ICSA reported that, shortly before the inauguration of President Trump to a second term, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew its request for a waiver from U.S. EPA – a waiver that would have authorized its punishing Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule among other controversial emissions rules.
Then Congress got into the act, passing three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions opposing California’s unworkable pollution rules, including the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation and the Low-NOx emissions rule that was much more stringent than the federal rule regulating NOx (nitrogen oxides) across the country. At the same time, a lawsuit challenging the rules was working its way through the courts.
The suit was filed by the Nebraska attorney general and the Nebraska Trucking Association and joined by 16 other states alleging that application of the ACF to all heavy-duty trucks operating in California – regardless of where they are based and licensed – constituted an action the states said would dramatically affect their trucking industries as well as their economies. CARB opted to settle the lawsuit out of court, announcing that it will repeal these emissions regulations.
This huge win for truckers validates the time and effort ICSA has spent opposing the California regulations and educating its members on the impact of such rules. However, we don’t doubt that a change in the White House could mean that California would re-apply for the waivers that grant it authority to regulate pollution from cars and trucks more strictly. ICSA and other trucking groups will be carefully monitoring CARB’s actions over the coming months and years.
No driver plans for a breakdown, but every driver should be ready for one. Mechanical issues, tire failures, or other unexpected problems can happen when you least expect it. Knowing how to safely bring your vehicle to a stop and protect yourself and others can help keep a minor inconvenience from becoming a serious incident.
For truckers, testing for marijuana continues. Just as with testing for cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and opioids, testing for marijuana will continue to be conducted on a pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty basis.
As temperatures rise, so do the risks associated with tires, brakes, and overall vehicle condition. Summer heat doesn’t just stress drivers, it amplifies mechanical weaknesses, making maintenance and inspections more important than ever.