The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed on August 1 to remove regulations pertaining to standards for the control of greenhouse gas emissions from new light-, medium-, and heavy-duty (HD) vehicles and engines, including emission standards, test procedures, averaging, banking, and trading requirements (ABT), reporting requirements, and fleet-average emission requirements.
Reasons identified for removing these regulations include:
- Whether CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are air pollutants
- Consideration previously of pollutants at ground level
- Interference on setting of fuel economy standards
- Presidential policy of addressing global climate change through voluntary actions and incentives
- Research and technology
- The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding agencies’ interpretations of law going beyond the prescription of Congress.
As a result of these proposed changes, motor vehicle and engine manufacturers would no longer have future or current obligations for the measurement, control, or reporting of GHG emissions for any vehicle or engine, including for previously manufactured model-year vehicles.
NGWA submitted comments to the EPA on September 4 that ultimately conclude that relief from GHG emission controls for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks is appreciated as drill rigs and water contractor vehicles typically have a small area of service and are not used for long-distance travel compared to long-haul interstate carriers. In the long term, this action should hold down the cost of service related to movement and use of heavy-duty vehicles having drill rigs as well as light- and medium-duty trucks for well installation and maintenance.
“This is another step in managing control of future vehicle costs for well installation and maintenance and groundwater field work for the industry,” said NGWA CEO Terry S. Morse, CAE, CIC. “It supports making services affordable for groundwater users.”
Click here to read the proposal. Comments are due September 15 and can be submitted to regulations.gov using the Docket ID No.: EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194 for the proposed rule “Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards.”
Click here to read NGWA’s comments.