Previous iterations of diesel legislation have been closely linked to California law. This session, legislators introduced a slightly less stringent version of the previous bills in HB 2007. This legislation does the following:
- Requires the Environmental Quality Commission to establish diesel engine emission standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks (medium duty includes vehicles that weigh between 14,000 and 26,000 pounds) that include a phase in of the requirement of 2010 or newer engines by 2029 for all medium and heavy-duty trucks.
- Repeals state preemption of local regulation of idling of commercial vehicles.
- Sets stringent public contracting requirements for public improvement if it is a state contracting agency, or the project is valued at $20 million and issued general obligation bonds. Eighty percent of the fleets that meet those standards would need to be a model year of 2010 or newer upon passage of the bill.
While this bill is not as problematic as previous versions, there are several policy issues that elicit further discussion, for example, the initial draft was centered around the Portland-Metro area. The bill as introduced does not keep this standard. Instead, it reaches across the entire state. Other issues include timeline and cost. Many, if not most, counties have a considerable amount of older on-road diesel equipment that is extremely durable and replacing it by 2029 could pose a significant fiscal impact on cash-strapped counties.
Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) opposes the bill as written, but the lobby team will continue to engage in conversations about issues that impact counties.
A public hearing was held on this bill on March 19 in the House Committee on Energy and Environment. Another hearing is slated for March 21. To review meeting materials, click here.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate