Heroes on the Highway PAC Gather Over 2,000 Signatures Opposed to DEQ’s California Trucking Regulations
MEDIA RELEASE
June 27, 2024
Contact: info@hwyheroes.org
ALBANY, Ore. – This week, Heroes on the Highway PAC submitted a letter to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality urging them to reject their proposal to adopt draconian California emission standards for Oregon truckers. The letter was signed by over 2,000 Oregonians who voiced concerns about the regulations.
Federal law allows the California Air Resource Board to adopt stricter emission standards than any other state in the nation. Other states can opt into their standards but must be identical. The DEQ closed the comment period for the public to submit testimony on Monday.
The DEQ new rules would adopt California’s amendment to heavy-duty engine and vehicle exhaust emission standards to maintain identicality with California’s rules and would require manufacturers to meet strict emission standards beginning with 2025 model-year trucks. The DEQ dashboard for these rules can be found here.
“These rules spell disaster for Oregon’s trucking industry,” said Shelly Boshart Davis, founder of Heroes on the Highway PAC. “Oregon’s truckers are getting abused from every direction: they being unconstitutionally overtaxed, they pay the most in the nation just for the pleasure of keeping our economy moving and our grocery stores stocked, and they took on a huge tax increase from the last transportation package just to have the state break their promises on delivering Rose Quarter and I-205 improvements. EV technology for heavy trucks is just not ready. It’s too expensive, too unreliable, and we are miles away from the charging infrastructure that these new rules would require. Make no mistake, if DEQ passes these rules, Oregonians will pay more at the grocery store, and for their daily necessities. I join the over 2,000 standing up to say no way. I urge the DEQ to listen to Oregonians.”
The letter is below.
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Heroes on the Highway is an initiative to advocate for those who keep our economy moving. You can learn more at hwyheroes.org.
