Oklahoma lawmaker intros ‘Diesel Engine Freedom Act’ to push back on ‘burdensome federal DEF mandates’

An Oklahoma Senator has introduced legislation that he says will defend truckers, farmers, and businesses from overreach from federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On January 14, Sen. Dusty Deevers introduced the “Diesel Engine Freedom Act” (SB457), which he describes as “a landmark bill to protect the rights of Oklahomans to own, operate, and manufacture diesel engines free from burdensome EPA regulations, specifically those requiring Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems.”

In a news release announcing the bill, Deevers laid out the key provisions in SB457:

• Protects Oklahomans’ Rights: Prevents state and local enforcement of unconstitutional and extremely burdensome federal DEF mandates, allowing individuals and businesses to use reliable, cost-effective diesel engines.
• DEF-Free Engine Innovation: Enables Oklahoma manufacturers to produce DEF-free engines without federal interference, supporting job creation and economic growth.
• Provides Legal and Financial Protections: Shields businesses penalized under federal environmental regulations, ensuring they are not unfairly burdened.
• Boosts Industry Reliability: Reduces downtime and repair costs associated with DEF system failures, benefiting farmers, truckers, and energy producers.
• Strengthens State Sovereignty: Asserts Oklahoma’s independence from federal overreach, preserving the state’s ability to regulate its industries.

Deevers suggested that SB457 could save trucking companies from closure by cutting down on costs.

“Our farmers, truckers, and businesses rely on diesel engines every day to power their work and their dreams,” Deevers said. “An owner of a trucking company in Oklahoma City told me that this bill, if passed, would save his business $30,000 per month, $3.6 million per year. That is the difference between thriving and shutting down.”

“This legislation sends a clear message to Washington: Oklahoma will not look out for its people instead of bowing to unconstitutional EPA mandates rooted in climate hysteria that threaten our livelihoods and industries,” Deevers said. “DEF systems not only add unnecessary complexity and expense to diesel engines but also cause frequent failures in extreme weather and heavy-duty conditions, leading to costly repairs, downtime, and decreased reliability for hardworking Oklahomans.”