The transportation industry has been pushing back against Federal emission regulations for a while, and now four U.S. Senators have joined the fight.
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) on Tuesday introduced the Transportation Freedom Act, a new "pro-America, pro-worker solution" Moreno's office says will "revitalize auto manufacturing and restore fairness in emissions regulations."
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH)
Key provisions include a 200% tax deduction for wages paid to American auto workers and the elimination of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 'Tailpipe' rule for automobiles and Phase 3 emission regulations on heavy trucks — both of which include adoption mandates for zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). The bill also seeks to eliminate California's ability to set its own emission goals, removing its ability to dictate national emissions policy, and revoke its zero-emission vehicle mandate.
Replacing those regulations would be a mandate for stable emission and fuel economy standards from 2027 to 2035, which the lawmaker states would ensure standards "be based on real-world feasibility and affordability."
[RELATED: Trump EPA orders review of California emissions waivers]
"Despite decades of investment and innovation and an on-going track record of cleaner and more efficient vehicles, American auto manufacturing has been under attack. Inconsistent regulations, foreign competition, and misguided policies from Washington, D.C. are pushing a great industry into a downward spiral of plant closures and job losses," Moreno writes. "The Biden administration’s heavy-handed emissions regulations, coupled with billions in taxpayer-funded electric vehicle (EV) subsidies have thoroughly distorted the marketplace, while hurting American workers, consumers, and automakers. Without action, the industry that represents 5% of GDP and helped build the American middle class will be permanently weakened."
As a former General Motors employee and longtime automobile dealer, Moreno adds "by restoring regulatory stability, this bill promotes real competition and investment, bringing back the golden age of American automobiles. This bill puts American workers and consumers first by restoring fairness, boosting investment, and ensuring the U.S. leads the world in auto innovation."
The bill has early support from fellow Senators Jim Justice (R-W.V.), Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Jim Banks (R-IN), as well as the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), multiple automotive manufacturers and the American Trucking Associations (ATA).
ATA believes the bill represents a critical step towards ensuring that future regulations are achievable, technology-neutral, and do not jeopardize the stability of America’s supply chain.
“Sixty trucks today emit the same amount as one truck manufactured in 1988. The trucking industry has proven our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint but, in recent years, some regulators have turned their backs on the collaborative model that made this monumental progress possible,” says ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.
“The trucking industry commends Sen. Bernie Moreno for introducing the Transportation Freedom Act, which would restore commonsense at EPA and put an end to states like California creating a patchwork of unachievable timelines and targets. His legislation will prevent price hikes for consumers, allow innovation to flourish, and foster achievable national standards that put us back on the path to lowering emissions without causing supply chain disruptions.”
