Trucking Industry Hails Plan to Void GHG Phase 3 Rule
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The trucking industry lauded plans unveiled by the Trump administration to vacate a legal determination that provided the foundation for previous administrations to propose tougher federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on July 29 unveiled his plan to overturn the so-called Endangerment Finding, which the agency in 2009 used as justification to propose a slew of updated environmental rules, including some that target greenhouse gas emissions.
Per the EPA, the Endangerment Finding is the legal prerequisite used by both the Obama and Biden administrations to regulate emissions from new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines. Absent this finding, EPA said it would lack statutory authority under the Clean Air Act to issue standards for greenhouse gas emissions. This proposal, if finalized, would repeal all federal greenhouse gas standards, stretching back to EPA’s first GHG standards set in 2010 for light-duty vehicles and those established in 2011 for medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles and engines.
Zeldin made the announcement from an Indianapolis truck dealership, with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Indiana lawmakers and Indiana Motor Truck Association President Gary Langston in attendance.
“We are honored that Secretary Wright and Administrator Zeldin chose Indiana as the place to make this important announcement,” Langston said. “The unrealistic and unattainable mandates of the previous administration had put the trucking industry on a path of economic ruin. We are thankful for and encouraged by the leadership we are seeing today, which is returning us to a path of common sense and is allowing us to reduce our environmental impact and continue to deliver for the American people. When regulators work with our industry, rather than against it, the sky is the limit to what we can achieve.”
(Environmental Protection Agency via Facebook)
If finalized, the EPA proposal would remove all GHG standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines.
American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said, “We commend President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for taking decisive action to rescind the disastrous GHG Phase 3 rule. This electric-truck mandate put the trucking industry on a path to economic ruin and would have crippled our supply chain, disrupted deliveries and raised prices for American families and businesses. Moreover, it kicked innovation to the curb by discarding available technologies that can further drive down emissions at a fraction of the cost.”
Spear noted that trucking has long demonstrated a willingness to work with environmental regulators.
“For four decades, our industry has proven that we are committed to reducing emissions. The trucking industry supports cleaner, more efficient technologies, but we need policies rooted in real-world conditions. We thank the Trump Administration for returning us to a path of common sense, so that we can keep delivering for the American people as we continue to reduce our environmental impact.”
The EPA proposal also cites new scientific data from the Department of Energy that challenges assumptions made under the Endangerment Finding. To coincide with the EPA announcement, DOE released a new report called “A Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate,” developed by a group that the release said included five independent scientists and that evaluated peer-reviewed literature and government data on .
Commenting on the report, Wright said, “Climate change is real, and it deserves attention. But it is not the greatest threat facing humanity. As someone who values data, I know that improving the human condition depends on expanding access to reliable, affordable energy.”
The EPA will now launch a public comment period to gather public input on the plan.
One group voicing displeasure with the move was the U.S. Climate Alliance, a consortium of 24 governors of U.S. states. The group is co-chaired by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, both Democrats.
“Americans deserve the truth from their federal government about the climate crisis. No amount of burying research or firing scientists will change the facts: Greenhouse gas pollution causes climate change and endangers our health and welfare — period. From devastating floods to extreme heat to catastrophic wildfire, Americans are seeing the deadly impacts of climate change with their own eyes, and we won’t be deceived by the Trump administration’s reckless abandonment of science and the law.”
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Zeldin said the proposal provides clarity to the business community.
“With this proposal, the Trump EPA is proposing to end and American consumers,” Zeldin said. “In our work so far, many stakeholders have told me that the Obama and Biden EPAs twisted the law, ignored precedent, and warped science to achieve their preferred ends and stick American families with hundreds of billions of dollars in hidden taxes every single year.”
Wright added, “America is returning to free and open dialogue around climate and energy policy — driving the focus back to following the data.”
Per ATA, modern trucks produce 99% fewer nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions than those on the road decades ago, and new trucks cut carbon emissions by over 40% compared with trucks manufactured in 2010. As a result, 60 of today’s trucks emit what just one truck did in 1988.
The also welcomed the proposal. “We appreciate President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for taking this critical step to rescind the Heavy-Duty Greenhouse Gas Phase 3 rule,” said CFC Executive Director Jim Mullen. “The CFC members have consistently opposed the unattainable targets included in this rule that would cause tremendous harm to the trucking industry, jeopardize the supply chain and result in higher prices for goods across our country.”
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun called the announcement “a win for consumer choice, common sense and American energy independence.”
