have a pathway to clean up our air, corporate polluters are trying to derail life-saving progress at the last minute. Now is the time for New York to put public health over corporate profits and follow through on the clean truck standards that New Yorkers need.”

“E-commerce companies are reporting record profits while our working class communities bear the brunt of their corporate interests,” said Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes (AD-51). “The efforts to address the harmful consequences that toxic air emissions have on New Yorkers took a significant step forward with the adoption of the Advanced Clean Truck Rule. New York must continue to be a leader in environmental justice and clean air policies—not backtrack when our communities need bold action the most."

"As a district heavily influenced by JFK Airport, our communities in Assembly District 31 will benefit from strong and clean truck standards” said Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson (AD-31). “Many trucks serve the airport and nearby warehouses, but the resulting traffic places an undue burden on surrounding residents, who must also contend with airplane emissions. I urge our partners to uphold the standards set by the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and ensure they remain unchanged."

“New York adopted the ACT program years ago because legislators, advocates, and the public all recognized that reducing pollution and protecting clean air is an essential part of maintaining a livable state. This issue is personal for me— Greenpoint has a long history of being treated as a dumping ground, and the BQE cuts right through my district. Adopting clean truck standards will dramatically improve the health, safety, and well-being of my community. It’s not enough to set bold goals. We must follow through on our commitments and lead if we want to build a healthier, more prosperous state for the people we serve.” Said Assembly Member Emily Gallagher (AD-50).

“We’ve heard the argument that we don’t have the Infrastructure for long-haul electric trucks, but that ignores the fact that we could convert thousands of pickups, vans and box trucks that make millions of deliveries every day in our cities, towns and villages. Clean trucks are already on the road, making deliveries and proving this transition is possible. The reality is that doing nothing only pushes the problem further down the road, while pollution continues to harm our communities, especially those near warehouses and major roadways. New York is already investing in the infrastructure to support clean trucks, and the ACT standard is a necessary step to protect public health, create good-paying jobs, and keep us moving toward a cleaner future. Now is not the time to backtrack.” Said Assembly Member Al Stirpe (AD-27).

"I remain deeply committed to confronting and reversing decades of environmental injustice in our communities. The Advanced Clean Trucks Standard is critical for reducing dangerous diesel emissions that have severely impacted our neighborhoods, contributing to high rates of respiratory illness and premature deaths among South Bronx residents. This initiative isn’t just environmental policy—it’s about protecting our children’s health, ensuring our families can breathe safely, and creating a healthier, more equitable future for all," said Assembly Member Amanda Septimo (AD-84).