Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371
FEBRUARY 6, 2024 – Today, 75 mayors – including the mayors of Boulder, Erie, Golden, Longmont, Nederland and Ridgway in Colorado – sent a letter urging the Biden administration to finalize the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) strongest proposed rule for the GHG Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3 rule (HDV rule).
The HDV rule would accelerate the transition from large internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs), reducing carbon pollution, improving air quality and increasing national security by ending oil’s monopoly on transportation.
The transition to clean heavy-duty vehicles, like trucks and buses, is already well underway, largely due to the increased funding for electric transit and charging infrastructure included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). With support from these historic federal programs, school districts are investing in electric school buses, city and state fleets are transitioning to EVs and retail giants are deploying electric freight and delivery trucks nationwide. The Biden administration has the crucial opportunity to maintain this exciting momentum by supporting the EPA’s strongest proposed HDV emissions standard. The 75 mayors supporting the adoption of this rule see its potential to benefit the communities they are responsible for and our nation as a whole, and urge the Biden administration to follow suit.
“Since 2019, Golden has pioneered transportation electrification in Colorado,” said Golden Mayor Laura Weinberg. “We have committed to electrifying 100% of city vehicles by 2030, and 100% of all transportation by 2050. We have installed public chargers and enacted policy that requires all new multi-family dwellings and commercial buildings to be built with Level-2 chargers. We have supported biking incentives and rideshare programs in the wider Denver metropolitan area. Supporting the EPA’s strongest proposed Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Standard is a natural continuation of our efforts to reduce air pollution and create a healthy, fully-electric transportation sector for the residents of Golden.”
Colorado has received over $15 million in funding for 57 electric school buses as a part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program.
In addition to school districts receiving federal funding, in 2022, the Colorado Legislature adopted Senate Bill 22-193, creating the Colorado Electric School Bus Grant Program. This program allocated a historic $65 million for school districts to purchase new electric school buses, install charging infrastructure, and invest in associated electrical upgrades. In August of 2023, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) announced the first round awards, with 13 projects using combined state and federal funding of over $24 million.
The mayors’ letter follows another letter sent to the White House by over 80 corporate leaders in November, advocating for the same strong standard to be adopted in order to promote economic development, protect American national security and solidify our country’s growing commitment to a clean transportation future.
“Heavy-duty trucks create a disproportionate amount of emissions, particularly in our most marginalized communities, so we must enact the strongest possible emissions standards,” said Electrification Coalition Executive Director Ben Prochazka. “In doing so, we can accelerate freight electrification and finally end oil’s monopoly on freight vehicles. As the world shifts to electric transportation, we cannot fall behind other countries – the time is now. We welcome Colorado’s local leadership joining this effort to set strong standards, protect public health, and reduce our dependence on oil.”
“We have a historic opportunity to accelerate progress towards decarbonizing our transportation sector by supporting the strongest proposed emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles yet,” said Kate Wright, Climate Mayors’ Executive Director. “We thank the Biden administration for considering our request to help support the heavy-duty vehicle industry in meeting its zero-emissions commitment.”
Read the full letter and recommendations therein.
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About Electrification Coalition:
The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org
About Climate Mayors:
Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network that has mobilized more than 750 U.S. mayors since 2014, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities. representing 46 states and nearly 60 million Americans, the climate mayors coalition reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, please visit our website and follow Climate Mayors on X and LinkedIn. For media inquiries please contact climatemayors@fgsglobal.com.