EPA Reviews Emissions Regulations Impacting Trucking Industry

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently assessing several major emissions regulations that could affect the trucking sector. Among these are the GHG Phase 3 standards, NOx rule provisions, and the endangerment finding for greenhouse gases, as announced by the agency last week.

If these regulations are relaxed, it could simplify compliance for U.S. fleets and alter emissions policies at both federal and state levels.

This update comes from Jim Mullen, the executive director of the Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) and former acting administrator of FMCSA, who spoke about possible regulatory changes during a press conference at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) convention held in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mullen suggested that the terminology used by the EPA—such as “reconsider” and “reevaluate”—implies a likelihood of delays or alterations rather than a complete repeal of the current regulations.

Regarding GHG Phase 3, Mullen indicated that instead of imposing stricter mandates, the EPA may decide to maintain the standards at Phase 2 levels until the timeline approaches 2027, allowing for additional assessments in the interim.

Mullen also pointed out that the EPA is reexamining the NOx rule due to its expensive compliance requirements and questionable environmental advantages. He noted concerns that the warranty provision could be excessively burdensome, costly, and provide minimal benefits, suggesting that the EPA may review this specific element of the NOx regulations.

In addition to EPA regulations, California’s stringent emissions waivers are under congressional investigation via the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which enables Congress to nullify specific agency decisions. Mullen mentioned ongoing discussions about whether these waivers are considered federal rules under CRA terms, which may influence their ability to be overturned through this mechanism.

Furthermore, the Clean Freight Coalition is committed to advocating for a diversified approach to clean energy, endorsing various alternatives rather than solely focusing on an all-electric transition. Mullen emphasized their support for an “all-of-the-above” strategy that explores the potential of different alternative fuels, including renewable natural gas (RNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and biodiesel.