Diesel Truck Mandate Pulled Back After NRLA Push Across Northeast and D.C.

The Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA) is celebrating a major win for the building materials industry following President Trump’s signing of resolutions to repeal the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) Rule at the federal level. This action effectively nullifies ACT regulations in all 10 states that had adopted them under California’s emissions model.

The ACT Rule aimed to phase out diesel-powered trucks in favor of electric alternatives. For the building materials supply chain, where jobsite deliveries rely on medium-duty and specialized vehicles, the technology simply was not ready. Electric versions of key trucks did not exist or could not be produced at scale, and the few models available did not have the range or capacity to meet industry needs. As a result, the market effectively froze. Dealers could not sell diesel trucks due to the rule, and electric replacements were not practical options.

“This was never about diesel versus electric,” said NRLA president Rita Ferris. “It was about making sure regulations matched what is actually possible on the ground. Our members want to be part of a more sustainable future, but it has to be feasible.”

Recognizing the urgency, the NRLA launched coordinated campaigns in five Northeastern states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. These efforts succeeded in securing immediate suspensions or delays in four of those states. This state-level relief provided critical breathing room for businesses while the association continued to push for a full repeal at the federal level.

Highlights included:

• In New York, all NRLA regional and local presidents signed a joint letter to Governor Hochul urging a delay. They also submitted letters to the editor across the state warning of cost impacts, delivery delays, and risks to housing affordability.
• In New Jersey, TJ Shaheen of Builders’ General Supply hosted more than a dozen yard tours with state legislators to show firsthand how the rule would affect independent dealers and their customers.
• In Vermont, Jeremy Baker of rk Miles and Claudia Homan of Bethel Mills wrote to Governor Phil Scott and met with him in person.
• In Massachusetts, Tony Shepley of Shepley Wood Products wrote directly to Governor Maura Healey, while the Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association (MRLDA) played an instrumental role in building a statewide coalition of groups being impacted by the ACT rule.
• In Connecticut, Bob Sanford of Sanford and Hawley led efforts to join a broad coalition that helped secure a suspension of the rule.

These member-driven actions were instrumental in pausing or delaying the rule in the region, which set the stage for national action. At the same time, NRLA, working closely with its federal advocacy arm, the American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA), took action to address the broader policy issue and prevent a patchwork of conflicting state rules. ABMA lobbyists Jim Thompson and Denise Murphy McGraw played a central role in bringing industry concerns directly to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and key members of Congress.

Their work paid off. Congress voted for a full repeal, and the President signed it into law. The ACT Rule is now no longer in effect in any of the 10 states that had previously adopted it.

“This is a major policy reversal and a clear example of what happens when members get involved and stay engaged at every level,” said Francis Palasieski, NRLA director of government affairs. “Securing state-level delays gave businesses immediate relief while we worked with the federal government for a permanent fix. We are proud of the members who helped lead this effort.”

The NRLA will continue to advocate for practical, coordinated transportation policies that protect a reliable, affordable, and sustainable building materials supply chain.

“This outcome shows what can happen when local business owners, state associations, and our national partners work together toward a common goal. By staying coordinated and speaking with one voice, we were able to fix a policy that just didn’t make sense for our industry or our communities. I’m proud of what we accomplished together.”

Rod Wiles of Hammond Lumber Company and Chair of the American Building Materials Alliance

“New York simply doesn’t have the charging infrastructure in place to support an accelerated transition to electric trucks. This repeal isn’t a step backward, it’s a chance to reset the conversation and pursue a more practical, phased approach that considers on-the-ground realities for small businesses and the broader supply chain.”

Doug Ford of Curtis Lumber and Chair of the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association

“This rule completely froze truck sales in Massachusetts. Dealers were stuck, unable to comply and
unable to sell the trucks our industry depends on. We were able to get the rule temporarily suspended
here, and now the nationwide repeal is a huge relief for businesses and customers alike.”

John Mahoney of Fairview Millwork and Legislative Chair of the Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers
Association

“We all want to move toward cleaner technology, but mandates have to match reality. This repeal
means we can plan smarter transitions instead of being forced into impossible choices.”

Tony Shepley of Shepley Wood Products in Massachusetts

“We had informal conversations with Governor Scott, and he assured us he understood how this would impact our industry. It’s a good reminder of why it matters for local businesses to stay engaged and share their perspective.”

Jeremy Baker of rk Miles and Legislative Chair of the Vermont Retail Lumber Dealers Association

“Our customers rely on us to keep projects moving in every corner of Vermont. It just wasn’t possible with the ACT Rule as written. We’re grateful common sense won out.”

Claudia Homan of Bethel Mills and President of the Vermont Retail Lumber Dealers Association

“Working together across industries gave us a stronger voice in Hartford. Stopping this rule was the right call for jobs and housing across Connecticut.”

Bob Sanford of Sanford and Hawley and Legislative Chair of the Lumber Dealers Association of Connecticut

“Hosting lawmakers at our yards gave them a clear picture of what this rule would do on the ground. Seeing our trucks, our delivery routes, and our challenges firsthand made all the difference.”

TJ Shaheen of Builders’ General Supply and President of the New Jersey Building Material Dealers Association

“New York’s building materials supply chain just wasn’t ready for this shift. We spoke up early and often to protect our businesses and our customers.”

Dana Schnipper of J. C. Ryan EBCO and Chair of the NRLA-NY Legislative Committee

“The regional impacts were clear. In the Hudson Valley, our delivery networks and routes just can’t support this kind of sudden change. A pause was necessary and fair.”

Russell Turner of Fallsburg Lumber Company and Past President of the Mid-Hudson Lumber Dealers Association

“Our industry simply wasn’t ready. I’m proud that we raised our concerns in a clear, constructive way, and policymakers listened.”

Jamie Evans of Cameron Ashley Building Products and President of the Central New York Retail Lumber Dealers Association

“Our industry supports progress, but it has to be achievable. Unrealistic goals only create roadblocks for businesses and communities alike. I’m proud we spoke up and secured a solution that makes sense for everyone.”

Robert Bicknell of Bicknell Building Supply and President of the Northern New York Lumber Dealers Association

“Traffic congestion and fleet expansion costs were being overlooked. Local businesses like ours need practical solutions, not blanket mandates.”

Chip Penny of Coastal Forest Products and President of the New York and Long Island Lumber Association

“Range limitations and severe winter weather pose real barriers upstate. This repeal gives us breathing room to plan better options.”

Michele Wild of Genesee Lumber Company and President of the Western New York Lumber Dealers Association

“We were very concerned about rising costs pushing housing prices even higher. This decision helps keep affordability within reach for more New Yorkers.”

Louise Eddy of Saratoga Quality Hardware and President of the Eastern New York Lumber Dealers Association

About the NRLA

The NRLA is a 1,100-member association based in Rensselaer, N.Y., representing independent lumber and building material suppliers and associated businesses in New York, New Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic, and six New England states. Throughout our 130-year history, NRLA has provided leadership, support, and community for lumber and building material dealers. NRLA is an industry leader in education, legislative and regulatory reform, and member programs and services. We also produce the industry’s largest regional trade show, LBM Expo as well as the IDEAS trade show. For more information go to nrla.org.

Contact:

Francis Palasieski – Director of Government Affairs – francispalasieski@gmail.com

Source: Northeastern Retail Lumber Association