Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last month, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) led the introduction of legislation to overturn an excessive Biden Administration regulation on heavy-duty vehicle emissions. The legislation now has 36 cosponsors. You can read more about the effort and background on the issue here.

Press Coverage:

 

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“Smaller trucking businesses are feeling financial pressure after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new standards for semi-trucks to lower air pollution. Andrew John of the John N John Trucking Company warned that the costs associated with the new standards could kill many mom-and-pop trucking businesses. ‘They go out of business,’ John said on "Varney & Co" Tuesday. ‘They go out of business, and we all know how important small businesses are to the economy.’…For many trucking businesses, the new EPA standard has put them in a difficult position. John acknowledged that while he is pro-environment, the costs and implications of this new standard could be detrimental to the economy and particularly to small businesses. ‘I'm pro-environment, but I don't want to be the first generation to go out of business.’”


 

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“The trucking industry and congressional Republicans are fighting a new EPA regulation aimed at reducing smog-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks — a mandate that is likely to significantly increase costs for big rigs and for shipping in general ‘We went through all of this in 2011,” said Lewie Pugh, longtime trucker and executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which represents small businesses and professional truck drivers. “Back then, there was a $20,000 price increase on this technology … and there was more trouble with those trucks than before. It pushed thousands of small truck drivers out of business.’” 



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“This is the last thing truckers – or people who rely on goods transported in trucks – need…Few drivers, higher operating costs – it’s hard to imagine any effect on the economy other than a spike in prices. Just how long does Biden want to keep the inflation ball rolling?... America needs the trucking industry. As the supply chain gridlock has illustrated, throwing a wrench into the transporting of goods around the country has disastrous effects on the economy.”

 


 

Recap of Stakeholder Support:

“NTTC applaud Senator Fischer protecting America’s tank truck industry. Bulk transporters respect our planet and utilize leading-edge technologies to make trucks cleaner and more efficient than ever before. However, the Administration’s new emissions standards are costly with unobtainable timelines with the current available technology, causing undue burden and higher prices for every American consumer. The trucking industry has made substantial advancements over decades to improve emissions. NTTC is here to work with industry, regulators, and the Administration to be part of an obtainable solution as we continue to embrace technology for a cleaner tomorrow,” said Ryan Streblow, National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) President & CEO.

“The prior years of over-ambitious emission standards have already created unreliable equipment for many years and even driven one of the primary engine manufacturers out of the on-road industry. These ongoing emission systems failures are devastating,” said Danny Schnautz, President of Clark Freight Lines (Pasadena, Texas).

“If small business truckers can’t afford the new, compliant trucks, they’re going to stay with older, less efficient trucks, or leave the industry entirely. Once again, EPA has largely ignored the warnings and concerns raised by truckers in this latest rule,” said Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).

Full text of the resolution can be found here.  

Background:

The EPA finalized its rule on new emission standards for heavy duty vehicles on December 20, 2022. The rule would go into effect on March 27, 2023. 

The rule’s new standards cover nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other air pollutants including particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide (CO). The rule would also change requirements regarding emission control systems and emission-related warranties.

The EPA estimated the technology required to meet the new rule’s standards will cost between $2,568 and $8,304 per vehicle.

Existing regulations on trucks have already resulted in a decrease in NOx emissions between 98% and 99% compared to models from the late 1990s. 

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