The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new and stronger clean air standards for heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year 2027.
The proposed standards are aimed at reducing emissions of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines and setting updated greenhouse gas standards for certain commercial vehicle categories.
The new proposed rule can be read here.
This rule has been brought forward as a part of President Joe Biden’s executive order, “Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks,” which pushes for reduced emissions from heavy duty trucks and the goal of 50 percent of all vehicles and light trucks being zero-emission vehicles by 2030.
Because the new standards will likely impact certain drilling rigs and other commercial motor vehicles used in the groundwater industry, NGWA will be working with its members on formulating an official position on the proposed standards.
“A concern I often hear from our members is that drilling rigs travel much shorter distances and are on the road much less than traditional heavy duty CMVs,” NGWA Public Relations and Government Affairs Manager Ben Frech said, “and because of this, a one-size-fits-all standard does not always make much sense, especially when you factor in the additional cost that comes with them.”
The EPA is planning an official hearing on the new standards and additional stakeholder outreach, but no date has been announced.
For more information or to share your opinion with NGWA, contact Frech at bfrech@ngwa.org.