In the last two years of his second term as NC Governor, Roy Cooper is not just running out the clock. He and his Administration are pushing hard to leave a legacy of solid progress on dealing with the climate crisis. Cases in point: the Clean Transportation Plan, and the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. Both efforts were in the news last week as public comment and meeting processes continued to advance. 

The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) last week wrapped up a series of public meetings (in-person and online) to explain and discuss the proposed Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule. ACT is based on standards developed by the state of California under its federal Clean Air Act authority, and is designed to drive the transition of heavy and medium trucks, vans, and buses sold in North Carolina from diesel-fueled to electric.

ACT “would require vehicle manufacturers to sell an increasing number of electric trucks and buses starting in four years. Sales targets would apply to all vehicles over 6,000 pounds, from larger pickups and minivans to tractor-trailers and dump trucks. The rules would not apply to public transit buses, which are covered under other rules, but they would apply to school and private buses.” 

DEQ’s goal is to hold formal public hearings on the rule this fall, and adopt a final rule by the end of calendar year 2023. CIB covered the beginning of this process in January. 

Electrification of vehicle sales is just one part of the Cooper Administration’s Clean Transportation Plan, which also addresses needs like expanding the network of public electric-vehicle charging locations and other investments in clean transportation infrastructure. The NC Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has been holding virtual information sessions on the draft plan, and will hold its final session February 28. A public comment period will follow March 1-15. 

View Information on the plan and its review and input process here.