California Truckers Take EPA to Court Over Emissions Rules

Fox News ^ | 1/6/12 | Claudia Cowen

[Nachum]

For the first time, the federal government is regulating big-rigs, RV's, and tractor-trailers in much the same way it's held car makers to rigorous fuel efficiency standards for decades. But a group of California truckers contends the regulations will drive them right out of business -- and has filed suit to block them. The Environmental Protection Agency is ordering large trucks and buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 percent and overhaul engine design starting with models built in 2014. Most operators will need to spend thousands upgrading their rigs or buying new vehicles,

[eyeamok]

from the article “The ATA’s Bill Graves denies that’s the case, and argues the new regulations will lead to a major goal for the transportation industry — lower fuel costs.

“The rule is about being more fuel efficient. Over the long haul, this has got to be positive for anybody in the trucking industry,” he says. “”

Where in the world do morons like this come from, It has NOTHING to do with either, Any truck Driver that belongs to this group should quit today. What a Buffoon

[Excellence]

Okay, what’s the difference between “big rigs” and “tractor-trailers”?

[Jeff Chandler]

Nothing.

[meatloaf]

I think truckers already got an exception for the additional weight imposed by the auxiliary power units to contend with anti-idling laws. There’s no doubt that between the extra equipment scabbed onto diesels since 2007 and the other BS stuff, engine manufacturers are going to be hard pressed to get that 20% while meeting emissions requirements. It still comes down to moving upwards of 80,000 lbs down the highway and doing that with equipment that doesn’t end up in the shop more than the equipment built years ago.

This will take a combined effort by the truck builders and their compent suppliers. I wish them luck. If I was a trucker I’d keep an older unit well maintained and rebuild major units of the power train as necessary and restrict my running where I could still operate with an older truck.

[Lazamataz]

Without the removal of Obama from office, America is quite doomed. Hell, it might already be too late.

[MarkL]

Exactly... Most of the people coming up with these regulations know NOTHING about what they're trying to regulate, nor the repercussions of those regulations...

"What's the big deal, just buy a new truck." What's a modern diesel big-rig going for these days? Nearly $200,000?

And the maintenance on these rigs, as well as the upgrades for existing rigs will drive many owner/operators right out of business.

Mark

[razorback-bert]

What about Mexician trucks, excempt?

[Svartalfiar]

“The rule is about being more fuel efficient. Over the long haul, this has got to be positive for anybody in the trucking industry,” he says. “”

Yes, and we would be more energy-efficient if we had more nuclear power and everyone's house had solar panels installed. But either the government blocks it, or the upfront cost is just too much for most people to handle.

Paying $5k now to save $500 a year in the future doesn't make much sense if you don't know what happening a few years down the road, AND can't really afford that much right now.

[wayoverontheright]

Someone help me understand why the union rank and file don’t demand that their union bosses begin giving their political donations to the Republican party.

[hattend]

No connection at all to letting Mexican truckers finally roam the US highways without the same standards.

The Teamsters just aren’t the same since Hoffa was murdered.