Contact:
Les Braswell
803-429-6260
les.braswell@gmail.com
(Flagstaff, AZ) – Last week, Arizona State Representative Mae Peshlakai (District 6) joined local Flagstaff community stakeholders for a press conference to discuss the newly finalized clean truck (heavy-duty) standards. These standards, enacted by the Biden Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are designed to reduce air pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and promote the manufacture of low and zero-emission trucks and buses.
Speakers underscored the air quality benefits of the new standards and their significance in protecting Flagstaff’s tourism-driven economy. As Northern Arizona experiences the effects of climate change, such as more frequent wildfires and high heat days, transitioning to cleaner transportation solutions is critical to safeguarding the city’s economic vitality and public health.
Rep. Mae Peshlakai highlighted the importance of these standards for the environmental and economic well-being of Indigenous and rural communities in Flagstaff. She stated, “Our Indigenous and rural communities understand deeply the connection between environmental stewardship and the well-being of our communities. These clean truck standards are not just administrative rules —they are a vital step toward protecting the air, water, and land that sustain us. For Flagstaff and the broader region, this is about ensuring that our children inherit a world where they can thrive, free from the burdens of pollution and climate change, and one that respects and preserves their heritage.”
Ylenia Aguilar, EcoMadres/Moms Clean Air Force, Southwest Organizer, reflected on the public health benefits for Flagstaff families. “The safeguards are a victory for every family in Flagstaff. These clean truck standards are a significant leap forward in protecting our children from the harmful effects of air pollution,” said Aguilar. “The transition to zero-emission vehicles will mean cleaner air and healthier futures, particularly for communities that have long suffered from living adjacent to heavy traffic and diesel emissions. Our work now is to ensure these benefits reach every corner of our community.”
Dr. Stefan Sommer, Director of Education (retired), NAU Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research; Board of Directors, Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance, discussed the truck standards’ role in addressing the pressing climate challenges in the region. He emphasized, “Flagstaff is on the front lines of climate change, facing the reality of more frequent wildfires and extreme weather events, specifically deadly heat waves. These new truck standards are a crucial tool in our fight against these pressing challenges. By reducing carbon emissions and advancing clean technologies, we are not only protecting our environment but also building a more resilient future for our city and its residents.”
In conclusion, the speakers expressed their gratitude for the EPA’s leadership for the new standards, and urged continued support for these vital protections, opposing any attempts to roll back the new safeguards. They emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in the transition to a zero-emission future.
A recording of the event is available [HERE].