Researcher: JKL Page 1 3/30/21
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 931
AN ACT CONCERNING EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR MEDIUM
AND HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection commissioner, by December 31, 2021, to assess the energy,
environmental, and air quality impacts of adopting California’s
medium- and heavy-duty vehicle standards in Connecticut.
If the commissioner determines that adopting the California
standards is necessary to meet federal air quality standards or state
greenhouse gas reduction requirements, she may adopt regulations to
implement the standards here. If she adopts these regulations, she
must amend them whenever the California standards change. The
regulations may incorporate by reference the California Air Resources
Board’s (CARB) adopted regulations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
BACKGROUND
California Standards
CARB adopted (1) a heavy-duty omnibus rule, which creates new
emission standards for engine manufacturers beginning in 2024, and
(2) an advanced clean trucks rule, which requires truck manufacturers
to deliver for sale a certain percentage of advanced technology
vehicles.
Connecticut MOU Signatory
In July 2020, Connecticut signed a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) with 15 other states and the District of Columbia to work
together to reduce emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
The signatories’ goal is to have all medium- and heavy-duty vehicle 2021SB-00931-R000218-BA.DOCX
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sales be advanced technology zero emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2050,
with an interim goal of 30% ZEV sales by 2030.
Medium- and Heavy-duty Vehicles
The U.S. Department of Transportation categorizes vehicles based
on gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR). Medium-duty vehicles
generally have a GVWR of between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds (e.g.,
box trucks, firetrucks, and school buses). Heavy-duty vehicles have a
GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds (e.g., city transit buses, mobile
cranes, cement mixers, refuse trucks, and tractor trailers).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Environment Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 22 Nay 10 (03/12/2021)