Trucking Industry Hit with New EPA Regulations That Are Likely To Increase Operating Costs

The Environmental Protection Agency announced It would be enforced tighter pollution regulations for heavy-duty trucks, vans and buses. Experts told the Associated Press that stricter nitrogen dioxide emission standards could result in higher operating costs for trucking companies. Daily Caller News Foundation.

New regulations by the EPA, which affect vehicles made after 2027, are designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 50% by 2045.

The EPA recently announced an emission rule. “strongest-ever national clean air standards to cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks.” The EPA claimed that the new standard was 80% stronger than current regulations.

According to the agency, the stricter standards are intended to force trucking companies to move away from diesel-powered trucks and to replace them with electric fleets.

“EPA is taking significant action to protect public health, especially the health of 72 million people living near truck freight routes in America, including our most vulnerable populations in historically overburdened communities,” Michael S. Regan, Administrator of the EPA.

Regan pointed out that this announcement is only the first step of the EPA’s efforts to improve the environment. “Clean Trucks Plan,” This strives to achieve a “zero-emission future.”

The EPA stated that restrictions would have several benefits. These include a reduction in premature deaths up to 2,900, 18,000 cases in children with asthma, 3.1 million fewer symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms, and $29B in annual net benefits.

“These rigorous standards, coupled with historic investments from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will accelerate President Biden’s ambitious agenda to overhaul the nation’s trucking fleet, deliver cleaner air, and protect people and the planet,” Regan continued.

Mandy Gunasekara is a senior policy analyst at the Independent Women’s Forum. She was also the former Trump administration EPA chief-of-staff.

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