EPA pushing for ’50-state program’ to standardize emission regs

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Updated Jan 29, 2021
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EPA logoThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced it is eyeing new federal regulations to further tighten heavy-duty truck emissions and to create a so-called “50-state program” that harmonizes emissions standards nationally.

The move comes just four years after EPA finalized a sweeping set of regulations aimed at cutting emissions from heavy-duty trucks and tractors by 25 percent by 2026.

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Monday announced an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) intended to seek input from the public and from trucking industry stakeholders about the next phase of regulations — chiefly, means to curb output of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other pollutants, Wheeler said.

Wheeler was flanked by representatives from the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) and the Diesel Technology Forum at Monday’s announcement.

“The U.S. has made major reductions in NOx emissions, but through this initiative we will continue to reduce emissions, while spurring innovative new technologies, ensuring heavy-duty trucks are clean and remain a competitive method of transportation,” Wheeler says.

The 97-page ANPRM was posted online Monday by EPA, though it hasn’t yet been published in the Federal Register. Once published, stakeholders and the public can comment for 30 days. In Wheeler’s address Monday and in the ANPRM EPA says it intends to work more closely with manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to develop the new regulations.

However, any formal regulations stemming from the ANPRM are likely years away, as rulemakings generally take several years to move from the ANPRM stage to a final, published rule.

In the document, EPA credits previous rounds of emissions regulations — and technologies like exhaust aftertreatment — with reducing heavy-duty truck tailpipe emissions of NOx and particulate matter by 90 percent. Likewise, EPA said it didn’t want to interfere with the industry’s ongoing work to meet Phase II tractor-trailer regulations finalized in 2016.

However, EPA says it has identified high NOx emissions during engine warmup and idling periods and when emissions controls deteriorate over time, as well as in crankcases that can emit emissions. These areas, as well as an overhaul of engine certification procedures, are targets for the next phase of emissions standards, the ANPRM notes.

Per EPA’s notice, “Heavy-duty vehicles continue to be a significant source of NOx emissions now and into the future. While the mobile source NOx inventory is projected to decrease over time, recent emissions modeling indicates that heavy-duty vehicles will continue to be one of the largest contributors to mobile source NOx emissions nationwide in 2028.”

EPA points to California’s stringent emissions standards as a potential example to follow — an area where EPA specifically requests input from the public and from industry stakeholders. However, EPA says it will press for a coordinated approach to emissions standards, mostly intended to block states from pursuing their own programs and making it easier for engine and vehicle manufacturers (and other industry stakeholders) to develop and implement emissions reductions tech.

Other areas EPA says it seeks input are around emissions control and monitoring technologies; durability of emissions control systems like exhaust aftertreatment; fuel quality; hybrid, battery-electric power, fuel cell and other alternative fuels; emissions testing and certification procedures; “in-use” standards (which would require vehicles to meet emissions standards at certain mileage thresholds); emissions education and incentives; longer warranties for emissions control systems and more.

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