America Needs Serious National Leadership to Reduce Pollution from Heavy Duty Trucks

“We have known for a long time that our nation needs to reduce the amount of dangerous pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses. Environmental Defense Fund and many others formally petitioned EPA to take protective action. Several states have been working on standards to protect millions of people from the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) pollution that contributes to unhealthy smog and the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. We need serious national leadership to protect all Americans.

“NOx pollution is a main component of smog. It has been linked to asthma attacks and other serious and sometimes fatal lung diseases. It is particularly dangerous for children and for anyone living near a highway or busy road, which means it disproportionately harms low income Americans and communities of color that have been afflicted with harmful pollution for far too long. The transportation sector is responsible for almost 60 percent of the NOx pollution in America and is the single largest source of climate pollution, and heavy-duty trucks are a major source of both dangerous NOx and climate pollution.

“EDF will be engaging in the rulemaking initiative that EPA Administrator Andy Wheeler announced today to ensure it protects all Americans and is anchored in collaboration with the leading states. Will EPA achieve meaningful reductions in the smog and climate pollution that is putting public health at risk? Will EPA protect the communities most affected because of their location near pollution hot spots by major roads? Will Trump’s EPA work with the numerous states that are already trying to protect millions of people from heavy-duty truck pollution, or will its proposal interfere with the states’ efforts? Will EPA support the development of the zero-emission technologies that will be crucial for making lasting progress toward protecting human health and the environment?

“EPA’s update to our nation’s heavy-duty truck standards must achieve science-based real world progress toward reducing unhealthy smog and climate pollution to protect the health and well-being of all Americans.”

- Vickie Patton, EDF General Counsel