Federal Court Halts Implementation of EPA Trailer Regulation

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 27 halted implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) first ever regulation for truck trailers.
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The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 27 halted implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) first ever regulation for truck trailers.

In a brief order, the court wrote that the “Petitioner has satisfied the stringent requirements for a stay pending court review.” The judges have not yet scheduled oral arguments.

[Court Halts EPA’s Rule Regulating Big Trucks’ Trailers]

EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2016 finalized joint greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that require up to 25 percent lower carbon emissions and fuel consumption over the next decade.

It also contained EPA’s first-ever regulation aimed at making trailers more aerodynamic and more fuel efficient. That regulation was scheduled to take effect January 1 for model year 2018 for certain trailers. NHTSA's standards were set to take effect as of 2021.

The Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) challenged EPA’s authority to impose aerodynamic standards on the industry’s products arguing that EPA and NHTSA did not have the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate trailers or require them to be more fuel efficient since they are not “motor-vehicles.”

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