Trucking news and updates for Wednesday, March 12, 2025:
Pennsylvania Fleet and Other Organizations Challenge EPA’s CARB Waiver
A nearly 300-truck fleet, H.R. Ewell, from East Earl, Pennsylvania, has joined several organizations in filing a petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The petition challenges the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant California a waiver for implementing the “Omnibus” Low-NOx Regulation affecting heavy-duty trucks.
Represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation, H.R. Ewell and other petitioners include the Western States Trucking Association, California Fuels and Convenience Alliance, California Asphalt Pavement Association, New York Construction Materials Association, and the Associated General Contractors of New York State.
The California Air Resources Board’s Omnibus Low-NOx Regulation aims to significantly reduce NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions and introduces new standards for testing, regulatory lifespan, and emissions warranties. This rule builds on the EPA’s own heavy-duty NOx regulation finalized in 2022, which will apply to model years 2027 and onward. Initially approved in 2020, CARB’s regulation was set to take effect for model year 2024 after the EPA’s waiver was announced in December and officially published on January 6.
The Pacific Legal Foundation criticized the Omnibus regulations as “draconian standards” likely to increase the costs of new trucks and replacement engines dramatically. They warned that price hikes could be detrimental to companies like H.R. Ewell, which replaces 20 to 40 trucks annually to sustain its fleet. Concerns were also raised regarding the potential for California regulators to ultimately prohibit internal combustion engines entirely.
Petitioners contend that California should not dictate emissions standards that affect other states, arguing that granting such authority violates the constitutional nondelegation doctrine. Their petition seeks to declare the EPA’s waiver unlawful and aims for it to be annulled and set aside, along with any further judicial relief deemed necessary.
Hours Relief Renewed for Railroad Support Firms
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has provisionally extended an hours-of-service exemption for specific companies in the railroad sector. Companies such as R.J. Corman Railroad Services, Cranemasters, and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association initially requested this exemption in 2019 to address “unplanned events” occurring beyond normal working hours.
The FMCSA granted the exemption in 2020, allowing affected drivers to work beyond the established 14-hour limit after duty and to exceed accumulated on-duty hours according to existing regulations. This exemption ensures that drivers can respond to incidents affecting interstate commerce and railway safety, including derailments and severe weather conditions.
Finalists Announced for Women in Trucking Driver of the Year
The Women in Trucking Association (WIT) has revealed the four finalists for the 2025 Driver of the Year award, sponsored by Walmart. This award celebrates exceptional female truck drivers who exemplify top safety practices while positively impacting the trucking industry’s public perception.
The finalists include:
- Ericka Norfleet, owner-operator, R.E. Garrison Trucking
- Gina Jones, company driver, Werner
- Kathy Blaies, professional car hauler, United Road
- Sandy Winters, company driver, Leonard’s Express
Norfleet brings extensive experience, having logged over one million accident-free miles since obtaining her CDL in 2015. Jones, who transitioned from retail management to trucking, boasts 2.5 million accident-free miles. Blaies has achieved an impeccable track record in car hauling, while Winters, a former U.S. Army servicemember, has spent over 30 years in trucking, actively mentoring newcomers.
The winner will be announced at the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event on Friday, March 28, during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
