In 2022, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) will consider new rules to help reduce harmful emissions of greenhouse gas pollutants and other emissions that hurt Colorado’s air quality and create smog and ozone. Pollution from cars and trucks is the largest contributor to these harmful emissions and we must cut them to clean our air and improve the health of all Coloradans.
What will the rules do?
There are 2 parts to the rule:
1) The ACT rule would require manufacturers of trucks, buses, and vans to ensure that a certain percentage of their new sales are zero-emission vehicles by a specific date, producing zero-emission trucks beginning in 2024 and increasing production targets through 2035. It requires that sales of medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) reach 30-50% by 2030, 40-75% by 2035, and 100% by 2045.
2) The Low NOx Heavy-Duty Omnibus Regulation, which will require that internal combustion engine trucks (those not zero-emission) must burn cleaner.
By passing these rules, Colorado would join several other states – making up a large percentage of the truck market in the United States.
Why is this important for Colorado?
The transportation sector is the largest emitter of harmful pollutants into our air, exacerbating climate change, creating smog and ozone and impacting the health of Coloradans, especially those who live and work near high traffic areas, shipping warehouses and railyards, which are mostly low income people and communities of color.
NOx is a precursor to smog, which can cause and make worse numerous respiratory and other health problems. These are particularly acute for children and senior citizens and for people living in front line communities – where highways divide neighborhoods and warehouses and associated truck traffic increases the health risks.
Adoption of these rules will go a long way toward the state meeting Gov. Polis’ Greenhouse Gas Emission roadmap, which calls for emission reductions in the utility, transportation and industrial sectors.
How will this work?
The rules put the largest burden on manufacturers of MHDV’s, requiring them to sell more zero-emission trucks and to make sure fossil fuel powered trucks burn cleaner. Over time, this will ensure that dirty trucks will be replaced by lower or zero emission trucks. The rule doesn’t require anyone to buy anything, but will increase the range of choices available for those who do purchase new trucks for delivery in our cities and suburbs and longer-haul trips.
How you can help
There will be several opportunities to make your voice heard. Check out these resources to learn more about each part of the clean trucking strategy and to become involved:
- Colorado Clean Air
- Colorado Clean Trucking Strategy Website (lists key AQCC decision dates, including public comment and more)
- Sierra Club ACT/NOx Omnibus Rule Adoption Toolkit
Contact Katara Burrola at Mi Familia Vota to learn more about the ACT Equity Coalition and how you can get involved: katarab@mifamiliavota.org