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Advocates Sound Alarm on Climate and Cancer Risks of Potential Trump Rollback on Electric Big Rigs and Buses – Inside Climate News

“Truck Emissions Threaten Progress on Heavy-Duty Vehicle Pollution Reduction”

The redevelopment of a 150-year-old South Philadelphia oil refinery into a warehouse hub has raised concerns among residents about the increase in truck emissions in the area. Mark Clincy, a resident in the predominantly Black neighborhood, expressed frustration over the pollution from diesel fuel emitted by the trucks. The arrival of fleets of tractor-trailers and delivery vehicles is expected to exacerbate the issue, with benzene, a carcinogen, being a particular concern for residents.

Transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with heavy-duty trucks accounting for nearly a quarter of the emissions. The Biden administration has implemented policies to reduce emissions from large commercial vehicles, including offering incentives such as tax credits for purchasing electric heavy-duty trucks and buses. These initiatives have been seen as transformative in decarbonizing the transportation sector.

However, with the transition to a second Trump administration, there is uncertainty about the future of these policies. Industry groups like the American Trucking Associations have expressed expectations of a change in direction, particularly in relation to environmental regulations. The potential rollback of these policies could hinder progress in reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.

Efforts to electrify school buses have been highlighted as a significant step in reducing emissions and improving air quality for children. The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, funded under the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to replace diesel buses with zero-emission models. Similar initiatives for heavy-duty vehicles, such as the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, have also been introduced to address pollution from older vehicles.

The fate of Clean Air Act waivers issued to California for implementing stringent air regulations, including rules for transitioning commercial trucking to zero-emission models, is also uncertain under a second Trump administration. The waivers impact a significant portion of heavy-duty vehicles across the country and could face legal challenges if rescinded.

Economic sociologist Steve Viscelli suggests a shift in the commercial trucking industry towards a two-tiered system to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. He believes that operational changes, such as using highly aerodynamic trucks for long hauls and electric cabs for urban delivery, could have a more significant impact on lowering greenhouse gas emissions than current strategies.

As the future of federal policies on emissions from heavy-duty vehicles remains uncertain, residents in neighborhoods near industrial sites like the former oil refinery in South Philadelphia continue to advocate for cleaner air and reduced pollution from truck emissions. The potential rollback of environmental regulations under a second Trump administration poses challenges to efforts to decarbonize the transportation sector and address air quality concerns in communities across the country.

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