Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to review and offer comments on a revised draft of the agency’s 2045 Freight Movement Plan (FMP) during a 15-day public comment period from September 21 through October 5, 2022.

“The Freight Movement Plan underscores our ongoing commitment to freight planning statewide,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “Through our planning efforts, we want to ensure that the Department is properly positioned not only to accommodate the demands of freight transportation, but to help facilitate it.”

The FMP provides information on PennDOT’s efforts to continually improve the safe and efficient movement of freight statewide. Having an approved and up-to-date freight plan helps ensure Pennsylvania remains eligible for federal funding under the National Highway Freight Program (NHFP). This federal program will add an average of $58.5 million annually to the state’s program

The plan is available on PennDOT’s website, and an electronic comment form is available.

Through collaboration with freight stakeholders, PennDOT developed the plan over a two-year period. The plan addresses all state and federal provisions for freight planning, including those from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law by President Biden November 2021.

The plan is an update to Pennsylvania’s current freight plan, PA On Track, which the Federal Highway Administration approved in November 2017.

Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices.” Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

 

On Friday, September 16, 2022, PMTA and its Northwest Chapter, along with Klapec Trucking Co., hosted a Legislative Meet-and-Greet at Klapec’s facility in Reno, PA. Members were able to hear from local lawmakers and discuss with them many issues affecting their companies and the trucking industry in PA.

In attendance at the event were:

• ·         PA State Sen. Scott Hutchinson
• ·         PA State Rep. Donna Oberlander
• ·         PA State Rep. R. Lee James
• ·         PA State Rep. Brian Smith
• ·         Kyle Hannon on behalf of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey
• ·         Brad Moore on behalf of U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson

PMTA Northwest Chapter President Dale Knox welcomed the group, introduced the team from Klapec Trucking, and thanked them for hosting the event. Dale introduced PMTA President & CEO Rebecca Oyler, who reiterated her thanks and talked about Klapec’s history as a Pennsylvania family-owned business. Klapec is an example of the type of company PMTA works hard on behalf of every day. She then discussed some of the barriers that hold the trucking industry back in PA, including high costs to operate compared to other states, CARB, and PA registration requirements. Rebecca thanked the legislators who voted to stop PennDOT’s P3 bridge tolling initiative.

Sen. Hutchinson stated that the legislators were there to learn from the experts in the audience. He was pleased that the tolling was stopped because it would have been a drag on the trucking industry. It is his goal to help businesses grow. This means limiting costs that government imposes, especially with inflation so high. He mentioned that several tax code changes will make attracting and retaining businesses easier. He is also concerned about unpaid Turnpike tolls and stated that the General Assembly is considering ways of addressing this.

Rep. James mentioned his work in ensuring that elections are run well because, “no matter how you’re registered, you want your vote to count.” Tourism is an important focus for him as well, as many local businesses are struggling to recover from the pandemic. He also stated that the General Assembly has worked on several constitutional amendments this year.

Rep. Oberlander stated that the anti-tolling coalition will continue to be vigilant to ensure that tolling isn’t presented as a solution again. She was interested in addressing the CARB issue that Rebecca had mentioned, getting Pennsylvania out of California’s emissions standards. She had heard from constituents about new CDL requirements (ELDT) preventing veterans drivers from getting back into the industry.

Rep. Smith, who owned his own trucking company before running for the General Assembly, talked about going into the transportation industry because he didn’t want to sit behind a desk. He compared being a House member to being a dispatcher – he never knows what will come up on any given day as he is out and about meeting with constituents. He would be interested in sponsoring a bill that would allow federal inspections to be sufficient for PA-registered tractors.

Brad Moore talked about the importance of associations for businesses. Legislators and staff know a little about a lot but depend on associations like PMTA to educate them on the details. He thanked the members in the room for their work, saying that trucking is a unique industry that touches every other industry. He mentioned workforce and inflation as being significant issues that affect the industry.

PMTA’s first member question related to electric trucks. He was concerned that state and/or federal policy would push the industry to all electric, like California, by 2035. Rep. Oberlander believed that this is unachievable and unnecessary. Sen. Hutchinson stated that he is opposed to having PA’s regulations tied to other states.

The member wondered what the legislators thought about a mileage-based user fee. He was especially concerned that it may be an add-on to the fuel tax, and the fuel tax wouldn’t go away. Rep. Oberlander responded that electric vehicles are not currently paying their fair share of roadway taxes. The General Assembly had tried to increase their registration fee, but this was defeated.

Rep. Smith noted that trucks already pay a mileage-based tax, but cars are different, and the solution is more complicated. He said discussions need to happen. The answer must be either/or, and not both. Sen. Hutchinson stated that electric vehicles should not get a free ride as they are already highly taxpayer subsidized. He believes that the public will not tolerate a GPS-based mileage-based system because of privacy concerns and that a simpler system will need to be found. Rep. James noted that he has not yet seen a workable plan for replacing the fuel tax, so discussions must continue.

A member asked about high truck registration fees in Pennsylvania forcing many national trucking companies to register out of state. Lower fees may bring them back to Pennsylvania and increase funding for roads and bridges. Rep. James responded that the legislature is aware of it and discussing potential solutions. Sen. Hutchinson asked PMTA how PA compares to other states, and PMTA staff volunteered to send that information to the participants.

A PMTA member brought up abusive towing practices and provided an example towing bill his company received with an exorbitant cost. He said that something needs to be done to stop the practice. Rep. Smith responded that this happened to his company too, so he is aware of the issue. He also mentioned auto insurance minimums as a high priority for him. The legislators were interested in addressing the issue. Rebecca mentioned that abusive towing is a national as well as a state issue and that PMTA is working on several fronts on the issue. It is a problem that many PMTA members have experienced, and it must be addressed.

A member asked about drug and alcohol testing. She understands why random testing is necessary but wondered whether there could be any flexibility. Testing providers have 9-5 hours, but drivers don’t. Working around their hours and travel to get 50% of drivers tested every year is difficult.

A member brought up PennDOT’s winter weather restrictions. He said that drivers know when conditions are bad and when they need to park their truck. Rep. Smith agreed and mentioned that the legislature was able to get milk haulers exempted last year. He stated that local drivers know how to drive (or not drive) in bad weather, but some truckers on the road are still a problem. Rep. Oberlander said that PennDOT has been lowering speed limits, rather than shutting down the roads, which is what they want to see. Rebecca stated that PMTA has been discussing the restrictions with PennDOT.

Another member brought up lawsuit abuse as a major concern and mentioned that safety systems and technology are preventing accidents and reducing severity. However, insurance rates continue to climb. The participants agreed that this is an issue that should be addressed.

Kyle Hannon thanked participants and volunteered to pass on to Sen. Casey many of the concerns that members brought up. The event closed with thanks all around, lunch, and a No-Zone display featuring a Klapec truck.  

On Thursday, September 15, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA), along with members of PMTA's Road Team, gathered at the I-81 southbound rest area near Grantville to recognize National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Representatives from each agency discussed the important role of truck drivers in Pennsylvania and interstate commerce. The PMTA team distributed coffee and doughnuts sponsored by the GIANT COMPANY to drivers who stopped by. 

WHAT: PennDOT, PSP, PMTA recognized the important role the trucking industry plays in commerce.

WHEN: Thursday, September 15, 2022; 8:00 - 10:00 AM

WHERE: Grantville Rest Area, I-81 southbound, mm 79

MEDIA CONTACT: Fritzi Schreffler, 717-418-5016

Below are the remarks shared by PMTA President and CEO Rebecca Oyler in recognition of and thanks to America's truck drivers.

Good morning.

I would like to thank you all for being here this morning as the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association and our partners with the Pennsylvania State Police and with PennDOT extend our gratitude for the truck drivers in our state. We are here specifically to recognize National Truck Driver Appreciation Week but in reality, we at PMTA are thankful for truckers all year round. 

Incredibly, 96.2 percent of manufactured tonnage is transported by trucks in Pennsylvania. That comes out to about 414,000 tons per day. Nearly 88% of all Pennsylvania communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods.

In Pennsylvania, if you bought it, a truck brought it. The shirt on your back, the food on your table, and the gas in your gas tank got to you because it was first on a truck. 

PMTA is grateful to the men and women that climb behind the wheel everyday to deliver goods to warehouses, stores and even our front doors. Every day we share the road with these guardians of commerce, and we are thankful for their dedication to safety and their commitment to move freight securely and efficiently. 

There are more than 3.7 million truck drivers in America and one in every 15 Pennsylvanians work in the transportation industry, so there is a good chance that you know a truck driver. So if you get the chance, we encourage you to say a word of thanks. And if you don’t know a driver personally, there will be one delivering your next Amazon package at your door soon. 

Thank you to all those out there on the roads today keeping America Moving.

Thank you.

The 2022-23 budget deal that passed in Harrisburg this past summer contains significant benefits for Pennsylvania’s business community. PMTA members may benefit from the tax changes that take effect in 2023, including:

With 97% of trucking companies being small businesses, it’s important that there are benefits for small businesses coming next year too. The following tax benefits will help Pennsylvania businesses that are subject to the Personal Income Tax rate:

• Like-Kind Exchanges. Starting in 2023, businesses may dispose of one asset and acquire another without generating a tax liability from the sale of the first asset. Pennsylvania was the only state in the country that didn’t allow for this tax deferral at the state level.

• Tax Deduction for Qualifying Equipment Purchases. Section 179 of the Federal tax code allows owners of pass-through businesses to write off the entire depreciation of purchased qualifying equipment during the initial tax year, effectively reducing the cost by lowering tax liability. Pennsylvania law limited these deductions to $25,000 for businesses subject to the state's personal income tax. In 2023, the deduction limit will increase to be consistent with the federal limit, providing equity for small businesses.

Businesses equipment that qualifies for Section 179 is almost any asset with a useful life beyond one year. Vehicles have a complicated set of exceptions, however, vehicles intended for business, such as semi-trucks, dump trucks, and forklifts are fully eligible for the deduction.

To determine how these state tax changes may impact you, contact your tax professional.

On Friday, September 9, PMTA and Ward Transport and Logistics Corporation hosted a Legislative Meet-and-Greet at Ward’s headquarters in Altoona, PA. PMTA members were able to hear from many local lawmakers and talk with them about issues affecting their companies and what the legislature might do help the industry.

In attendance at the event were the following PA General Assembly members:

• ·       Sen. Judy Ward
• ·       Sen. Wayne Langerholc
• ·       Sen. Cris Dush
• ·       Sen. Joe Pittman
• ·       Rep. Kerry Benninghoff
• ·       Rep. Rich Irvin
• ·       Rep. Lou Schmitt
• ·       Rep. Jim Gregory

PMTA President & CEO Rebecca Oyler welcomed the group, thanking Ward Transport and Logistics for hosting the event. Rebecca thanked Ward for being a member of PMTA because Ward represents what PMTA works for on behalf of all its members: the opportunity for PA trucking companies and the businesses that support them to compete effectively, succeed at they do, and thrive so that they can contribute to the economic prosperity of the state and the nation.

Rebecca thanked Sen. Langerholc for authoring and the lawmakers in the room who had voted for the compromise that stopped PennDOT’s P3 bridge tolling initiative, which PMTA had long fought to stop. She mentioned several issues that are holding the industry back in PA, including high costs to operate compared to other states, CARB, and PA registration requirements.

Rep. Benninghoff, House Majority Leader, opened by stating that the legislature works for everyone in the room and that PMTA members should stay in touch with lawmakers to make sure they understand the industry’s issues. Sen. Pittman agreed but noted that, though the Legislative branch is important, the people who are in the Executive and the Judiciary branches are critical too. Rep. Schmitt also agreed but noted that because the legislature is the policymaking branch, it’s critically important to tell legislators what’s important to the industry, stating “if you’re not in the conversation, it doesn’t count.” Sen. Ward agreed that legislators need to hear thoughts and ideas from PMTA members – today and long after today.

Rep. Gregory noted his experience in addiction treatment and recovery and discussed how important this is to the industry. He said that policymakers are actively looking for solutions, if members have found any, please share them.

Sen. Dush stated that underinsured motorists are affecting the industry every time they are involved in an accident with a truck and noted that the legislature is working to address this.

Sen. Langerholc thanked PMTA for working hard on behalf of its members to fight bridge tolling. He said that the issue wasn’t being discussed early on and may have slipped through except for PMTA’s calling attention to it. He is glad that Gov. Wolf ultimately signed SB 382 because bridge tolling would have been an astronomical cost to the trucking industry.

Langerholc also noted that the Transportation Committee recently held a hearing on PennDOT’s contract with an Australian company to complete the nine bridges. This P3 contract would require about $9 billion over 30 years for projects that would cost around $3 billion now.

Rep. Irvin discussed the U.S. truck driver shortage, noting that these are family-sustaining jobs. Career and technical education is important to push for.

Member questions followed. The first question asked whether the legislature would consider reducing registration fees for trucks because the high costs of registration in PA drive companies to less expensive states to register, leading to fewer registered trucks and less revenue overall. Sen. Langerholc agreed and thought that it would be a good issue to bring up next year. Rep. Benninghoff stated that most legislators don’t know how much it costs to run a truck on the road and how punitive these costs can be for small businesses. He agreed that this may be an issue for next session. Sen. Ward told members to invite a lawmaker to their facility to show them their business and discuss these issues with them.

Rep. Schmitt added that people don’t generally understand how heavily regulated the trucking industry is, including that small businesses must comply with the same rules as big businesses. Sen. Dush reiterated that members should make sure they talk to their legislators about these costs. Added costs mean less employees.

The next member question related to infrastructure funding, specifically, how to ensure that funding raised for this purpose funds roads and bridges. Sen. Dush noted that the liquid fuels tax is not tracked well – it should be tracked by zip code. Sen. Langerholc stated that federal money is automatically dispersed according to formulas. With the state’s Motor License Fund, the amount going to the PA State Police was reduced this year, but is still substantial, and this needs to be addressed.

The conversation then turned to PennDOT’s winter weather restrictions. There was some discussion over whether they have in fact increased safety on the road. Some legislative guests and members noted that the private sector is well positioned to determine for themselves whether or not it is safe to drive. The companies in attendance noted that they each have a process for keeping their drivers safe during winter weather and determining whether it is appropriate to drive. A member pointed out that PennDOT’s reason for winter weather restrictions is their concern about being able to clear the road if a large truck is disabled. This is an issue that need to continue to be discussed.

A member brought up a concern about drivers involved in accidents he has investigated that are unable to understand English. This is a safety concern but probably a federal issue.

Another member asked how the state might provide incentives (tax incentives or insurance incentives) to implement safety technologies in trucks. Some legislators thought that tax incentives may be a good idea, though others believed that reducing companies’ overall tax burden would be the best way to free up funding for these technologies. A suggestion was made that the safety industry should make studies about the impact of technologies available to actuaries in the insurance industry.

Lastly, a member asked about tort reform. What can PMTA do to stop lawsuit abuse? Rep. Benninghoff answered that members should pay close attention to judicial elections – know who is running and what they stand for. Also vote in retention elections.

The event closed with a tour of Ward’s facilities.

PMTA’s next Legislative Meet-and-Greet is Friday, September 16 at Klapec Trucking in Reno, PA. Guests include: Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso (also candidate for Lieutenant Governor), Sen. Scott Hutchinson, Rep. Donna Oberlander, and Rep. Brian Smith. Register to attend today!

Atlanta, GA – The American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, today launched the 2022 Top Industry Issues Survey.  The annual survey asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with potential strategies for addressing each issue.

Now in its 18th year, ATRI’s annual analysis not only ranks the issues overall but also provides insights into how critical topics are ranked differently by motor carriers and professional drivers.  The report also allows stakeholders to monitor issues over time to better understand which issues are rising, or falling, in criticality.

“The annual Top Industry Issues Survey has long been a crucial part of understanding the issues facing our country’s supply chain.  ATRI’s research provides a chance for thousands of trucking industry professionals, from drivers to executives, to weigh in on the most important topics that affect trucking and collectively decide on the best strategies for addressing each,” said ATA Chair Harold Sumerford, Jr., CEO of J & M Tank Lines, Inc.

“I encourage my fellow drivers to take a few minutes and complete the Top Industry Issues Survey.  Whether your top issue is truck parking, driver compensation, detention, traffic congestion or something else, it only takes a few minutes to make your voice heard and for us collectively to let the industry know what drivers are most concerned about,” said Steve Fields, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for Yellow.

The results of the 2022 survey will be released October 22, 2022 as part of the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition to be held in San Diego, California.

Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the 2022 survey available by clicking here.  The survey will remain open through October 7, 2022.

ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501c3 not-for-profit research organization.  It is engaged in critical research relating to freight transportation’s essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.

# # #

Seminar rsvp link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=nozz6x9ab&oeidk=a07ejbt3joda55b6e7a

Overview: 

Trial lawyers have been beating up on trucking companies in accident litigation using a strategy known as “reptile theory”. The goal of this legal strategy is to manipulate the jurors’ fears and emotional responses. This ultimately ends in multi-million-dollar “nuclear” verdicts against trucking companies. Insurance companies respond by increasing rates causing smaller companies to close and larger companies to assume greater risk. To deter this tactic, the “mongoose method” was created as an appropriate defense. The purpose of the mongoose method is to educate employees and the business community on how to avoid traps and steer the argument away from emotion and back to the facts of the incident.

To properly educate, the Ohio Trucking Association (OTA) is hosting a Mongoose Method Training Program on Wednesday, October 5 from 8:00am - 3:00pm at Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio. This educational event, led by nationally recognized expert, Dr. Bill Kanasky, Jr., Senior Vice President of Litigation Psychology for Courtroom Sciences, Inc. will cover nuclear verdicts, the pre-litigation phase, the reptile theory, and the discovery phase at this all-day training. As a Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association member, you are invited to attend this training at the OTA member price.

This training is for company owners and leadership teams, legal and HR professionals, safety and risk managers and anyone who has a vested interest in how safety operations affect the profitability of a business in the trucking industry.

Training Location:

Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
100 Green Meadows Drive South
Lewis Center, OH 43035

Room rate is $145 per night. Reservation deadline is September 16, 2022. Please call reservations directly at 614-880-4300 and reference Group ID 316442 or book online here.

Schedule: 

• 8:00 am - Registration
• 8:30 am - Program begins
• 11:30 am - Lunch
• 3:00 pm: Program concludes

Price:

• ·        $499 Member Rate
• ·        $999 Non-Member Rate

To Register:

• 1.   Follow this link: https://bit.ly/3AS9wwP
• 2.   Select “Non-Member Rate”
• 3.   Use promo code PMTA at the bottom of the registration page to receive the member price of $499

About the Trainer:

Dr. Bill Kanasky, Jr. is Senior Vice President of Litigation Psychology for Courtroom Sciences, Inc. and a nationally recognized expert, author, and speaker in the areas of advanced witness training and jury psychology in civil litigation. He consults on more than 200 cases annually in the areas of defendant witness training, jury decision-making research, and jury selection strategy.  His empirically based consulting methods are specially designed to defeat plaintiff “Reptile” strategies, which have resulted in billions of dollars of damage awards across the nation.  He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his Ph.D. in Clinical and Health Psychology from the University of Florida.

Refund Policy:
Our refund policy is as follows:

• You will receive a 100% refund if you cancel more than 10 days before the course.
• You will receive a 75% refund if you cancel more than 3 days before the course.
• You will receive no refund if you cancel less than 3 days before the course.

In response to PMTA's members' concerns about the implementation of California regulations in 2022 relating to warranty requirements for heavy-duty trucks, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a notice in November 2021 that they would not be enforcing CARB requirements in Pennsylvania until at least 2023. 

However, many members remain concerned that DEP's notice is insufficient to prevent legal challenges, and as a result, PMTA has been pursuing a legislative solution that would have the force of law. HB 2075, sponsored by PA State Rep. Jerry Knowles, which has already passed the state House, would suspend CARB in PA through model year 2024. This bill is up for a vote in the Senate this fall. Governor Wolf has indicated that he would not veto the bill. 

(Please note that HB 2075 would suspend CARB in PA only through 2024, with emissions requirements reverting to EPA guidelines. After model year 2024, without further legislative or regulatory action, PA would return to CARB regulation of heavy-duty trucks.)  

PMTA sent the letter below on HB 2075 to Senate leadership on Tuesday, August 30. Members are also encouraged to contact their state Senators to express support. 

RE:      PMTA Support for HB 2075 – Abrogation of CARB Regulations

Dear Senate Leaders:

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA), I am writing to express our strong support for House Bill 2075 (Knowles), which is currently on the Senate Table, and respectfully request its swift consideration by the full Senate. It’s also important to note that the Wolf administration is neutral on House Bill 2075 PN 2529.

PMTA represents the interests of the trucking industry in Pennsylvania, the lifeblood of the state’s economy. Almost 66,000 trucking companies in the Commonwealth move raw materials and manufactured goods within and among suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. Almost all businesses in Pennsylvania depend on truckers and the 323,000 employees in the industry that keep the economy moving.             

Like other businesses, Pennsylvania’s trucking companies are struggling to recover from the pandemic. Supply chain issues make getting parts difficult, and the worldwide semiconductor shortage has led truck manufacturers to slow production to a crawl, with the cost of those trucks that are available up substantially since last year. At the same time, a critical driver shortage is affecting the industry’s ability to maintain the high standards and responsiveness that shippers and receivers have come to expect from truckers and that the economy depends on in many ways.

That’s why PMTA supports House Bill 2075, which would remove an onerous regulatory burden affecting Pennsylvania’s trucking companies by further increasing costs at the worst possible time.

In a regulation promulgated nearly 20 years ago, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) adopted the emissions standards of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) by reference for diesel-powered vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds. As a result, any time CARB revises its rules, Pennsylvania’s Heavy-Duty Diesel Emissions Control Program automatically updates to adopt the California rules. No action is needed on the part of Pennsylvania to adopt CARB requirements for heavy-duty trucks now and in the future.

Last summer, PMTA heard from several of its members about steep and unexpected cost increases for new trucks. These increases in the price of trucks purchased in 2022 were the result of new CARB warranty requirements, which took effect automatically in Pennsylvania. Specifically, CARB now requires the extension of manufacturers’ warranties on trucks to increase. For Class 8 trucks, the warranty is increasing from 150,000 to 350,000 miles (less for lighter vehicles). This requirement has raised the cost of new Class 8 trucks in Pennsylvania between $2,100 and $5,500 this year, depending on type of truck and engine.

Though 13 states have adopted CARB’s emissions requirements in part, the warranty requirements are in effect in only two states other than California, including Pennsylvania. This had led many trucking companies with operations outside of Pennsylvania to consider purchasing and registering their trucks elsewhere in 2022 to minimize cost. Pennsylvania truck dealers are unable to compete effectively with those in other states for business, and lost vehicle sales result in less tax money and registration fee revenue for Pennsylvania.

On the other hand, Pennsylvania companies whose vehicles are not registered as apportioned have no choice but to register their trucks with PennDOT, which require the CARB warranty. These companies, most of which are small businesses, bear the full cost of this increased warranty on their new trucks, a burden that businesses in other states do not share.

But it is important to note that the 2022 warranty, though costly for trucking companies, has no real benefit for the environment. The trucks sold with the CARB warranty are the same trucks sold under EPA standards. And because new trucks do not run if their emissions systems are broken, owners must fix problems in any case, whether they are covered by the warranty or not.

The trucking industry is proud of the incredible progress it has made in recent years to reduce emissions and improve air quality. Heavy-duty trucks produced today are about 99% cleaner than 1970 models. In just the past 20 years, the industry has slashed NOx emissions by over 90% and particulate matter emissions by over 98%.

As more and more trucks are replaced with newer, cleaner vehicles, emissions will continue to decline. Pennsylvania is number three in nation for highest percentage of new generation clean diesel heavy-duty trucks on the road at 59%, a full 10% higher than the national average.

But mandates like this warranty requirement create a disincentive for companies to buy new trucks. They force many truckers to hold onto older trucks, with less advanced emissions systems, because newer, cleaner trucks are unaffordable.

On November 6, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that the agency would not be enforcing CARB in Pennsylvania for heavy-duty trucks at least until July 31, 2023. PMTA appreciates DEP’s responsiveness to its concerns and for recognizing the harmful impact the regulation has on Pennsylvania’s trucking industry with no environmental benefits.

However, PMTA learned from several truck dealers and manufacturers that the notice has had little impact on truck sales in Pennsylvania because CARB is still a regulatory requirement, regardless of DEP’s enforcement plans. In fact, the notice includes specific language that it “does not protect a manufacturer, distributor, seller, renter, importer, leaser, or owner of a retail outlet from the possibility of a legal challenge by third parties…”

Because the only way to prevent lawsuits from being filed against those in the industry is to change the law, PMTA supports the passage of House Bill 2075, which would simply remove CARB emissions requirements for Pennsylvania heavy-duty trucks through model year 2024 and instead enforce the EPA standards in effect in almost all other states.

PMTA believes that abrogating the regulations, as provided by House Bill 2075, is the best way to ensure that, not only is DEP’s suspension of enforcement of the 2022 warranty requirement effective, but future CARB requirements are carefully considered before they are implemented in Pennsylvania. PMTA is concerned that turning the regulation of truck emissions in the Commonwealth over to the people of California through CARB is at best unresponsive to Pennsylvania’s unique circumstances and at worst, an unconstitutional delegation of authority. The latter deprives Pennsylvania’s citizens the opportunity to comment and its legislature the oversight it is entitled to under the regulatory review process.

PMTA asks the Senate to consider House Bill 2075 expeditiously to remove the costly CARB warranty requirement from truck sales in Pennsylvania now.

Thank you for your consideration, and please do not hesitate to contact me with questions.

Very truly yours,

Rebecca Oyler

President & CEO

Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association

DID YOU KNOW?       

529 plans are a popular way to save for college. Many children have 529 plans set up from then when they are little, and contributions are made by relatives and friends to their plans over time, leading to substantial savings by the time a child turns 18.

But what happens to the money if  a young person graduates from high school and chooses not to go to college or wants to delay college until later? 

Thankfully, 529 plans can be used for Truck Driving and/or Diesel Technical Schools!

What is a 529 plan?

A 529 plan is a type of savings and investment account in which money grows tax-free as long as the withdrawals are for qualified education expenses. They are named after a section of the IRS code.

There are two types of 529 plans:

1. 529 college savings plans are the most common type. Investments grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free for educational expenses such as tuition, room and board, and required textbooks.

2. 529 prepaid plans let you prepay part or all of an in-state public tuition, locking in the tuition at time of payment.

529 plans can be used to pay for postsecondary education at any eligible institution, including trade schools. Trade school programs usually take less than two years to complete and are less expensive than four-year degrees.

Even if parents originally set up a 529 plan to pay for a child's 4-year degree, the funds may still be withdrawn tax-free to pay for trade school expenses. If there are funds left over in the 529 account after the trade school is paid for, parents can choose to change the beneficiary to another qualifying family member or use the funds for their own education without penalty. 

529 plan funds can be used for tuition and fees, textbooks, supplies and equipment (including tools), special needs expenses, computers, internet access, and room/board. 

You can use the link below to look up schools in Pennsylvania that accept 529 funds. However, the list of eligible truck driving and diesel mechanics schools is provided below. 

Federal School Code Lookup for Section 529 Eligible Institutions (savingforcollege.com)

Truck Driving Schools:

Berks Technical Institute (Wyomissing)

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology (Pleasant Gap)

Clearfield County Career & Technology Center (Clearfield)

Delaware County Community College (Phoenixville)

Fortis Institute (Forty Fort)

Harrisburg Area Community College (Harrisburg)

Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center (Mill Creek)

Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (Willow Street)

Lehigh Carbon Community College (Schnecksville)

Lenape Technical School (Ford City)

Luzerne County Community College (Nanticoke)

New Castle School of Trades (New Castle)

Northampton Community College (Bethlehem)

Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport)

Somerset County Technology Center (Somerset)

Western Area Career & Technology Center (Canonsburg)

For Diesel Mechanics only:

Central Pennsylvania Diesel Institute (Liverpool)