API, Truckers and Agriculture Organizations Take Next Legal Step Against EPA’s Emissions Rule for New Heavy-Duty Vehicles

WASHINGTON, October 17, 2024 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) late yesterday filed its opening brief in a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) heavy-duty (HD) vehicle emissions standards for model years (MY) 2027-2032.

“Americans overwhelmingly oppose the government telling them what to buy and drive, but this administration’s relentless pursuit of vehicle mandates does just that,” said API Senior Vice President and General Counsel Ryan Meyers. “EPA’s misguided effort to force electrification of America’s trucking industry is contrary to law and threatens to disrupt the nation’s supply chain, leaving consumers in the crosshairs. We are committed to holding the administration accountable in court for these unworkable and unpopular policy mandates that should immediately be rescinded.” 

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, National Corn Growers Association, and American Farm Bureau Federation previously joined API as co-petitioners in the lawsuit.

Earlier this month, API released polling finding a clear majority of voters across America’s battleground states, including 77% of voters in Michigan and 78% in Pennsylvania, oppose government mandates that restrict consumer choice, including banning new fuel and hybrid vehicles. 

In March, the Biden administration finalized new federal emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (including commercial vehicles). In the final rule, EPA projects that there would need to be significant deployment of zero emission vehicles (ZEV) throughout the HD fleet to meet emissions standards. For example, over 40% of vocational vehicles (work trucks) would need to be ZEVs by MY 2032. Additionally, long-haul tractors (semi-trucks) would need to increase from nearly zero today to 25% ZEV by MY 2032.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports nearly 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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