Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Environment Committee
                         JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
    Bill No.: SB-931
               AN ACT CONCERNING EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR MEDIUM AND HEAVY
        Title: DUTY VEHICLES.
 Vote Date: 3/12/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
   PH Date: 3/3/2021
    File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Rep. David Michel, 146th Dist.
Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky, 85th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
Connecticut is in a busy travel corridor on the east coast and records some of the highest
ozone levels. The mobile sources account for 67% of nitrogen oxide emissions, of that 40%
are from heavy duty vehicles. Ozone is a harmful air pollutant that contributes to poor air
quality and exacerbates chronic and acute respiratory problems.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intent in January 2020 to adopt
new heavy-duty truck emission standards by 2027. In June 2020, federal regulations had
been put on hold indefinitely. In between January and June 2020, the California are
Resource Board (CARB) approved new emission standards for engine manufacturers to
begin in 2024. In the absence of federal rules, this is necessary step to public health and
reduce climate change impact.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Katie Dykes, Commissioner, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
On July 14, 2020 Governor Lamont signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with 15
states to work collectively to reduce emissions from medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The
MOU goal is to have 100% of new medium and heavy-duty vehicle sales are Zero Emission
Vehicles by 2050, with an interim goal of 30% by 2030.
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) projects by 2045, heavy duty
vehicles will account for 66% of Nitrous Oxide emissions, a significant component of ozone
formation. New Jersey and Massachusetts are moving to advance the standards of zero
emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles to provide the initiative of a sustainable market.
DEEP continues to evaluate the potential cost impact of this proposed legislation. The
upfront costs of purchasing electric vehicles is higher than diesels, the total cost of ownership
is attractive due to fuel cost savings and 50% saving on vehicle maintenance. DEEP expects
the cost of electric vehicles to decline in the future. Over the last decade, according to
Bloomberg New Energy Finance, costs have decreased 89%.
The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI-P) in agreement with Massachusetts and Rhode
Island, can provide critical investments to increase the number of medium and heavy-duty
vehicle focused on communities overburdened by air pollution. Connecticut will not meet air
quality and climate change needs without changes to the medium and heavy-duty vehicle
sector.
Connecticut needs to adopt regulations and standards in a near term manner that are
consistent with regional partners and cannot rely on the EPA. Public health is important,
standards are important, those adopted by California meet the requirements of both, in a
timely manner. Connecticut need to address air quality and climate goals to protect the most
vulnerable citizens. DEEP needs to be provided the tools to act to meet the standards set
forth.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Ruth Canovi, Director, Advocacy, American Lung Association in Connecticut
American Lung Association in Connecticut supports the multi-state MOU to pursue a shift to
zero emission trucking. The shift to zero emissions could yield significant health benefits to
Connecticut's residents.
Nitrous Oxide emissions contribute to air pollution. These pollutants are known to cause and
exacerbate acute and chronic health conditions, to include asthma, lung cancer and heart
attacks. Often lower income communities and communities of color are disproportionately
affected by the burden of poor air quality.
The American Lung Association in Connecticut urges support in following the standards set
forth by California, as the outcomes of these programs are well documented and provide for
major reductions in in pollutants.
Laura Bozzi, PhD, Director of Programs, Yale Center on Climate Change and Health
Connecticut has the occasion to move forward by evaluating and adopting the standards for
new medium and heavy-duty trucks. The protection of human health and environment needs
to be addressed with ozone pollution concerns.
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Mary Jane M Williams PhD., RN, Senior Policy Advisor, Connecticut Nurses
Association
Every county in Connecticut received a failing grade for air quality according to the 2020
State of the Air Report by the American Lung Association. Children, elderly, those with
chronic conditions, and low-income communities are vulnerable to air pollution.
Transportation emission cleanup is a "significant step" in protection of public health.
Tom Swan, Executive Director, Connecticut Citizen Action Group
The Connecticut Citizen Action Group urges the Environment Committee to reject the
rationale offered by the opponents of this legislation. Similar arguments were used when
earlier proposals were passed. Transportation markets are moving forward with
electrification, General Motors and Ford have announced this plan moving forward for
Europe. The sky is not falling in response to these announcements. Reduced costs for fuel
and maintenance show the cost differential is minimal.
John Bougal
SB931 proposes that Connecticut decide of the environment, energy and air quality by
adopting the California's standards for new medium and heavy-duty vehicles and authorizes
DEEP to adopt regulations to benefit Connecticut's move to cleaner and less polluting
vehicles.
The Environment Committee received in excess of thirty additional testimonials in support of
SB931.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Ashley Zane, Government Affairs Associate, Connecticut Industry and Business
Association
The Connecticut Industry and Business Association (CBIA) cautions adoption of California's
standards on new medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Purchasing vehicles with this new
standard will put Connecticut's small and medium businesses at a competitive disadvantage
and possible increase in product costs. Businesses may opt to buy medium and heavy-duty
trucks out of state, could lead to revenue lost by the state of Connecticut.
CBIA recommends looking at other programs, including the Cleaner Truck Initiative under
development by the EPA. CBIA urges legislators to "conduct due diligence" with ensuring
Connecticut remains competitive to other states. The trucking industry supports thousands of
jobs and contributes billions of dollars to Connecticut's economy.
Joe Sculley, President, Motor Transport Association of Connecticut
SB931 proposes Connecticut adopt emission standards set forth by California Air Resources
Board (CARB) instead of the EPA. There are two items to this discussion: 1) Connecticut's
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standards for the diesel engines would be more stringent than the EPA. 2) Connecticut
would be requiring an increasing percentage of electric truck sales.
(Some) Key Reasons the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut (MTAC) Opposes
      It will put Connecticut businesses at a competitive disadvantage by mandating that
       they purchase trucks with unproven technology, and these trucks will be more
       expensive than what their competitors in other states will purchase.
      According to DEEPs 2017 GHG emissions inventory (most recent), only 2% of CT's
       GHG emissions from mobile sources come from diesel. 97% of heavy-duty trucks are
       powered by diesel. Therefore, I submit that trucks are not the cause of Connecticuts
       air quality issues.
      Trucks sold in other states that do not meet these extra stringent standards crafted by
       California will continue to drive through Connecticut anyway. Connecticut can not turn
       them away at the border.
Mr. Sculley states the consequences of SB931:
      Jobs and truck sales pushed out of state
      Businesses will operate older, dirtier trucks longer, in order to avoid purchasing more
       expensive trucks with unproven technology that their competitors in other states will
       not have to purchase.
      Businesses will buy dirtier used trucks instead of new trucks, because CT would
       effectively be banning the sale of EPA-compliant trucks in Connecticut.
Michael S. Giaimo, Director, Northeast Region, American Petroleum Institute
The American Petroleum Institute (API) encourages Connecticut to continue to administer
their own local rules, not California's. What is best for California, may not be best for
Connecticut. The transportations systems between California and Connecticut are
substantially different and vary from time to time. DEEP and the Environment Committee are
in the best position to determine what is correct, not another state's air resource board.
API welcomes the discussion on viable solutions on ensuring reliable and affordable energy
supplies and technologies developed by the free market to help with the best possible
solution.
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Christian A. Herb, President, Connecticut Energy Marketers Association
The President, Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA) employs 13,000 and sell
1.6 billion gallons of gas and 400 million gallons of heating fuel annually. SB931 puts
Connecticut's small businesses at a competitive disadvantage against out of state
businesses.
Connecticut is better with EPA regulatory framework for the sale of new medium and heavy-
duty trucks. Mr. Herb states the advantages are:
   1. It creates a level playing field in a very competitive interstate market where lower cost
      states in our area can quickly take business from Connecticut based
   2. operators, leaving us with higher emissions form those out of state operators and
   3. The only way to effect measurable emissions reductions is to do it on a national and
      global level. Connecticuts contribution to NOx and other emissions are so low that it
      will have no impact on climate.
Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut, Inc.
The Connecticut Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut (HBRA-CT) has
nearly 800 business members statewide.
SB931 proposes to study the impacts of adopting California's standards for new medium and
heavy-duty trucks. SB931 allows the DEEP Commissioner to arbitrarily adopt regulations to
impose regulations on the type of vehicle sold in Connecticut.
Increased costs to purchase and maintain medium duty trucks for home contractors for day to
day operations negatively affects the ability to keep costs down. The affordability of
equipment contributes to Connecticut's housing affordability problem.
Reported by: Steve Smith                                Date: 03/26/2021
                                                                          Page 5 of 5 SB-931
Statutes affected: 
Raised Bill: 
ENV Joint Favorable: 
File No. 218: 