SC New York News

Senator O'Mara has voiced concerns over the upcoming Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule in his weekly column. The ACT regulation, set to begin in 2025, mandates a shift towards electric, zero-emission vehicles for medium- and heavy-duty trucks in New York State. This rule is part of the "Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act" adopted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation in 2019.

Senator O'Mara criticizes this mandate as another costly and impractical measure that could burden consumers, local economies, businesses, industries, and taxpayers. He argues that the technology and infrastructure required are not yet ready. He compares it to a previous all-electric school bus mandate which he also opposed.

The senator states that "Zero emission truck technology is still in its infancy," noting the high costs associated with these vehicles compared to diesel-powered ones. He warns that this could lead to increased expenses for municipalities and businesses, ultimately affecting taxpayers and consumers already facing inflation.

He further points out the lack of charging infrastructure needed for these vehicles, describing the situation as "putting the cart before the horse." Despite acknowledging clean air as vital, he stresses that current conditions make adopting such regulations unfeasible.

Senator O'Mara suggests that without proper analysis of costs versus benefits, such mandates may drive businesses to keep older trucks on roads longer or relocate fleets out of state. In response to these issues, he mentions legislation introduced by his conference to delay ACT's implementation while calling for a Task Force to develop a more responsible plan.