AQ_GEN_PIO_20230220_MISC_PressRls

Website: www.deq.nc.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncdeq
Twitter: @NCDEQ
1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601

Roy Cooper, Governor Elizabeth S. Biser, Secretary

Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Shawn Taylor Date: Feb. 20, 2023 Phone: [phone]
REMINDER: DEQ Holding Final Stakeholder Webinar to Discuss Advanced Clean Trucks Program
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a final webinar to discuss the
Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) program prior to the rules being presented to the Environmental Management
Commission.
At the wrap-up informational webinar held tomorrow, Feb. 21, DEQ staff will discuss the feedback from
stakeholders we heard earlier this year and review next steps in the rulemaking and outreach process.
Registration is not required. When the meeting begins, use the information below to join:
WHAT: DEQ Advanced Clean Trucks Final Stakeholder Webinar
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, 1-2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Webex
Join by computer
Join Link
Meeting number: 2436 094 7568
Password: n2sMn8KFyr7 (62766853 from phones)
Join by phone
1-415-655-0003
Access code: 2436 094 7568
Password: 62766853
On Oct. 25, 2022, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 271, charging DEQ with establishing the ACT
program. DEQ’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is developing draft ACT rules to present to the Environmental
Management Commission (EMC) later this year.
ACT will position North Carolina to benefit from the global market transition to commercial electric vans and
trucks by requiring manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission vehicles over time. ACT
would also provide flexibility, through credits, trading and other features, as segments of the market grow at
different speeds. The sales targets would drive investment in other zero-emission technologies, including
charging and fueling infrastructure.
By reducing vehicle emissions that impact all North Carolinians — especially low-income communities and
communities of color — ACT will encourage economic development and job growth, maximize consumer
choice for small businesses, and advance the state’s climate and environmental justice objectives.
As part of the rulemaking process, DEQ is collaborating with local governments, environmental justice
organizations, underserved communities, automobile manufacturers, motor fleet owners, electric utilities, the
North Carolina Utilities Commission, public health experts, environmental organizations and other interested
stakeholders in developing the proposed rule and the associated regulatory impact analysis.
Website: www.deq.nc.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncdeq
Twitter: @NCDEQ
1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601
DEQ hosted a series of webinars and in-person meetings earlier this year to meaningfully engage stakeholders
before the proposed ACT program is presented to the EMC for consideration. That included an informational
kickoff webinar on Jan. 9, 2023, three community meetings across the state, and two online input webinars to
solicit input from members of the public.
Residents and stakeholders may still provide comment by sending an email to [e-mail]
with subject line “Advanced Clean Trucks” before Feb. 24, 2023. Comments can also be left via voice mail by
calling 919-707-8726.
Following these stakeholder meetings, DAQ will draft proposed rules and a regulatory impact analysis to present
to the EMC’s Air Quality Committee during its May 2023 meeting. The draft rules will then be presented to the
full EMC during its July 2023 meeting. If the EMC approves proceeding with the rules, there will be a 60-day
public comment period and public hearing, expected during the summer of 2023.
The ACT program would apply to commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight
rating of at least 8,500 pounds, covering a variety of vehicles, including delivery vans, box trucks, garbage trucks
and semi tractors. ACT would not apply to consumer passenger vehicles or off-road vehicles such as farm
equipment and tractors.
First enacted by California, ACT rules have also been adopted in Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey
Massachusetts, and Vermont. ACT rules are under consideration in several other states across the nation.
More information about ACT is available on the Department’s website: deq.nc.gov/ACT.
Si necesita esta información en español por favor llame al 919-609-2189 o mande un correo a
[e-mail].
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