In a move against the Biden administration's new emissions regulations for heavy-duty vehicles, a broad coalition of the top U.S. agricultural and energy organizations have united to file a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The coalition, which includes the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API), argues that the stringent emissions rules will impose undue economic burdens on multiple sectors.
The EPA's newly introduced regulations aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from trucks. However, the coalition contends that the rule will result in steep compliance costs and logistical challenges for industries reliant on heavy-duty transportation.
The NCGA believes that while environmental protection is crucial, the new rules are excessively stringent and could financially strain farmers and truckers already operating on tight margins. This financial pressure might lead to higher costs for consumers as well.
Filed in federal court, the lawsuit emphasizes the disproportionate impact on rural and agricultural communities. Farmers, who rely heavily on trucks for transporting goods, fear that increased costs could ripple through the supply chain, affecting everything from crop prices to the availability of farm supplies. The coalition also includes prominent players from the oil industry, who argue that the rules could hinder the transport of essential fuels, further straining the economy.
The API shares these concerns about the potential for widespread economic harm. The organization believes that the Biden administration has gone beyond its authority with the new emissions rules.
While the oil and ethanol industries frequently disagree on U.S. biofuels mandates, they typically work with each other to protect gas-powered engines. The Renewable Fuels Association, a prominent ethanol lobby, and the National Farmers Union have also filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA's regulations for light and medium-duty vehicles.
Source: mintecglobal.com