EPA Seeks to Turn Back Truck Emissions Rules Among Others

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will re-examine 31 Biden administration rules, including one covering heavy-duty truck emissions. 

The agency said these actions will ensure consumer choice and cut trillions in regulatory costs, according to a March 12 release, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin calling it “the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen.” 

Specific to the emissions rule, the EPA claims that it “was not squarely grounded in statutory authority” and “set emission standards for cars and trucks at such aggressive levels that automakers cannot realistically satisfy the standards without shifting production away from internal-combustion engine vehicles to electric technologies; hence, it functions as an electric vehicle mandate.” 

Some in the trucking industry have responded positively, with American Trucking Associations President/CEO Chris Spear stating, “We commend President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for restoring common sense to our nation’s environmental laws and demonstrating bold leadership on this critical issue that affects not only the 8.5 million men and women who work in trucking, but all Americans.” 

Jim Mullen, executive director of the Clean Freight Coalition, said, “the trucking industry has made significant improvements on tailpipe emissions over the last several decades, and we will work with the administration on reasonable and achievable solutions that continue to deliver cleaner commercial vehicles forward.”