Republican senators seek to reverse U.S. heavy-duty truck emissions rule
Send a link to a friend
[February 09, 2023]
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of 34 Republican senators said on
Thursday they would seek to overturn U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) rules that aim to drastically cut smog- and soot-forming
emissions from heavy-duty trucks.
The senators said the Biden administration rule finalized in December
was overly challenging to implement, would make trucks cost prohibitive
for small business owners and would increase supply chain costs.
Under the Congressional Review Act, a simple majority vote in both
chambers of Congress can reverse recently finalized rules. Democrats
hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, while Republicans narrowly control
the House.
The new standards, the first update to clean air standards for heavy
duty trucks in more than two decades, are set to take effect March 27
and are 80% more stringent than current standards.
The EPA estimates by 2045, the rule will result up to 2,900 annual fewer
premature deaths, 1.1 million fewer lost school days for children and
$29 billion in annual net benefits.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2019/Sep/05/images/ads/current/stclara_lda_SPONSOR_090519.png)
Republican Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska, who is leading the effort to
repeal the rule, said the "aggressive" EPA rule would incentivize
"operators to keep using older, higher-emitting trucks for longer."
The new EPA rules target heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers by
tightening yearly emissions limits and changing key provisions of
existing rules to ensure emissions reductions in long-term road use. The
rules toughen test procedures, regulatory useful life requirements and
emission-related warranties.
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/020923PIX/news_f71.jpg)
Semi-trucks line up near Pier J to
retrieve shipping containers from China-based ship at the Port of
Long Beach, in Long Beach, California, U.S., April 4, 2018.
REUTERS/Bob Riha Jr./File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Feb/09/images/ads/current/atlantabank_quarter_LUAL_2022.png)
"It's really important, especially for protecting the health of the
72 million people living near truck freight routes in America," EPA
Administrator Michael Regan told Reuters in December. The rule would
reduce smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by as much as 48%
by 2045, he added.
Todd Spencer, president of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers
Association, said if small business truckers could not afford the
new, compliant trucks they would stick with older, less efficient
trucks or exit the industry entirely.
Some environmental groups said they backed the rules, while others
said the EPA had not gone far enough to protect public health from
emissions.
Separately, the EPA plans to propose by next month "Phase 3"
greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for heavy-duty vehicles and new
emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. Both are to
take effect in the 2027 model year.
In December 2021, the EPA finalized new passenger vehicle emissions
requirements through 2026 that reversed President Donald Trump's
rollback of car pollution cuts.
Transportation is the largest source of U.S. GHG emissions, making
up 29%, and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest contributor
at 23%.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jamie Freed)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |