EPA's McCarthy Praises SmartWay, Hints at New GHG Rule

SAN DIEGO — EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy praised trucking for its cooperation with her agency on the voluntary SmartWay energy conservation program, now 10 years old, and gave some hints on the shape of the new greenhouse gas rule now before the Environmental Protection Agency.

McCarthy spoke here Oct. 7 to American Trucking Associations' main event and said she wants to "reduce pollution and have a growing industry." She said her people have talked to trucking companies and truck makers to gather input for a rule that would be "aggressive but reasonable."

EPA is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to write a rule for Phase 2 of greenhouse gas regulations on heavy- and medium-duty trucks. McCarthy said a proposal will come out in the spring. The agency's current activity on the rule includes identifying the technologies that might be included, McCarthy said.

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TRANSCRIPT: McCarthy's remarks

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ATA attorney Glen Kedzie said ATA staff has already started working with EPA and that the federation is eager for trucks to be thoroughly tested before the rule takes effect.

"There will be engine, vehicle and trailer targets in this rule, and each will come with a price tag for the industry," said Kedzie, who added that the California Air Resources Board will also play a significant role in the rule-making process.

After her appearance at ATA's Management Conference & Exhibition, McCarthy said she would travel to the border between San Diego and Tijuana to check on water quality issues.