OOIDA responds to Pennsylvania AG calling glider users ‘bad actors’

In response to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s recent derogatory comments about glider kits and the truckers who use them, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is asking its Pennsylvania members to voice its displeasure.

On July 18, a federal appeals court blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from exercising “enforcement discretion” on glider manufacturers while the agency evaluates its proposal to repeal emission requirements for glider vehicles.

Several states, including Pennsylvania, joined environmental groups in challenging EPA’s decision to not enforce production caps on glider kits. In doing so, Shapiro posted on Twitter that he was fighting the EPA’s decision.

“I’m suing the EPA for allowing Administrator Scott Pruitt to institute an illegal, last-minute mandate,” Shapiro wrote. “His final action was his deadliest – paving the way for bad actors to use dangerously high polluting engines in ‘glider kits.’ It’s corrupt and I won’t allow it.”

OOIDA supports the glider industry, contending that gliders give small-business truckers an affordable option when compared to new trucks. On Monday, July 23, the Association issued a call to action, asking its 7,200 members in Pennsylvania to speak out on the issue.

“Mr. Shapiro wants to destroy the glider kit industry, leaving owner-operators with even fewer affordable options for new vehicles,” OOIDA wrote. “Last week, Mr. Shapiro used Twitter to label all truckers who use glider kits as ‘bad actors.’ We think Mr. Shapiro should apologize for disparaging Pennsylvania truckers and take some time to learn more about why we need glider kits.”

OOIDA provided its members contact information for Shapiro and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. Shapiro can be reached at 717-787-5211 or via his Twitter handle @PAAttorneyGen. Wolf can be reached at 717-787-2500 or by email.

In addition to the letter to its Pennsylvania members, OOIDA also sent a letter to state officials in Pennsylvania.

“While OOIDA is deeply disappointed Pennsylvania is taking action to effectively kill the domestic glider kit industry, we find Mr. Shapiro’s choice of words to be wholly unacceptable,” the Association wrote. “Glider kits, which are refurbished engines and drivetrains attached to new cabs, are considerably cheaper than new trucks, which typically cost over $175,000. They are a popular and reliable option for many owner-operators who don’t have the budget to afford a brand new commercial motor vehicle.”

The EPA announced on July 9 that it had decided to delay through 2019 the enforcement of a cap that would limit the number of glider trucks that could be built. The agency said the delay was intended to reduce the impact on the industry until a resolution could be reached.

Based on the Obama-era regulation, glider manufacturers were going to be limited to building 300 trucks in 2018. Backing off enforcement means glider manufacturers will be able to produce as many gliders as they did in 2017, when they were limited to the number of gliders they built in their biggest production year between 2010 and 2014.

It was the latest blow in a long fight over whether or not gliders should be included in the Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas regulations.

In November 2017, the EPA proposed to repeal emission requirements for glider vehicles, glider engines, and glider kits, because gliders shouldn’t be defined as new vehicles. It has never become a final rule.

Molly Block, a spokeswoman for the EPA, said the agency’s enforcement delay was intended to reduce the negative effects to the industry until a final rule can be completed.

“Consumer demand and market preference should determine the availability of glider kits, not federal regulations,” OOIDA wrote.