Marcy, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D–119) welcomed Commission Lefton of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to Utica Mack Inc. in Marcy for an on-site conversation about implementation of the Clean Truck Act, and how the state can work with all to support local industry in achieving environmental progress.
The visit followed a productive June 26th energy roundtable hosted by Assemblywoman Buttenschon with NYSERDA, ORES, and DEC staff, where over a dozen representatives from municipalities, school districts, and local businesses raised serious concerns about the practicality of electrifying heavy-duty fleets under the current statewide mandates.
“Our communities want to achieve clean air; we want solutions that are both sustainable and realistic,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “I brought Commissioner Lefton here today because I believe our state agencies should hear directly from the people who will be implementing these changes. Local voices must shape our path forward.”
During the visit, Tom Heiland, President of Utica Mack, proposed an alternative policy approach known as “Dollars for Diesel”, a legislative concept that Assemblywoman Buttenschon is currently working on. The initiative would offer incentives to replace aging diesel trucks with newer, cleaner-burning models, as a more attainable path toward reducing emissions without disrupting the economy.
“Nearly half of all diesel trucks in New York are from before 2010,” said Heiland. “A 2025 diesel truck is 66 times cleaner than a 2010 model. If we focus on removing the oldest trucks from our roads, we’ll reach our clean air goals much faster, without placing unnecessary burdens on dealerships, school districts, or small businesses.”
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that continued collaboration between Albany and the Mohawk Valley is essential for crafting policies that are both environmentally responsible and economically sustainable.
“This is just the beginning,” Buttenschon added. “I will keep working to ensure state leadership stays grounded in the everyday realities of our region, because meaningful change comes when we listen, adapt, and work together.”
