EPA urged by members of Congress to finalize strongest feasible GHG regs
Summary
It’s also signed by six other Senators and 68 other Representatives It pushes the EPA to be more ambitious by building on the commitment that the nation’s truck and engine manufacturers agreed to in California -- 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2036 -- as they finalize the rule. “By setting the strongest feasible standards for GHG emissions from heavy duty engines, and by finalizing its locomotive proposal, EPA can meet the Clean Air Act’s mandate to protect public health and welfare,” wrote the lawmakers. “We encourage EPA to finalize standards that go beyond the current proposal and fully incorporate the potential for national emissions reductions highlighted by the technologies and strategies agreed to in the Clean Truck Partnership between CARB and the engine and truck manufacturers.” The Clean Freight Coalition responded to the letter, relaying its concern over a push to follow California’s emissions standards at the federal level. “The Clean Freight Coalition remains concerned that lawmakers and regulators continue to pursue a regulatory agenda that follows California’s mandates that will upend the nation’s supply chain while ignoring immediate, scalable solutions for reducing carbon emissions from existing and future fleets,” said CFC Executive Director Jim Mullen. “It is disappointing that certain members of Congress are pushing a one-size-fits-all environmental agenda that fails to understand the mass diversification of the commercial vehicle industry.” Mullen added that setting requirements that rely on “technologies that are either in early demonstration phases or not fully developed … will disrupt the nation’s freight network.” Mullen also outlined ways Congress and regulators could provide immediate emissions reductions, including repealing the federal excise tax on trucks, and promoting and incentivizing low-carbon fuel options like biodiesel and renewable diesel.