New York aims to provide flexibility on clean truck rules

By Marie J. French | 01/30/2025 06:10 AM EST

Lawmakers raised concerns about the speed of implementing state rules on transitioning heavy-duty vehicles off fossil fuels.

ALBANY, New York — Democratic and Republican lawmakers raised concerns Tuesday about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s implementation of clean truck rules aimed at reducing transportation emissions.

The regulations are aligned with California’s rules. New York is considering delays in coordination with other states that have adopted these rules because of concerns from the trucking industry about the lack of electric charging infrastructure and available technology.

“We don’t want to be inflexible,” said interim Department of Environmental Conservation Commission Sean Mahar after a budget hearing Tuesday.

Advertisement

Why it matters: Plans to achieve New York’s emissions reduction targets rely in part on regulations the state has adopted based on California’s regulations on vehicles. That includes rules for trucks. Delays could further threaten New York’s progress in tackling one of the largest sources of emissions in the state.

GET FULL ACCESS