THE CLEAN AIR FOR THE LONG HAUL RESPONDS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO ISSUE A SUPPLEMENTAL RULEMAKING ON GREENHOUSE GAS STANDARDS FOR HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES IN DECEMBER
THE CLEAN AIR FOR THE LONG HAUL RESPONDS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO ISSUE A SUPPLEMENTAL RULEMAKING ON GREENHOUSE GAS STANDARDS FOR HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES IN DECEMBER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2022
Contact: Anastasia Gordon, Energy and Transportation Policy Manager, anastasia@weact.org
WASHINGTON, DC– On Tuesday, September 21, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that in December 2022 it will issue a supplementary notice of rulemaking to consider more stringent greenhouse gas standards for heavy-duty vehicles for model year 2027-2029. In March 2022, the EPA put forward proposed standards to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and greenhouse gases from these vehicles. In light of the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Agency seeks to update proposed greenhouse standards to be consistent with investments and tax credits authorized through this legislation and could accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks and buses. The Clean Air for the Long Haul Cohort responded to the announcement:
“We eagerly await and appreciate that the EPA will revisit and strengthen the greenhouse gas standards by the end of the year – without extensive delay in finalizing the Phase 3 multi- pollutant standards by 2024 as prescribed by President Biden’s August 2021 Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks.
The release in March 2022 failed to reflect the urgency of the climate crisis and the disproportionate and adverse impacts of pollution from diesel medium- and heavy-duty vehicles have on environmental justice communities. NOx and fine particulates from these vehicles lead to higher rates of respiratory illness, heart disease, and premature death. A recent study provides new evidence of how vehicular air pollution causes lung cancer.
Even prior to the enactment of the IRA, the Agency had the opportunity to be ambitious. In addition to what is possible under the IRA, we call on EPA to update the greenhouse gas standards, taking into consideration the stringency and sales requirements of the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which has been adopted by several states. This will spur widespread electrification in the medium- and heavy-duty sector, help achieve our national climate goals, while also protecting public health.
As we noted in our recently submitted letter, we also urge the EPA to finalize the strongest NOx standards — an enhanced option 1 — by December 2022 to bring much needed pollution reductions and health benefits to overburdened communities.”
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The Clean Air for the Long Haul cohort is composed of environmental justice groups from across the country who are working together to move forward campaigns centering overburdened communities in federal rulemaking in the power and transportation sectors. Through its campaigns, the cohort work to catalyze the environmental justice movement to lead in fueling political will for ambitious, durable rulemaking and explore opportunities to pursue emission reductions for all criteria air pollution from power plants, cars and trucks plagues their communities. Below are some of the members of the Clean Air for the Long Haul cohort:
