EPA proposes weakening heavy-duty truck pollution rules
6 reported
The Trump administration is proposing changes to Biden-era environmental rules that cut pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, including buses and large trucks. The Environmental Protection Agency proposal would scale back and postpone two provisions related to emissions-reducing technology warranties and the useful life of that technology. It would also eliminate a requirement that truck engines automatically reduce power if emissions systems fail, replacing it with a driver alert. The EPA analysis estimates the changes would save the trucking industry between $4,130 and $6,152 per diesel engine but increase ozone-forming nitrogen oxide pollution by 4.2% in 2030 and 11.6% by 2055. The EPA did not model the effect on air quality or human health. The proposal is open for public comment.
What’s reported
The proposal would scale back and postpone two provisions: one on warranties and one on the useful life of emissions technology.
The current rule requiring automatic power reduction when emissions systems fail would be replaced with a driver alert.
EPA analysis estimates savings of $4,130 to $6,152 per diesel engine.
The change would increase nitrogen oxide pollution by 4.2% in 2030 and 11.6% by 2055.
The EPA did not model the effect on air quality or human health.
The proposal is open for public comment.
Key figures
Lee Zeldin, EPA administrator
Kelly Loeffler, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration
Katherine García, director of the Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All campaign
American Trucking Associations
Sources: NPR
