Mobilize the coalition of health, environmental, and business voices to flood the DEP public comment and Harrisburg with support.
Mobilize a broad coalition to create an overwhelming, credible public record for ACT adoption and to give DEP and the Environmental Quality Board cover to act. This strategy coordinates testimony, public comments, and direct engagement that highlights both health impacts of diesel pollution and business support for clean trucks. The goal is to keep the coalition unified while preventing legislative interference or dilution.
Why this works
- The Clean Trucks PA coalition already includes business voices (like Giant Food, Compass, and U.S.
- Steel) as well as groups like the American Lung Association, Physicians for Social Responsibility, NRDC, and local clean air advocates.
- Coordinated lobbying can reassure moderate lawmakers that this isn’t “anti-business” but actually backed by many market players.
- Public health experts can present data: e.g.
- “Adopting ACT would avoid 140 premature deaths in PA and save billions in health costs” (NRDC’s analysis found on the order of 140 lives saved by 2050).
- Importantly, labor voices can be included: the coalition could get, say, a United Auto Workers local or workers from an EV bus plant in PA to testify that ACT will create demand for locally built electric buses/trucks.
- The environmental justice perspective can be voiced by community groups from Philly or Pittsburgh telling stories of medical debt from asthma, linking to diesel exposure (making it a social justice issue to adopt ACT).
- A flood of supportive comments and op-eds can help DEP justify the rule and give cover to officials.
League of Conservation Voters
AdvocacyElecting environmental champions and advocating for climate action
Mechanism
About GrassrootsHow League of Conservation Voters uses funding
- Maintain a shared coalition message that emphasizes health protection and practical readiness alongside business support.
- Coordinate public comment drives and testimony so DEP receives a strong, diverse record.
- Bring business supporters, health experts, and community voices into meetings and hearings at key moments.
- Prepare rapid-response materials when opponents introduce new tactics or attempt to reframe the rule as anti-business.
- Manage internal coalition differences to prevent fragmentation and dilution of the goal.
- Track legislative oversight and budget channels to preempt interference as the rulemaking proceeds.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Coalition message and red lines set
EarlyPartners align on the core goal, key arguments, and what cannot be weakened.
- 2
Comment and testimony plan ready
Before public windowsA coordinated plan exists for hearings, comment submissions, and stakeholder outreach.
- 3
Public participation executed
During comment and hearing windowsDEP receives diverse testimony and comments that support adoption.
- 4
Interference threats countered
During rulemakingRiders or oversight threats are detected early and countered before they derail the process.
- 5
Final coalition push
At decision pointCoordinated advocacy supports rule adoption and readiness planning.