Ending the Obama-era policy removes the rules that required trucks to cut pollution. The
The Trump administration has officially ended an Obama-era policy. This policy has created rules to limit pollution from big trucks since 2011. The EPA finished removing the 2009 rule that said greenhouse gases are dangerous to people. This means the EPA cannot enforce rules about greenhouse gas pollution from trucks, including the strict 2024 rules that pushed for more electric trucks.
“Today we remove more rules than ever before in the US—saving over $1.3 trillion,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at a ceremony with President Trump. He said the 2009 rule and all pollution limits for cars and trucks are gone. During a public comment period last year, groups like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said the Biden rules made new trucks too expensive, leading people to buy many older, less efficient trucks. They say ending the policy will change how small trucking companies buy and use trucks.
OOIDA President Todd Spencer said electric trucks are too expensive and difficult for small companies to use due to their high cost, reliability concerns, and insufficient charging infrastructure. He also said that affordable and reliable trucks are important for small businesses. He wants to work with the EPA to fix other rules that make it hard for truckers to work. With the rule change, buying new regular trucks should cost less, and truck makers no longer have to sell a certain number of electric trucks. People who care about the environment are likely to sue, arguing that climate change remains a serious problem. But the EPA says Supreme Court decisions now limit agencies’ power to make major rules without Congressional Authorization.
