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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is re-evaluating regulations, including the Greenhouse Gas Phase 3 rule, while inviting Congress to review the waivers allowing California to set its own emission standards. The trucking industry is now awaiting further developments.
On March 12, the EPA announced 31 actions, including a review of the GHG3 rule as well as the 2009 endangerment finding that identified certain emissions as harmful to public health. This finding supported various emission regulations by the agency.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin labeled this action as “the largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history.”
Mike Tunnell, senior director of energy and environmental affairs with the American Trucking Associations, expressed that the previous administration set “unrealistic [electric vehicle] mandates on impossible timelines” and anticipates a more practical approach under the Trump administration.
Tunnell further noted that the GHG3 rule concerned the trucking sector, fearing it would lead to reduced equipment availability, increased costs, and significant supply chain issues. The Trump administration’s move to reconsider GHG3 has fostered optimism that realistic standards will be established.
While GHG3 does not mandate zero-emission vehicle purchases, it enforces a gradual increase in emission standards from 2027 to 2032, presuming a rise in zero-emission vehicle adoption. The rule anticipates that by the model year 2032, 25% of Class 8 sleeper sales will be zero-emission vehicles, despite the current absence of such models on the market.
Kenny Vieth, President of ACT Research, indicated that GHG3 was overreaching and expected modifications regardless of the election outcome. He speculated that if Kamala Harris had won, it would have led to court challenges instead. However, under President Trump, the industry might experience more direct relief from the EPA.
Vieth believes the forthcoming GHG standards will be significantly less rigorous, potentially eliminating greenhouse gas regulations altogether, though some rules will likely emerge. New regulations may not include a zero-emission vehicle mandate, instead pushing for enhanced efficiency from diesel engines or the integration of natural gas.
Political Shifts and Regulatory Adjustments
Cummins is adapting its strategies under the current regulatory environment, focusing on compliance while staying flexible. David King, product manager for on-road natural gas and hydrogen engines, noted that customers desire efficient and clean engines. He anticipates market changes once new regulations are implemented.
Zeldin also announced plans to request Congressional review of waivers allowing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to impose its emission rules. These waivers facilitated CARB’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation, mandating a gradual increase in zero-emission vehicle sales.
Chris Spear, President of ATA, argued that these changes would diminish California’s power to establish de facto national standards, asserting that California should not dictate national policy.
Despite past decisions against Congressional reviews of waivers, recent developments hint at potential legal battles over these proposals. Lydia Vieth stated that while CARB’s Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Omnibus regulations might remain, delays and chaos could arise from legal proceedings.
Looking Ahead
The expedited regulatory changes under the Trump administration are notable compared to previous efforts at ending CARB waivers. The current administration seems more prepared to implement its agenda effectively.
On another front, congressional Republicans are also aiming to overturn Biden-era regulations, as indicated by recent proposals including the Transportation Freedom Act, which seeks to annul GHG3 and enforce federal standards across all states.
Tunnell noted that zero-emission vehicles may find roles in specific applications, yet broader solutions are essential. He emphasized that realistic benchmarks and regulatory clarity could foster interest in alternative options, alongside a call for fair consideration of various technologies’ carbon footprints.
King remarked that customers are showing renewed interest in natural gas, which can be implemented efficiently and cost-effectively, benefiting both economic and environmental goals. He underscored the potential for natural gas to support fleets in achieving their carbon-reduction plans.
