Panel Delays Action on Emissions

SAN FRANCISCO — A proposal for American Trucking Associations to support uniform diesel emissions standards was placed on hold after much debate last week.

The Environmental Policy Committee voted to defer action on the issue until a more detailed policy can be developed. Concerns were raised about the impact national regulations would have on state emission testing programs.

“There was a lot of support for the uniform program, but in the end, the committee felt it needed more consideration of state issues,” said Allan Schaeffer, vice president of environmental affairs at ATA.

The delay came at the request of Illinois trucking companies, which are fighting legislation that would require both annual and spot testing of trucks in that state. Illinois has had emission standards since 1992, but they have never been enforced.

The ATA proposal was too open-ended and could have been used against the state association, said Chet Stranczek, president of Cresco Lines in Harvey, Ill.

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