Clean Freight Coalition Urges Congress to Block California’s Trucking Regulations
The Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) has called on Congressional and Senate leadership to reject California’s stringent trucking regulations, arguing that they threaten the nation’s supply chain, increase costs, and create regulatory instability. In a joint letter addressed to Speaker Mike Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Majority Leader John Thune, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the CFC urged lawmakers to issue a joint resolution of disapproval against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant California waivers for its Low NOx and Advanced Clean Truck rules.
The coalition, which represents key stakeholders in the commercial vehicle industry, emphasized that these mandates have led to skyrocketing costs for heavy-duty vehicles and engines, further exacerbating inflation and supply chain disruptions. They argue that California’s one-size-fits-all regulations impose unrealistic Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) targets and excessive compliance burdens on trucking companies, particularly those operating across multiple states.
By urging Congress to exercise its Congressional Review Act (CRA) authority, the CFC hopes to prevent fragmented state regulations that could undermine the efficiency of nationwide freight transportation. The letter underscores the coalition’s commitment to a balanced approach that advances cleaner trucks while maintaining affordability and supply chain reliability.
Text of the letter is below; download the PDF version:
Speaker Johnson, Minority Leader Jeffries, Majority Leader Thune, and Minority Leader Schumer:
The members of the Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) comprise leaders of the commercial vehicle industry that have a long history of working together to support the needs of motor carriers, drivers, dealers and those who provide important services for fleets and bus passengers. The Clean Freight Coalition was formed by its members for the purpose of advocating for sound public policies which promote a transition to cleaner trucks that is sustainable, affordable, and protects the nation’s supply chain. All these stakeholders have worked tirelessly to support the movement of our nation’s freight and passengers, while simultaneously significantly improving commercial vehicle emissions.
The CFC strongly encourages Congress to issue a joint resolution of disapproval for the Environmental Protection Agency’s decisions granting California waivers of Clean Air Act preemption for its “Omnibus” Low NOx and Advanced Clean Truck rules. Such action would help stabilize the current regulatory environment and foster continued economic growth in the industry. Existing mandates in California have established unachievable Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) requirements and placed excessive regulatory burdens on the commercial trucking industry that must be reviewed and accordingly rescinded.
These rules have driven up the costs of heavy-duty vehicles and engines, translating to higher transportation costs and in turn have led to increased prices for groceries and consumer goods, exacerbating inflation and supply chain challenges. In addition, the lack of uniformity and regulatory certainty subjects commercial truck manufacturers and interstate fleet operators to a patchwork of unnecessary state standards and requirements that undermines the free flow of interstate commerce.
California’s one-size-fits-all regulations fail to account for the unique operational requirements of the commercial vehicle industry. Ultimately, the federal government should provide regulatory relief for the trucking industry to maximize cost-efficient transportation of goods and to bring down prices for consumers, while providing appropriate environmental protections, incentivizing technological innovation, and encouraging nationwide commerce.
The CFC supports Administrator Lee Zeldin and the EPA’s decision to transmit these rules to Congress and urges Congress to exercise its CRA authority to ensure that regulations in California do not jeopardize our entire nation’s supply chain and economy.
Sincerely,
Jim Mullen
Executive Director
Clean Freight Coalition
cc: Members of the CFC
Chris Spear, American Trucking Associations
Jacqueline Gelb, American Truck Dealers
Ryan Streblow, National Tank Truck Carriers
Jim Ward, Truckload Carriers Association
David Fialkov, National Association of Truck Stop Operators
Debbie Sparks, National Motor Freight Traffic Association
Fred Ferguson, American Bus Association
Gary Petty, National Private Truck Council
Dan Gage, The Transport Project
