Reducing our Carbon Footprint One Vehicle at a Time

In one of many recent efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, the federal government has proposed putting new restrictions on heavy vehicles. On Monday October 23 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that heavy vehicles could be restricted by regulations on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the first time in the nation’s history. The new regulations would affect heavy duty pick-up trucks and vans as well as vocational trucks, including everything from delivery trucks to school buses and mobile homes. The policy, which will be going into effect next year if approved, would have different restrictions based on the size of a vehicle and its intended use. The mechanical regulations would apply not only to the engine but the entire vehicle, with mileage requirements imposed on all heavy vehicles produced between 2014 and 2018. According to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson the cost of more expensive new trucks will be offset by the saved cost of fuel while simultaneously reducing U.S. dependence on foreign fuel and improving the environment.

The EPA has published the proposed regulations and is providing a 60 day comment period during they will accept any suggestions regarding the proposed legislation. This is plebiscitary democracy at its finest. The people, whether directly involved with the government or not, will have an opportunity to express their views on this motion before any final decisions are made.