Stricter emission standards closer to reality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is wasting little time moving forward with an attempt to establish strict truck emission standards.

On Dec. 18, just months after the comment period for its notice of proposed rulemaking ended, the EPA submitted a final rule for review by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.

The final rule was still under review and had not been published in the Federal Register as of press time in early January.

While it is unclear if the EPA’s final rule has been adjusted, the agency’s notice of proposed rulemaking aimed to set the strictest truck emission standards at the federal level.

The EPA’s submission to the OMB comes as environmental groups and Democrat lawmakers put pressure on the Biden administration to act more quickly to establish tougher truck emission standards.

On Nov. 29, Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., held a news conference to voice their support for the rulemaking, formally known as the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3. The senators wanted the rule finalized by early 2024. According to a timetable on the OMB website, a final rule is scheduled to be released in March.

Last September, 80 federal lawmakers signed a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the agency to finalize and issue strong vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards for both cars and trucks by the end of the year.

Proposed truck emission standards

Last April, the EPA issued a proposed rule for setting the strictest truck emission standards at the federal level.

The EPA’s proposed truck emission standards would require a quarter of new heavy trucks sold in the U.S. to be all-electric by 2032.

The upfront cost difference between an electric truck and an internal combustion engine truck is $582 for a short-haul daycab tractor. However, that price difference skyrockets to $14,712 for long-haul sleeper cab tractors.

In addition, the EPA is proposing stronger carbon dioxide standards for model year 2027 heavy-duty vehicles that go beyond the current emission standards that apply under the Heavy-Duty Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas program. It also is proposing an additional set of carbon dioxide standards for heavy-duty vehicles that would begin to apply in model year 2028, with progressively stronger standards each model year through 2032.

Not so fast

Although Democrat lawmakers have been trying to expedite the process, other federal lawmakers have expressed concerns that the rule is moving too quickly.

Last July, more than 30 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle expressed concerns over the EPA’s Phase 3 of truck emission standards. In a letter to Regan, the coalition of lawmakers pointed out that the proposed rule is being rushed.

“EPA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking with a comment period of only 50 days and has denied requests for extension,” the letter stated. “By comparison, EPA took five years to finalize the Phase 2 GHG rule. There is much at stake for the truck industry, its employees and the economy, and the EPA should take the time needed to carefully consider the concerns raised during the rulemaking.”

Shortly after the proposed rule was published, several stakeholders voiced similar concerns. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association called the rulemaking “hurried” and pointed out the lack of a national charging infrastructure.

“It’s baffling that the EPA is pushing forward with more impractical emissions timelines without first addressing these overwhelming concerns with electric (commercial motor vehicles),” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said in a statement. “The pursuit of this radical environmental agenda in conjunction with an anticipated speed limiter mandate will regulate the safest and most experienced truckers off the road.” LL