Prominent advocacy organizations from the petroleum sector, independent trucking operators, and two significant agricultural associations have united to contest new anti-pollution rules targeting heavy-duty trucks and similar equipment.
On Tuesday, June 18, the American Petroleum Institute (API) initiated legal action in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals against the heavy-duty vehicle emission standards set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for model years (MY) 2027-2032.
API Senior Vice President and General Counsel Ryan Meyers stated, “We are advocating for consumers who depend on trucks for their daily goods. The EPA is imposing a transition to technologies that are currently non-existent for these vehicles. Even if such technology were to become available in the future, it would likely have negative effects on the average American. This is yet another instance of this administration enforcing unpopular policies without legal backing, and we are eager to hold them accountable in a court of law.”
Joining API as co-petitioners in this lawsuit are the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, remarked, “Small business truckers account for 96% of the trucking industry, and the EPA’s impractical heavy-duty regulations could drive them out of business. This rule would undermine America’s supply chain reliability and ultimately raise consumer costs. Small trucking operations would struggle under the financial and operational pressures of mandating zero-emission trucks, while this administration continues to push its flawed environmental policies.”
This April, the Biden administration finalized new federal emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, including commercial ones. The EPA anticipates that to comply with these standards, a substantial increase in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) within the heavy-duty fleet will be necessary. For instance, by MY 2032, over 40% of vocational vehicles will need to be ZEVs, and long-haul tractors, which currently have no ZEVs, must reach 25% by the same model year.
Estes Recognized for Safety Achievement
Estes Express Lines has been recognized by the American Trucking Association for its safety performance for the 23rd consecutive year. Recently, Estes secured six national safety awards in the ATA’s National Truck Safety Contest and the National Industrial Safety Contest, both assessing driver accident and employee injury rates, respectively.
The accolades earned by Estes include:
- 2nd place – Truck Safety Contest – LTL – Line-haul Division (Over 100 million miles)
- 2nd place – Truck Safety Contest – LTL – Local Division (Over 100 million miles)
- 2nd place – Industrial Safety Contest – LTL Division (Over 5,000 employees)
- 1st place – Truck Safety Contest – LTL – Line-haul Division (10-100 million miles)
- 1st place – Truck Safety Contest – LTL – Local Division (10-100 million miles)
- 2nd place – Industrial Safety Contest – LTL Division (1,001-5,000 employees)
“Safety is a fundamental value ingrained in every aspect of Estes’ operations—both on and off the road. This recognition by the ATA is particularly meaningful,” said Curtis Carr, Vice President of Safety and Risk Management. “Our priority is to protect the public, our customers, and our employees, and we emphasize the importance of safety to all employees.”
In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
A truck driver has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a series of trailer fires involving Swift. Additionally, a new Love’s location has opened in Oregon, adding 81 truck parking spaces. Lastly, we want to know: What is a realistic orientation duration to fully understand your new company?
