ATA, Others Seek Meeting With EPA to Head Off Tougher Particulate Rules

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merican Trucking Associations has joined 11 other trade associations requesting a meeting with Environmental Protection Agency officials to try to head off possible tightening of air quality standards for fine particulate matter in the agency’s planned review of a 1997 regulation.

Stricter soot regulations could mean trucks would have to be retrofitted with particulate matter filters, said Glen Kedzie, environmental counsel for ATA.

“The 2007 engines will be the cleanest we’ve ever seen, but how do you fix older trucks? With control devices,” Kedzie said, adding that PM filters could cost $8,000 to $10,000 per truck.

In a July 20 letter to Jeff Holmstead, EPA assistant administrator for air and radiation, the group said EPA had not updated health studies it used to set the regulations and the associations were concerned EPA would implement stricter standards without considering new studies.

For the full story, see the Aug. 2 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.