Senate passes resolution to cancel Biden truck emissions rule
Jeremy Beaman
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The Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to cancel the Environmental Protection Agency’s heavy-duty vehicle emissions rule, the latest in a line of similar measures advanced under the Congressional Review Act targeting the administration’s environmental regulations.
The measure passed 50-49, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) joining Republicans to cancel the rule.
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Backers of the resolution argued the final rule, which tightens the regulation of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from heavy-duty vehicles, is too onerous and will make vehicles like heavy trucks prohibitively expensive.
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the measure in February. Dozens of other Republicans co-sponsored it.
“As families suffer under the burden of high inflation, the last thing we need are more expensive freight costs and fewer truckers,” Fischer said. “Today, the Senate took bipartisan action to stop yet another aggressive Biden regulation that would drive up costs for consumers, increase vehicle costs, and hurt good-paying jobs.”
Proponents, including some trucking trade groups, said the rule would penalize a sector critical to the functioning of the economy in trucking and that the sector has significantly reduced nitrogen oxides under existing regulations.
EPA finalized the rule in December and estimated it would reduce the risk of respiratory and other illnesses from vehicle emissions and result in between 860 and 2,900 fewer premature deaths in 2045.
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The rule took effect in March, but its strictures don’t apply until model year 2027 vehicles. Costs associated with the program were estimated to range from $3.9 billion in 2027 to $4.7 billion in 2045.
Manchin called the regulations “oppressive” and said they will raise prices for consumers.
“When our country faces record-high inflation and vulnerable supply chains, we cannot let the EPA continue to seize unrestrained power and create regulations that devastate our economy,” he said.
Congress has approved multiple other CRA resolutions of disapproval, including one to cancel the Biden administration’s clean water rule. President Joe Biden vetoed the resolution earlier this month.