Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: December 17, 2018
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the Cleaner Truck Initiative (CTI). The centerpiece of the initiative is a forthcoming rulemaking to decrease emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from heavy-duty trucks and engines. According to the EPA, the new rulemaking will lower emissions, while also streamlining regulatory compliance.
The EPA last addressed NOx standards for onroad heavy-duty trucks and buses in January 2001. While U.S. NOx emissions dropped by more than 40 percent from 2007 to 2017, the EPA expects that heavy-duty trucks will be responsible for one-third of NOx emissions from transportation in 2025. “Updating these standards will result in NOx reductions from mobile sources and could be one important way that allows areas across the U.S. to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and particulate matter,” the EPA said in a press statement announcing the initiative.
The EPA also plans to reduce regulatory burdens through its new emissions rulemaking. “The CTI will cut unnecessary red tape while simplifying certification of compliance requirements for heavy-duty trucks and engines,” the EPA stated. “Areas of deregulatory focus will include onboard diagnostic requirements, cost-effective means of reassuring real world compliance by using modern and advanced technologies, the deterioration factor testing process, and concerns regarding annual recertification of engine families.”
The EPA intends to publish a proposed rule in early 2020 after engaging with stakeholders.
The EPA’s new initiative stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s decision to rollback rules to impose stronger fuel-economy standards on light-duty vehicles. Beginning in 2010, the EPA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the California Air Resources Board established a single national program of greenhouse gas emissions standards for model year 2012-2025 vehicles. Under the Obama-era regulations, the standard for average fuel efficiency would increase to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
Last year, the EPA affirmed that the national standards were appropriate based on an extensive record of data. However, the agency announced in April that the fuel efficiency standards “may be too stringent” and should be revised.
One month later, New Jersey joined a coalition of 17 states in filing suit against the EPA. In a press release, the states said their lawsuit “seeks to set aside and hold unlawful the EPA’s effort to weaken the nation’s existing clean car rules … based on the fact that the EPA acted arbitrarily and capriciously, failed to follow its own regulations, and violated the Clean Air Act.”
In August, the EPA and NHTSA released a notice of proposed rulemaking, the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks (SAFE Vehicles Rule). It calls for freezing the model year 2020 standards of 35 miles-per-gallon through 2026. The proposed rule also calls for a national emissions standard, which would revoke the authority of states like California to enact tougher emissions standards.
Last month, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal joined the attorneys general of 20 other states in submitting a comment letter to the EPA that called on the agency to reconsider the SAFE Vehicles Rule. “It is time for Washington to step up to combat climate change, not fall down on the job,’’ Grewal said. ‘’Unfortunately, EPA is relying on flawed science and flawed policy to cut back on our country’s clean car rules.”
Emissions regulations are poised to be a key regulatory issue in 2019 and beyond. The attorneys of the Scarinci Hollenbeck Environmental Law Group will continue to monitor the proposed environmental regulations, as well as the related legal challenges.
If you have any questions or if you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact me, Hunain Sarwar, at 201-806-3364.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Since his inauguration two months ago, Donald Trump’s administration and the Congress it controls have indicated important upcoming policy changes. These changes will impact financial services policies and priorities. The changes will particularly affect cryptocurrency, as well as banking rules and regulations. Key Regulatory Changes in Cryptocurrency For example, in the burgeoning cryptocurrency business environment, […]
Author: Dan Brecher
The retail sector has experienced a wave of bankruptcy filings over the last year. Brick-and-mortar businesses in financial distress include big-name brands like Big Lots, Party City, The Container Store, and Vitamin Shoppe. When large retailers seek bankruptcy protection, they are not the only businesses impacted. Landlords can be particularly hard hit. While commercial landlords […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
The bankruptcy legal landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses navigating financial distress. Understanding current bankruptcy trends can help businesses make more informed and strategic decisions. Corporate Bankruptcy Filings Trending Upwards Bankruptcy filings continued to trend upwards in 2024. According to statistics released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, personal and business […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
In December, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges against two privately held companies for failing to file a Form D notice, which is generally utilized for exempt securities offerings. Here, the SEC’s enforcement sends a strong message: compliance with regulatory requirements is not optional and failure to comply can have significant consequences. […]
Author: Kenneth C. Oh
On February 14, 2025, the Office of General Counsel (OGC) of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) under Acting General Counsel William B. Cowen issued Memorandum 25-05, “New Process for More Efficient, Effective, Accessible and Transparent Case handling.” The Memorandum rescinds nearly all of the Memoranda issued by his direct predecessor, Jennifer Abruzzo, setting the […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
If you purchase real property from a foreign person or entity, you may be required to withhold taxes from your payment to the seller under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA). The federal tax law is designed to ensure that foreign sellers pay any applicable capital gains tax on profits realized from […]
Author: Jesse M. Dimitro
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!