Bill Overview
Title: Green Postal Service Fleet Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from carrying out the contract with Oshkosh Defense for the procurement of postal delivery vehicles unless each purchase is at least 75% electric or zero-emission vehicles.
Sponsors: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by the U.S. Postal Service's transition to electric vehicles.
Estimated Size: 327000000
- The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has over 600,000 employees and operates a vast network of delivery services across the country.
- The USPS delivers mail to approximately 161 million delivery points in the U.S.
- Transitioning to electric vehicles can have environmental impacts, such as reducing carbon emissions, which can affect wider populations concerned with climate change.
- The procurement contract with Oshkosh Defense originally planned to supply a mix of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles.
- An emphasis on electric or zero-emission vehicles will impact companies involved in vehicle production, logistics, and energy sectors.
- Individuals and communities near USPS facilities and delivery routes may experience reduced pollution, improving public health.
Reasoning
- The implementation of this policy will disproportionately affect different demographics based on their proximity to USPS facilities and delivery routes, their role in the vehicle production and logistics sectors, and their general concern for environmental policies.
- Because the policy mandates an increase in electric vehicle procurement, it would indirectly boost sectors related to electric vehicle infrastructure, such as battery production and charging networks.
- Communities with higher pollution levels, particularly in urban areas, may benefit from improved air quality, which could affect public health positively over a long period.
- Over 327 million Americans could tangentially benefit from reduced emissions if the USPS transitions significantly to electric vehicles, although only a small fraction will feel direct financial impacts.
- The budget constraint means that immediate benefits may be limited in scope, focusing primarily on regions with existing USPS infrastructure that can readily adapt to electric vehicles.
Simulated Interviews
Postal worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the shift to electric vehicles is necessary. It’ll make my job healthier in the long run since there will be less exhaust to deal with.
- Right now, I’m concerned about how this affects delivery times and if any of us will need additional training.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Electrician (Houston, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could mean more work for my company and more jobs for people like me.
- I’m excited about the environmental benefits, but I hope there aren’t too many bureaucratic delays.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Automobile factory worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There’s a lot of talk about how this contract will impact jobs, and it’s making people nervous.
- If the transition to electric vehicles means fewer jobs, then there’s a problem, but if it creates new opportunities, that would be great.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The noise and pollution from those old diesel trucks have always bothered me, so electric vehicles sound like a wonderful idea.
- I’m all for improving air quality in our neighborhood; maybe it’ll even boost property values.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Environmental activist (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a step in the right direction for national environmental policy.
- I hope the USPS sets a strong example for other organizations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Small business owner (Birmingham, AL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The change to electric vehicles could lower operational costs for us if we decide to follow suit, which would be helpful.
- I’m cautious about how seamless the transition will be and any potential disruptions during the changeover.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Public Health Researcher (New York, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly improve urban air quality, which is crucial for public health.
- I’m optimistic about the long-term benefits for reducing respiratory illnesses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The USPS shift to electric could mean demand for better fleet management technology.
- As someone in tech, I see it as an exciting opportunity for innovation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
College student (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s encouraging to see such a big agency take steps toward sustainability, especially when it’s part of my future career interests.
- I hope to see more policies like this in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Farmer (Boise, ID)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this one are important in tackling climate change, but I wonder about cost implications on other sectors.
- Making sure it’s not a burden on rural communities is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $550000000)
Year 3: $400000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $500000000)
Year 5: $350000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $450000000)
Year 10: $250000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $350000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $150000000)
Key Considerations
- Availability and scaling of electric vehicle production and related supply chains.
- Impact on USPS's operational efficiency during the transition to electric vehicles.
- Potential penalties or costs from renegotiating contracts with suppliers like Oshkosh Defense.
- Environmental benefits from reduced carbon emissions and improved public health outcomes.