With a pair of public hearing in the books, the trucking industry can now officially submit comments on the proposed rulemaking that seeks to create fuel mileage and emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believe medium- and heavy-duty trucks can obtain 10 to 20 percent better fuel economy and 20 percent reductions in harmful emissions using technology that exists today. The regulators say a final rule could be in place by the end of July 2011, targeting model years 2014-2018 for the improvements to be made at the manufacturing level.

The numbers for fuel consumption and emissions are based on goals set in May by President Obama.

NHTSA officially published the proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register on Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Regulators are seeking comments on the 306-page proposed rulemaking as well as NHTSA’s draft environmental impact statement, which is a supplement to the proposed rule.

The EPA and NHTSA will accept comments on the proposed rulemaking for 60 days, with comments due on or before Jan. 31, 2011.

OOIDA is preparing to submit comments on the proposed regulation.

According to the EPA and NHTSA, the proposed rules would affect combination tractors, heavy-duty pickups and vans, and vocational vehicles, model years 2014-2018, at the manufacturing level. Criteria such as aerodynamics, lighter materials, speed limiters and anti-idling technology make the list of “existing technology” that could be implemented.

OOIDA leadership is concerned with the additional costs that will be added to new trucks. Association leadership believes many small-business truckers may not be able to afford new trucks and will therefore hold on to equipment longer.

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