Concerns from Trucking Industry Leaders on ACT Regulations

In a strongly articulated letter addressed to several governors and a governor-elect, leaders from the trucking industry have voiced their worries regarding the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations.

The industry representatives warn that many within their sector risk losing everything if their concerns are not heard. They also fear that should President-elect Trump change his stance—having previously opposed ACT during his prior term—the impacts on the trucking industry could be disastrous.

This letter was co-signed by prominent figures, including Gregory Fulton (CEO, Colorado Motor Carriers Association), Kendra Hems (President, Trucking Association of New York), Kevin Weeks (Executive Director, Trucking Association of Massachusetts), and others from various state associations.

Letter to the Governors

The letter begins:

“Dear Governors Polis, Healey, Murphy, Lujan Grisham, Hochul, Kotek, McKee, Inslee, and Governor-Elect Ferguson:

“We, as a collective voice for the trucking sector in your states, are reaching out to express serious concerns regarding the upcoming implementation of the ACT rules, scheduled for 2025 and 2027.

“While we acknowledge the role of ACT in achieving greenhouse gas emissions targets, we want to emphasize our commitment to these goals. The trucking industry has a strong history of partnership with government initiatives aimed at reducing emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Since 1988, emissions from 60 trucks have been reduced to the equivalent of that of just one truck, showcasing our progress, largely due to collaborations with the EPA’s SmartWay program, which has successfully decreased significant pollutants.

Pushing for Alternative Solutions

“However, implementing the ACT on its current, expedited schedule jeopardizes these significant advancements and risks the sustainability of jobs and businesses in our industry. We advocate for a reconsideration of ACT’s timeline, urging states to adopt alternative methods, similar to the voluntary SmartWay initiative, which has been successful and is broadly supported.

“The landscape has shifted since ACT’s inception, with the prolonged recovery from COVID-19 impacting resources across the board. This regulatory pressure has already begun to affect dealership operations adversely before the regulations even take effect.

Infrastructure and Economic Challenges

“Across the United States, both economic and infrastructural deficiencies severely restrict the trucking sector. For instance, since the ACT was passed, New York has yet to establish a publicly available charging station for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Moreover, while federal funding for EV charging corridors is being sought, these projects will take years to finish, and we need them now.

Political Environment Shifts

“We are also observing a shift in the political landscape. The Trump administration previously opposed the ACT and has the potential to reverse regulations affecting vehicle emissions once more. The TCA is preparing to discuss emissions regulations should Trump return to office, raising concerns over the viability of ACT regulations moving forward.

Impact on the Trucking Economy

“Trucking forms the backbone of the U.S. economy, responsible for transporting over 71% of goods in 2017. Disruptions in this sector threaten essential services and critical supply chains that rely on trucks, affecting everything from healthcare to infrastructure projects. Numerous dealers are struggling to adapt, with many on the brink of closure due to these anticipated changes.

Call for Collaborative Solutions

“Ultimately, while the American trucking industry endorses the goals of the ACT, we emphasize that we are not against sustainable progress. We hope to collaborate in creating practical solutions that align with our states’ economic and environmental objectives.

“Once we secure the stability of operations for truck dealers and manufacturers, we can meaningfully advance toward increased electrification in our fleet. We are eager to engage in discussions on this urgent matter as time is running out.”