On January 17, 2024, Dr. Mark Mitchell, MD, MPH, FACPM, CT Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council and Alex Rodriguez, Save the Sound, presented about the environmental justice benefits of the Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks regulations to the Air and Transportation Committee of CT Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council. You can watch their presentation and the Q&A period with the legislators.
CEEJAC Air and Transportation Committee meeting – video
The ACC II and ACT rule, which is the California regulation, will increase the number of new zero-emission cars and trucks in CT, as manufacturers will be required to provide more of them for sale. However, these regulations will NOT impact used car sales – used cars (gas-powered, hybrid, and zero-emission) will still be available for purchase. The regulations also require an increased number of affordable zero-emission vehicles to be provided for sale in environmental justice communities and they expand consumer protections, such a expanded battery warranties.
The ACC II and ACT rule will have a positive impact on air quality by reducing air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide, the main ingredient in smog. CT has some of the worst air quality and highest asthma rates in the country – Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury, and Stamford top the list. In addition, asthma is the top medical reason for school absence. Please watch the meeting to learn more about this important issue – Alex Rodriguez and Dr. Mark Mitchell do a great job explaining the many environmental justice and public health benefits of the Clean Cars and Clean Trucks regulations.
