The聽American Trucking Associations聽(ATA) and the聽Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) are two industry trade groups worried that the intent announced by the聽Environmental Protection Agency last week to 鈥渞e-evaluate鈥� parts the聽Phase 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) and fuel efficiency rules聽could be setting the stage for California to impose 鈥渄e facto鈥� national standards on the country.
鈥淏y reopening the rule to聽re-examine trailers and glider kits, EPA has opened the door to California taking the lead, and a more aggressive track, in setting trailer standards,鈥� cautioned Chris Spear, ATA鈥檚 president and CEO, in a statement.
鈥淎TA believes a single national standard, set by federal regulators, is preferable to at worst, a patchwork of state standards or at best, a de facto national standard that is set without the appropriate opportunity for the entire regulated community 鈥� many members of which are not based in California 鈥� to weigh in,鈥� he said.
TRALA President and CEO Jake Jacoby is also concerned this may give the聽California Air Resources Board聽(CARB) an 鈥渙pportunity鈥� to enact a more stringent standard than what was finalized under the Phase 2 GHG rules last year.
“For a national industry to function efficiently, it is imperative that a national standard decided by the federal government is followed, and not a patchwork of states creating their own greenhouse gas standards,鈥� he explained in a statement.
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