Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-Neb.) legislation to overturn President Biden’s aggressive EPA regulation on heavy-duty vehicle emissions by a vote of 50-49. The regulation would devastate the trucking industry, raise costs for consumers, and incentivize older, less efficient trucks to stay on the road.
“As families suffer under the burden of high inflation, the last thing we need are more expensive freight costs and fewer truckers. Today, the Senate took bipartisan action to stop yet another aggressive Biden regulation that would drive up costs for consumers, increase vehicle costs, and hurt good-paying jobs. This regulation is jeopardizing our economy, and I look forward to the Republican-controlled House taking up our legislation,” said Senator Fischer.
Click the image above to watch Senator Fischer’s floor speech
All 49 Republican Senators voted in favor of the legislation, in addition to U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Senator Fischer, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee, led the introduction of the legislation in February.
In the House of Representatives, the legislation is being led by U.S. Representative Troy Nehls (R-Texas).
Background:
The EPA finalized its rule on new emissions standards for heavy duty vehicles on December 20, 2022. The rule’s new standards cover nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other air pollutants including particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide (CO). The rule would also change requirements regarding emission control systems and emission-related warranties.
The EPA estimated the technology required to meet the new rule’s standards will cost between $2,568 and $8,304 per vehicle. The American Truck Dealers Association estimates it is more likely a $42,000 increase per truck. In total, the EPA projects the associated costs of this new regulation on the country could reach $55 billion over the lifetime of the program.
The EPA’s regulation would be challenging to implement and make new, compliant trucks cost-prohibitive. By increasing the cost of a new truck, the regulation actually incentivizes keeping older, higher-emitting trucks in service longer. It would also likely force many “mom & pop” commercial trucking operations out of business while encouraging larger trucking operations to pass these higher costs onto consumers.
Adding new financial burdens on the trucking industry would increase the cost of any product transported by trucks, including food, clothing, and other commodities.
A one-pager on the legislation can be found here.
A recap of stakeholder support can be found here.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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