Statement: The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission approves rules that will clean up dirty diesel trucks to protect our air, climate and health

Environment Oregon

PORTLAND – The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) passed a package Wednesday of rules related to medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. 

The Advanced Clean Truck Rule requires manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, garbage trucks, delivery vans and buses to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles beginning in 2024. The rule establishes a tiered set of requirements based on the type of vehicle. Specifically, it requires manufacturers to increase their zero-emission truck sales to between 30 and 50% by 2030 and 40 and 75% by 2035. 

The Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus rule, requires manufacturers of medium- to heavy-duty vehicles to comply with tougher nitrogen oxides (smog) emission standards – reducing 75% from current standards by 2024 and reducing 90% from current standards by 2027. 

Celeste Meiffren-Swango, state director with Environment Oregon, issued the following statement in response:

“The passage of these clean truck rules is an important step forward for our air, our climate and our health. With these rules, Oregon joins California in reimagining the future of transportation, while prioritizing public health and our climate.”

“The Advanced Clean Truck Rule will help accelerate the market for zero-emission electric trucks in Oregon, while the pollution standards will ensure that new diesel trucks being sold into Oregon reduce their negative impact on our communities and our climate. These factors are critically important to building a cleaner, greener future here in Oregon.” 

“Thank you to the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission for passing these critical rules, our partners in the Clean Air, Healthy Communities Coalition for their steadfast leadership and to every Oregonian who made their voice heard along the way.”

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