Delaying “Tier 4” pollution standards would cost hundreds of lives, billions of dollars

(Washington, D.C.) A Trump EPA proposal to delay protections against air pollution from cars, SUVs, and passenger trucks would cause hundreds of early deaths and cost Americans billions of dollars in health harms according to an Environmental Defense Fund expert who testified before the agency today.

“EDF is opposed to any delay or weakening of the life-saving Tier 4 emissions standards that will significantly reduce air pollution from cars, passenger trucks, and SUVs,” said EDF’s Rishab Jagetia in his testimony. “A 2-year delay in these provisions will cause more serious heart and lung diseases and early deaths for Americans across the country and result in billions of dollars in health harms … Americans cannot afford to pay for pollution increases, whether with their lives or their wallets.”

The Trump EPA has proposed a two-year delay in implementing the 2024 “Tier 4” emissions standards, which reduce smog and soot-forming pollution from new light and medium-duty vehicles starting with model year 2027. These pollutants are extremely harmful – they penetrate deep into lungs and trigger asthma attacks and bronchitis, can permanently impair lung development in children, and are directly linked to heart attacks, strokes, and premature deaths. 

Protective emission standards for highway vehicles are a vital tool in reducing soot and smog in the air we breathe, and manufacturers are already including low-cost technologies on vehicles that can meet these standards and dramatically reduce this harmful pollution. However, the Trump EPA has still proposed to delay these life-saving protections.

Today the Trump EPA held a public hearing about its proposal. Jagetia joined dozens of people from across the country to strenuously oppose it. Read his full testimony here.