LETTER TO LEGISLATORS CALLING FOR A STOP TO THE ACF ATTACK
“Undermining the regulation with an ill-timed hearing to consider an audit of the Advanced Clean Fleets rule opens the door for polluting interests to delay implementation of these lifesaving rules through lawsuits, challenges to California’s unique regulatory authority and other bad faith legal attacks. This in turn further delays the critical clean air and climate benefits that California’s communities are counting on and that California’s climate and clean transportation laws require.”
EDF/UCS Blog Calling for a Stop to the attach on the aCF
“[The ACF was] unanimously approved by CARB with clear support from communities and the legislature. Now, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee is considering asking the State Auditor to review the rule before it has even been fully enacted. The audit process is a critically important tool that the legislature has to ensure accountability and measure performance. This particular audit, however, would be premature at best and potentially deeply harmful to clean air efforts in California and nationally. This is political weaponization of the independent State Auditor’s Office to undermine a robust and open public process that resulted in the adoption of a significant health protective rule.”
CARB Resource for ACF impact on land ports
“The high concentration of drayage trucks operating at seaports and railyards results in higher levels of exposure of diesel toxics to nearby communities, so transitioning the drayage fleet to ZE operations as soon as possible accelerates the drayage ZEV fleet transition and related health benefits. Allowing additional combustion engines to be added after the end of 2023 and expanding the current combustion drayage fleet would only further delay much needed and overdue health benefits to these communities.”
Six Environmental Justice Groups Submit letter to CARB
On behalf of our coalition of business, science, labor, environmental, health, and environmental justice groups, like the Greenlining Institute, PowerSwitch Action, and Communities for a Better Environment, the ACF Advocacy Coalition appreciates the opportunity to comment. We’d like to respond to some of the claims made by others with respect to fracked gas vehicles and strongly support that the ACF rule must exclude fossil fuel, or fracked gas, vehicles.
final Electric trucks now coalition letter to CARB
“The immediate passage of the current proposal is the surest path of progress toward realizing significant benefits to:
Human health
Climate action
Economic
Environmental justice
We are thrilled to support the Air Resources Board in its swift passage, and to continue to collaborate on all the work ahead”
Electric Trucks Now Coalition Letter to CARB
“These comments explain the necessary revisions to the current ACF rule proposal, contained in Alternative 2, to better align with California’s targets and the benefits and feasibility of doing so. These comments also respond to the arguments for not recommending the stronger alternative despite its feasibility and clear benefits. Staff’s overly conservative “balance” runs counter to the facts on the ground – from the rapid adoption of MHD ZEVs and historic federal investments in electrification to the accelerating climate tragedies and continued examples of failing state air plans – all of which show more is possible and necessary. Incorporating our recommendations will deeply and positively impact public health, workers, and the economy.”
Business Group letter to CARB
“As business and industry organizations with a strong commitment to support climate, clean energy and clean transportation initiatives that will grow California’s economy and create good paying jobs, we write to express strong business support for adopting a more ambitious Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule that zeros out fossil fuel medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicle sales in 2036 and aligns with Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-201. An improved ACF rule is essential to meeting our state’s air quality and greenhouse gas reduction targets while advancing our clean energy economy.”
California Legislative Letter to CARB
“The Staff Report confirms that by shifting the proposed 100% sales requirement from 2040 to 2036, and strengthening purchase requirements for the most heavily-polluting Class 7-8 vehicles, the Accelerated Alternative delivers an additional reduction of 41 tons-per-day of NOx on top of the reductions already expected from staff’s proposal. To put this figure in context, the additional emission reductions just from strengthening this one rule would achieve NOx reductions equivalent to all of CARB’s proposed off-road equipment regulations, or roughly double the reductions achieved by the recently adopted Advanced Clean Cars II rule. Simply put, the most polluted air basins in California cannot afford to turn down these additional reductions, which equate to an additional $34 billion in health benefits.”
American Lung Association Letter to CARB
“As proposed, the rule features critical pathways to reducing health burdens throughout California, including in our most trucking-impacted communities. Notably, the rule includes a 100 percent standard for zero-emission truck sales in California, sets increasing standards for integration of zero-emission trucks into California fleets; establishes a useful life retirement schedule for drayage trucks as they are transitioned to zero-emission and other elements that will promote health and protect communities most impacted by trucking pollution burdens today. We encourage CARB to build upon this foundation and strengthen the final rule to maximize health benefits.”
Bluegreen Alliance, Teamsters and California Labor Coalition Letters to CARB
“To address the goals and needs described above, our partners jointly ask that all fleets of more than 10 vehicles, not 50, be regulated in the high priority fleets section of the rule. The high priority fleets mechanism should transition work trucks, day cabs, and sleeper cabs to zero emission vehicles faster, beginning the ramp for each of these groups years earlier. All trucks sold in CA should be ZE by 2036, not 2040. These changes expand the efficacy of the rule, achieve goals set out in ACT resolution and EO regarding drayage trucks, eliminate deadly toxic pollution from EJ neighborhoods, and critically, reduce driver exploitation.”
Union of concerned scientists letter to CARB
To meet the demands of the climate and air quality crises, we urge CARB to accelerate the rollout of electric trucks and buses in California. Advancing the timeline to require 100 percent zero-emissions sales by four years compared to the staff proposal (from 2040 to 2036) could result in an increase of more than 130,000 medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles on California roads and highways in 2050. The additional emissions reductions from these vehicles would translate to an increase in cumulative net societal benefits of nearly $10 billion compared to the current staff proposal.
Independent report shows total net benefits of stronger ACF
“The Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) standard under development by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will provide massive benefits for communities and fleets throughout California. A recent independent report by Environment Research Management (ERM) finds that accelerating the ACF rule’s 100% zero-emission trucks sales target from 2040 to 2036 will result in 130,000 more clean trucks on the road in 2050. The report, commissioned by the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), finds this improvement will produce additional cumulative (2022 to 2050) net societal benefits of $9.9 billion thanks to reduced climate pollution, improved air quality, higher utility net revenue, and fleet savings.”
EMA LAWSUIT SIGN-ON LETTER TO MEMBERS
“This lawsuit is a thinly-veiled delay tactic designed to slow the transition to cleaner trucks, which will in turn slow the transition to cleaner air in our communities. We are disturbed that EMA, in your name, is attacking a rule that will save approximately 2,480 people from premature death, and prevent 2,010 hospitalizations and emergency room visits by 2050, creating $23.4 billion in health benefits – prosperity that would be shared across hard-hit California communities.”
Letter to CARB
Community, environmental justice, environmental, and health organizations write to request that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff make some key, targeted amendments to the current draft Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, specifically to the High-Priority Fleets section. We believe that these surgical amendments are practical, feasible, and will lead to greater adoption of zero-emission trucks sooner while still allowing for flexibility in the implementation of the rule.
10,000 Comments DELIVEReD TO CARB
Grassroots, community engagement by Earthjustice, Sierra Club, NRDC and Dream Corps resulted in over 10,000 Californians demanding that the California Air Resources board act quickly to adopt an Advanced Clean Fleet standard that sets an aggressive and achievable target of 100% electric truck sales by 2035.
End Driver Misclassification
California made history last year by adopting the world’s first electric truck manufacturing standard that will alleviate dangerous pollution and save lives in what physicians call “diesel death zones.” The new rule, taking effect in 2024, will require more than half of trucks sold in the state to be electric by 2036.
Infrastructure RECCOMENDATIONS Letter to CARB
Hundreds of millions of dollars in approved investments stand ready; money that must be spent before the ACF rule comes into effect and only represents the first tranche of spending. Meanwhile, new commercial rates are either approved or pending that will further save fleets money and better integrate M/HD EVs onto the grid. State agencies such as GO-Biz are working to facilitate the multi-agency and stakeholder Zero-Emission Vehicle Market Development Strategy and improve infrastructure permitting and the CEC is assessing infrastructure needs and giving us the plan of what is needed—all with robust engagement from a wide range of experts and stakeholders… A strong ACF rule will remove uncertainty and send a clear regulatory signal to other agencies and stakeholders. Aggressive zero-emission truck targets will further drive infrastructure planning and investment.
POLICY RECOMMENDATION LETTER TO CARB
These comments on the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) Rule are submitted on behalf of the above groups, all committed to pursuing a zero-emission transportation future in order to protect communities, meet long-overdue commitments for clean air, reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help avoid catastrophic climate change, and stimulate economic recovery and the creation of high-road jobs in the State. These comments outline the rule changes that are necessary to ensure the rule will achieve the various commitments the Governor and California Air Resources Board have made to protect communities and transition polluting truck fleets to zero-emissions.
Business Letter to CARB
March 3, 2021
“A strong ACF standard will stimulate important economic development in California, drive innovation and job growth, and create the market structures to advance the state’s standing as a manufacturing and business nexus in the global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and a clean energy economy. An ambitious ACF standard will transition California’s medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to zero-emission technologies by 2045 and transition the state’s drayage fleet to zero-emission by 2035, as well as help to meet our state’s broader air quality and climate goals. In short, the ACF standard holds enormous promise to substantially reduce the transportation sector’s greenhouse gas emissions and toxic air pollution that disproportionately harms frontline communities while ensuring California capitalizes on the clean energy economy of the future.”
Health Letter to CARB
February 22, 2021
DIVERSE STAKEHOLDER LETTER TO CARB
January 5, 2021
“The ACF rulemaking process represents a significant opportunity to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, stimulate local economies, and advance a holistic strategy that prioritizes frontline communities and benefits truck drivers. Eliminating emissions to achieve environmental justice depends on the simultaneous advancement of racial and economic justice.”
Legislator Letter TO CARB
May 7, 2020
“Public workshops for the ACT rule first began in 2016, since then numerous companies and manufacturers have taken steps towards truck electrification... But a strong standard is needed to take the electric truck market from one of pilot projects and press releases to one that can support a wide-scale shift from combustion technologies to electric technologies.”
BLOG BY THE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
APRIL 29, 2020
Yesterday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released the final draft of the Advanced Clean Trucks standard, a policy that will require truck manufacturers to make electric trucks. The proposal’s release kicks off a 30-day public comment period leading up to a Board vote on June 25-26.Under this policy, a given percentage of truck manufacturers’ sales in California must be battery or fuel cell electric vehicles beginning in model year 2024. The policy applies to truck manufacturers that sell more than 500 trucks annually in the state. Ten companies currently meet this threshold (brands in parentheses): Daimler (Freightliner, Thomas Built Buses, Western Star), Paccar (Kenworth, Peterbilt), Navistar (International, IC Bus), Ford, GM (Chevrolet, GMC), Fiat Chrysler (Dodge), Nissan, Isuzu, Toyota (Hino), and Volvo Group.
Blog by the Natural Resources Defense Council
The updated proposal is a positive change from the previous version—which you can read about here—and clearly shows that staff at the California Air Resources Board are listening to the experts instead of special interests. The updated rule would roughly double the original proposal's electric truck sales requirements—which means more electric trucks—and cleaner air—sooner.
But most important are the improved health benefits—the new proposal cuts toxic air pollution substantially, increasing statewide health benefits by an estimated $3.2 billion to $8.9 billion from 2020 to 2040. The potential climate benefits of reducing more greenhouse gas emissions also increased by nearly $1 billion to reach $1.7 billion by 2040. Not only that, but the new proposal is expected to create more jobs and increase private investments faster.
“Electric Trucks Now” Coalition Press Release
April 28, 2020
As evidence links air pollution from trucks and vulnerability to COVID-19, experts say updated rule is step in right direction, but health risks will remain high in “diesel death zones.”
In contrast to groups working to protect their health by supporting a strong rule, truck manufacturers are taking advantage of the health crisis and lobbying leaders in Sacramento to stall adoption of the rule, which would not go into effect until 2024. Stalling regulations is a direct threat to the health of communities that experience chronic exposure to health harming pollution.
“Electric Trucks Now” Coalition Press Release
March 17, 2020
A letter signed by environmental, labor, health and environmental justice groups breaks down the math for how far and how fast the California Air Resources Board (CARB) needs to go in strengthening the nation’s first electric truck rule for the agency to meet its own stated goals. A strengthened electric truck rule would bring significant relief to Californians living in so-called “diesel death zones” that harm their health. The data shows that there were significant shortfalls in the initial draft electric truck proposal, and the letter makes concrete recommendations for how CARB can align the final rule with its truck electrification targets.
“ELECTRIC TRUCKS NOW” Coalition PRESS RELEASE
December 9, 2019
More than 19,000 comments from the public as well as health, environmental justice, labor and technical experts have been submitted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) asking them to strengthen the nation’s first electric truck manufacturing standard. Today is the last day in the public comment period and a critical hearing on the rule will be held this Thursday, Dec. 12, in Sacramento.
LOS ANGELES TIMES EDITORIAL
November 27, 2019
“Heavy-duty vehicles in particular are responsible for a disproportionate share of the pollution. Trucks and buses make up just 7% of the vehicles on the road in California, but 20% of the greenhouse gases and 40% of the smog-forming emissions. Diesel exhaust is a toxic air contaminant, and heavily used truck corridors can be so dirty and unhealthy that physicians call them ‘diesel death zones.’”
Blog by the Environmental Health Coalition
November 26, 2019
“Cleaner air, faster, will be good for the entire state of California – and for our ailing planet, in desperate need of reduced greenhouse gas assaults. It will be especially beneficial for Julie Corrales, her children, and other residents of communities most impacted by diesel pollution in California.”
Blog by Kathryn Phillips, Sierra Club
November 24, 2019
“They don’t do what they promised you they would do. They let you down. They act like something is wrong with you for expecting better. That’s kind of how it’s been with the California Air Resources Board staff lately when we talk to them about trucks.”
Official CARB Comments BY THE American Lung Association
November 22, 2019
Blog by Patricio Portillo, NRDC
November 20, 2019
“California’s newly proposed Advanced Clean Truck Rule is big. $11 billion in potential economic and public health savings big. But is it big enough to save lives and help the state reach its climate action goals?”
Official CARB Comments BY 350 Bay Area Action
November 19, 2019
Blog by Katherine Garcia, Sierra Club
November 13, 2019
Delivery, refuse and drayage trucks in California are turning heads. Why? Because residents are beginning to spot all-electric versions of these commercial vehicles on our roads. These new medium- and heavy-duty trucks are zero-emission vehicles, which means they don’t spew diesel or methane gas emissions. Electric trucks are key to improving air quality and reducing climate pollution from the transportation sector…
Official CARB Comments BY the Union of Concerned Scientists
November 12, 2019
Blog by Patricio Portillo. Natural Resources Defense Council
October 28, 2019
Five years ago, electric trucks were a new technology entering the market. Truck makers and fleets alike were neither offering electric truck options nor buying them. But pressure to tackle air pollution, tremendous fuel and maintenance cost savings, along with falling purchase prices have turned electric trucks into an increasingly smart business decision…
Blog by Jimmy O’Dea, Union of Concerned Scientists
October 25, 2019
Today marks the opening of a 45-day public comment period on a proposal (“Advanced Clean Trucks”) that would require truck manufacturers to sell electric vehicles in California. The proposal is modeled after the state’s policy requiring carmakers to sell electric vehicles in the state, a major reason California has a disproportionate number of the country’s electric passenger vehicles…
Article by Emily C. Dooley IN Bloomberg Environment
October 24, 2019
“This rule can create some type of monumental change,” said Andrea Vidaurre, a policy analyst with the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice. “We are concerned that they are being incredibly unambitious.”
“ELECTRIC TRUCKS NOW” Coalition PRESS RELEASE
October 17, 2019
As California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) considers the nation’s first electric truck manufacturing standard, more than 8,000 residents are asking the state to do more to cut heavy-duty truck pollution, which is responsible for harming health and shortening lives in so-called “diesel death zones” across the state.