Lee. Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Wednesday said the agency is “reconsidering” a variety of regulations, including those aimed at greenhouse gas emissions by heavy duty trucks and the Clean Trucks Plan initiated during President Joe Biden’s time in office.
And, the trucking industry has weighed in on the EPA’s plans.
“Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen. We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more,” said Zeldin. “Alongside President Trump, we are living up to our promises to unleash American energy, lower costs for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, and work hand-in-hand with our state partners to advance our shared mission.”
Reaction by trucking organizations included:
Jim Mullen, executive director of the Clean Freight Coaltion
“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 moving forward. We will also continue to advocate for a national regulatory framework that is technology neutral and achieves the greatest benefit for the environment without unnecessarily burdening the industry, the economy, and all consumers of goods in our country.”
Todd Spencer, President, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
“OOIDA and the 150,000 small-business truckers we represent welcome the EPA’s decision to reconsider the Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas emissions rulemaking and to review the federal NOx standard. Small-business truckers make up 96% of trucking and could be regulated out of existence if the current standards were to be implemented. Mom and pop trucking businesses would be suffocated by the sheer cost and operational challenges of effectively mandating zero emission trucks. Vehicle reliability and affordability are top priorities for OOIDA members and we have yet to see proof that electric CMVs are a practical option for most trucking businesses considering the price tag and lack of charging infrastructure. We commend EPA Administrator Zeldin on his realistic approach to emissions regulations. We will be working with EPA and Congress on a path forward that prioritizes listening to the men and women of the trucking industry.”
Truckload Carriers Association
“As a founding member of the Clean Freight Coalition, TCA has worked diligently to ensure that federal emissions policies reflect real-world operational and economic considerations. Last Congress, TCA supported a letter by Senator Crapo and Representative Feenstra urging the EPA to withdraw the heavy-duty truck emissions rule. This reconsideration underscores the effectiveness of TCA’s advocacy and the collective efforts of the Clean Freight Coalition.
“TCA remains committed to actively engaging in this process to ensure that emissions regulations strike a balance between environmental progress and the trucking industry’s operational realities. By championing practical, achievable solutions, TCA and its members seek to support a transition that benefits both the industry and the environment.”
Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations
“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.
“GHG3 in its current form is unachievable given the state of battery-electric technology and the sheer lack of charging infrastructure. This rule has been an albatross for the trucking industry, threatening to reduce equipment availability, increase costs for businesses and consumers, and cause major supply chain disruptions.
“It is critically important that the federal government set realistic standards with achievable targets and timelines. Prior to the imposition of GHG3, EPA used a collaborate process that served the agency and the trucking industry well and allowed us to make monumental progress to reduce emissions. As a result, sixty trucks today emit the same amount as one truck manufactured in 1988.”
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