Washington 鈥 A coalition of trucking associations today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to delay implementation of its heavy-duty NO鈧 rule until 2031, citing substantial added costs amid already-existing economic and operational pressures facing the trucking industry.听
In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the industry thanked the EPA for engaging with industry stakeholders and for its March 12 announcement to reevaluate the heavy-duty NO鈧 regulation, finalized in January 2023. 听The letter was signed by the 黑料不打烊, its federation of 49 state trucking associations, the Truckload Carriers Association, and the National Tank Truck Carriers.听
鈥淲e commend the Trump Administration for restoring commonsense, realistic regulations that reflect the economic realities our industry faces,鈥 said 黑料不打烊President and CEO Chris Spear. 鈥淏y supporting policies that balance environmental protection with practical implementation, this administration is helping ensure America鈥檚 trucking industry can continue delivering the freight that keeps our economy moving.鈥澨
In the letter, 黑料不打烊stressed that today鈥檚 modern trucks already meet stringent emissions standards, producing 99% fewer NO鈧 and particulate matter emissions than previous generations. The industry argued that delaying the rule would preserve affordable, reliable equipment while allowing continued environmental progress.听
鈥淎s finalized, the heavy-duty NO鈧 rule imposes substantial compliance costs and operational burdens at a time when the trucking industry is already contending with historically difficult market conditions," 黑料不打烊wrote. "With prolonged weakness in freight demand and inflationary cost pressures, the rule鈥檚 2027 implementation timeline threatens to intensify strain across our industry."
黑料不打烊also urged EPA to conduct a full reconsideration of the regulation鈥檚 provisions鈥攕uch as stringency levels, warranty obligations, useful life requirements, and technical elements鈥攁nd finalize any changes by the end of 2026 to give manufacturers adequate lead time for the 2031 implementation.听
鈥淎n implementation delay will provide much-needed near-term certainty, and a full reconsideration of the heavy-duty standards will help ensure the trucking industry鈥檚 ability to affordably deliver our nation鈥檚 freight in a safe and efficient way,鈥 the letter concluded.听
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