Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reuters reported yesterday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will wait until late next year to finalize standards for heavy-duty trucks that environmental and public health advocates have been pushing to strengthen since they were first proposed in March.
The original Clean Trucks proposal contained a standard that would reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution from heavy-duty trucks, as well as a standard that would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transit buses, school buses, last mile delivery trucks, and day tractors. While the EPA still plans to finalize the NOx proposal by December, today’s announcement postpones the final GHG rule to the end of next year.
The EPA has stated that the federal GHG rule can be strengthened because of the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The historic amounts of federal funding will propel the electric truck market, incentivize electric truck adoption, and create clean energy jobs. Strong federal regulation must keep truck manufacturers accountable to a strict electrification timeline to meet the influx of demand.
Additionally, the EPA still hasn’t granted the California Air Resources Board several Clean Air Act waivers. The EPA's delay threatens California's and other states' ability to promptly implement these standards, and the health protections that millions of residents are counting on. Delaying implementation by even one year would hinder California’s ability to stay on track to meet air quality and climate commitments, cause regulatory uncertainty, and impede other states in addressing their own air pollution challenges.
Although trucks make up less than 10 percent of vehicles on the road, they spew the majority of hazardous air pollutants, 63 percent of NOx (a precursor to smog) and nearly 25 percent of the transportation sector’s greenhouse gasses. The rule will help to slash emissions from heavy-duty trucks, a significant source of dangerous air pollution nationwide which disproportionately impacts communities of color.
In response to this announcement, Katherine García, director of Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement:
“The EPA heard an overwhelming amount of public support for a strong federal rule to bring cleaner trucks to communities and make a big impact on climate and air pollution.
“While we appreciate the EPA’s intention to strengthen the final rule, it’s critical that we promptly see a proposal that will deliver bold electric truck adoption at a rate above and beyond what the Inflation Reduction Act funds.
“The EPA must also expeditiously approve the California truck waivers in full so that states can address air quality challenges from diesel truck pollution. This delay is a disservice to communities that have been waiting far too long for cleaner air. The clock is ticking.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.