Rep. Diehl: Major relief for business on advanced clean truck rule

By State Representative Ed Diehl
May 15th, 2025

Today, State Representative Ed Diehl (R-Stayton)applauds the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for halting penalties on the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rules for model years 2025 and 2026. This decision ensures trucks remain available for Oregon’s hardworking businesses, including small enterprises, while addressing unworkable Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandates.

The DEQ’s move follows significant efforts led by Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), with strong support from Rep. Diehl and House Republicans through House Bill 3119. Introduced earlier this year, HB 3119 sought to delay the stringent ACT regulations, which were causing manufacturers to restrict diesel truck sales due to challenges with ZEV compliance. The lack of infrastructure and viable technology threatened to cripple businesses reliant on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.  The bill garnered bipartisan support.

“This is a commonsense win for Oregon,” said Rep. Diehl. “By pausing these penalties, we’re protecting small businesses and jobs both in the Santiam Canyon and across Oregon from burdensome regulations that don’t match reality. I’m proud to stand with Rep. Boshart Davis and our Republican colleagues to deliver this relief.”

The DEQ’s enforcement decision, effective immediately, allows manufacturers to continue supplying internal combustion engine vehicles without penalty, provided they maintain good faith efforts toward ZEV goals. This temporary measure ensures market stability while the state addresses infrastructure and technological gaps.

“The tow industry is grateful for the reprieve on the CARB emissions requirements,” said Mike Wagner of Santiam Wrecker Sales. “Our industry is committed to being good stewards of the environment but have no viable EV options available at this time. We applaud this commonsense solution by DEQ.“