Press Release

March 07, 2022

ELPC Supports Proposed Rule to Strengthen Truck Emissions Standards

"The public health dangers of NOx emissions disproportionately impact low income people and communities of color"

STATEMENT BY ANN JAWORSKI, STAFF ATTORNEY
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY CENTER

Today the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed new, stronger standards to promote clean air and reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year 2027. The proposed standards would reduce emissions of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines and set updated greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for certain commercial vehicle categories. This proposed rule works towards ensuring heavy-duty vehicles and engines that drive American commerce and connect people across the country are as clean as possible.

In addition to the proposed rule to cut harmful NOx pollution from trucks, the Biden administration today made several other announcements about the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in cleaning up transit and school buses – all critical steps in protecting public health, charting a path to advance zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty fleet, and reducing climate pollution.

Ann Jaworski, ELPC Staff Attorney, said: “We welcome EPA’s proposal today to set stronger standards. ELPC will work to ensure EPA hears loud and clear that we need the toughest standards EPA can issue when this rule is finalized.

“EPA’s proposed stronger NOx emissions standards are vital for protecting the health of people living near highways and roadways with high truck traffic. The public health dangers of NOx emissions disproportionately impact low income communities and communities of color, and the health of sensitive populations, including children with asthma.

“Lowering NOx emissions in our cities means that people will be breathing less directly harmful NOx pollution, and less of the ozone and particulate matter pollution to which NOx emissions contribute.”