One particular family, the Ortizes—a family of six who have lived in Bloomington for more than 10 years and own several horses, goats, and more—are local business owners of Charritos de Bloomington. They did not wish to move and leave their home behind, but have been forced to because of a project that would increase overall exposure to emissions in the area. In the process, they have not received support to relocate and have been directly harassed by the developer. This is just one example of the many instances of communities being displaced and erased in the Inland Empire by warehouse development, which brings increased diesel exposure to those left living next to these projects.
Why communities advocate for clean truck standards
In response to these disparities, frontline communities and EJ groups have mobilized to advocate for cleaner air through policies like the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT), Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF), and Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus (HDO) standards. The ACT and ACF regulations aim to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), setting zero-emission vehicle manufacturing targets as a percentage of total sales starting in model year 2027 and aiming for 100 percent of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales to be zero emissions by 2036. HDO requires heavy-duty trucks to reduce their NOx emissions by 90 percent by 2027. Enforcing these clean truck standards is critical to mitigating the health impacts of freight pollution and improving air quality in affected communities.
For example, the ACT rule will result in $8.9 billion in health savings from 2020 to 2040; the ACF rule is expected to bring $26.5 billion in statewide health benefits; and the HDO will help secure $36 billion in statewide health benefits.
The urgency of transitioning to zero-emission vehicles
The urgency to transition to zero-emission vehicles is clear: Communities are tired of putting their health on the line every time they step outside. Accelerating the transition to ZEVs is critical for many frontline communities, as well as port workers and truck drivers, but it’s also a win for the freight industry because charging vehicles is cheaper than using diesel gas in the long run, and there is less maintenance required.
While adoption of clean truck standards like ACT, ACF, and HDO have been established, their effective enforcement, widespread adoption, and implementation are necessary to actually reduce harmful emissions. This is why advocates mobilized on August 14, 2024, in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granting California a waiver to enforce its ACF rule. Advocates and community leaders must continue to pressure policymakers to prioritize these clean truck standards, including supporting initiatives that lower the barriers to ZEV adoption, such as investments in charging infrastructure. By doing so, we can ensure that all communities benefit from cleaner air and improved public health.
A call to action
In this critical moment, we cannot afford to delay. Every day that passes without significant action perpetuates the health disparities caused by freight pollution. Let us stand together to advocate for a future where clean air is a right, not a privilege, and where every community can thrive in a sustainable environment.
By transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and supporting clean air policies, we can protect the health of our communities, saving money and our environment. The time to act is now.
