On Earth Day Lesniak Calls For Clean Trucks Regulations On Earth Day

Former Senator Raymond Lesniak, sponsor of New Jersey’s Clean Air Act, called on the public to support DEP’s proposed zero emissions for commercial trucks regulation.

Lesniak explained, “This new rule would affect both manufacturers and owners of commercial fleets. Manufacturers would be required to participate in a credit/deficit program to increase the sales of the zero emission vehicles. With a new accounting system implemented, manufacturers will be required to offset emissions from conventional trucks by the sale of zero emission vehicles. Owners of commercial fleets, on the other hand would be required to start purchasing and using the new zero emission vehicles . Modeled after California’s Advanced Clean Truck Program, New Jersey would be second to take leadership in the effort to curb noxious emissions from our air, which is poisoning our residents and is particularly harmful to children in urban communities.” “There are 6,000 mid- and heavy-duty trucks that service Port Elizabeth, Newark and Bayonne that do not comply with emissions standards and are grandfathered in under old, less strict standards, said Lesniak, “These dirty trucks are wreaking havoc on our air quality, and harming the health of our children, our seniors and all area residents. This is putting everyone in our state at risk, but it’s placing disproportionate negative health effects on communities of color and low socio-economic status.

Lesniak called on residents to submit comments to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection about why this clean truck rule should be adopted.