Truckers Warn Pending Emissions Standards Could Hurt Already-ailing Industry

November 20, 2008 6:01 a.m. EST

Washington, DC (AHN) - A trucking industry group is warning that pending federal regulations for new diesel engines will result in less companies buying new trucks, and could have a negative economic and environmental impact.

The 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards call for engines that emit significantly lower air pollutants.

But Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the trade group the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said the new regulation will add up to $10,000 to the price of a new truck and could lead to a breakdown in the trucking industry.

"With record-high diesel fuel prices earlier this year, trucking companies have already faced nearly insurmountable challenges trying to stay in business," Spencer said in a statement. "It's the worst possible time for the trucking industry to take on a high-stakes gamble with no known level of reliability of the technologies or return on investment."

Spencer said the typical reaction to mandating strict emissions standards on new vehicles is a pre-buy of non-compliant vehicles before the new rules go into effect. He said the trucking industry is asking Congress and the Bush administration to implement a phase-in of the regulation.

"With more time, the solutions will become much clearer and environmentally much cleaners. Otherwise, there will be a delay in the intended environmental benefit because there is a disincentive to purchasing the new technology," Spencer said.