May 14, 2024

AZ state legislature attempts to stop California regulation on trucking fleets

The legislature, along with 16 other states, argue the regulation violates the Constitution's Commerce Clause.

AZSCI_309_supply_chain_autonomous_truck_hero Autonomous truck technology road-tested in Tucson
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The Arizona legislature is joining a coalition of 16 states to block a California regulation that targets trucking fleet owners and operators.

In their complaint, the coalition argues that California’s new regulations would force truckers to “retire their internal combustion trucks” if they want to enter California, effectively impacting the supply chain for all goods, slowing interstate transportation, and more. 

Their view is that because travel involves crossing state lines, source emissions should be governed by nationwide restrictions set by Congress–not individual states as each one has different emissions standards.

“It is a misconceived and nationwide policy executed without the blessing of Congress or the consent of elected leaders in affected States,” the complaint read.

California’s Advanced Clean Fleets regulation, which passed last year, is meant to “accelerate a large-scale reduction in tailpipe emissions focusing on zero-emissions medium- and heavy-duty vehicles,” according to the California Air Resources Board. The rule is expected to save $26.5 billion in statewide health benefits due to pollutant emissions as well as incur a net cost savings of $48 billion to fleets.

The regulation would affect medium and heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 8,500 pounds, off-road yard tractors, and light-duty mail and package delivery vehicles.

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