Demand Faster Action for Clean Trucks in Colorado

Clean air is a right for all, not just a privileged few.  In Colorado, the fight for clean air continues as a coalition of environmental justice, conservation groups, and local governments fight against unnecessary delay in a rulemaking that would alleviate truck pollution and lay clear steps in transitioning to electric trucks. Truck pollution disproportionately affects Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities in Colorado. The State had planned on considering rules to reduce pollution from trucks this summer, but the Polis administration recently announced plans to delay these rules. This delay is unacceptable.  We need your help to urge the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission to promptly adopt rules to transition to electric trucks and clean up truck pollution. 

Colorado should adopt the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule, which requires manufacturers to sell a certain, and increasing, percentage of electric trucks. It should also adopt a Low-Nitrogen Oxides Omnibus (Low-NOx) rule which would require fossil fueled powered trucks to burn cleaner. These rules would clean up tailpipe pollution from medium and heavy-duty trucks, delivery vans, buses, and school buses—benefiting public health and fighting climate change at the same time.  

Colorado has already adopted zero and low emissions rules for cars and light trucks, which is a great start. But medium and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, contributing 22% of on-road greenhouse gas emissions while making up only 10% of Colorado vehicles. Not to mention, they contribute to emissions that lead to high ozone levels. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) have a serious impact on air quality and human health. Communities along major highways and those near warehouses and railyards bear the brunt of these high emission levels due to high truck traffic.  

Delaying the adoption of these clean truck solutions invalidates environmental justice needed for disproportionately impacted communities harmed by the cumulative impacts of environmental racism and pollution.  

Hold the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission’s feet to the fire by demanding it promptly adopt rules to deal with truck pollution and lay out clear steps in transitioning to electric trucks!