ATA, OOIDA urges EPA to consider the “realities of trucking” in final emissions ruling

The American Trucking Associations released a statement urging the EPA to consider the “realities of trucking” in their final emissions standards ruling. 

The American Trucking Associations released the following statement on May 1st in response to a Congressional Review Act resolution that could overturn the “unachievable” Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas emissions standards determined on March 29th.

“The American Trucking Associations opposes EPA’s GHG3 rule in its current form because the post-2030 targets remain entirely unachievable given the current state of zero-emission technology, the lack of charging infrastructure and restrictions on the power grid,” said American Trucking Associations Chief Advocacy and Public Affairs Officer Ed Gilroy.  “Senators Sullivan and Ricketts and Representatives Fulcher and James’ resolution highlights the need for EPA to include the operational realities of trucking in their final regulation.  We appreciate them drawing attention to this important issue and look forward to continuing to work with champions in Congress, coalition partners in industry and federal regulators to develop realistic, technology-neutral national emissions standards that will benefit our environment and set our supply chain up for success.”

“Small business truckers make up 96% of trucking and could be regulated out of existence if the EPA’s misguided mandate comes into effect,” said Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. “This could have devastating effects on the reliability of America’s supply chain and ultimately on the cost and availability of consumer goods. Local mom and pop trucking businesses would be suffocated by the sheer cost and operational challenges of effectively mandating EV trucks. We thank Senator Ricketts and Senator Sullivan for their leadership in Congress in standing up for America’s small business truckers to fight EPA’s unworkable emissions regulations.”

A full electrification of America’s trucking fleet is estimated to cost $1 trillion.