Bill > SB147

This bill establishes the Near Zero Emission Truck Incentive Program to reduce air pollution from heavy-duty diesel trucks in Pennsylvania by providing financial incentives for truck fleet owners to upgrade to newer, cleaner trucks. The program will offer grants to eligible applicants who purchase new or used near zero emission trucks (defined as diesel trucks manufactured in 2010 or later) when they trade in pre-2010 diesel trucks. Grants can cover the federal excise tax for new trucks or up to 6% of the secondary sale price (or $5,000) for used trucks. The program will be administered by the Department of Transportation, which will create an application process, establish guidelines, and maintain a separate fund for these incentives. Applicants must prove the truck has been registered, titled, and insured in Pennsylvania for at least two years, and must trade in a pre-2010 diesel truck that is not a salvage vehicle. The bill aims to significantly reduce truck emissions by targeting older, more polluting vehicles, recognizing that trucks manufactured before 2010 emit approximately 10 times more nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer models. The program includes provisions for auditing grant recipients, seeking additional federal funding, and providing annual reports to legislative committees about the program's fiscal activity and environmental impact.