The letter below was sent to the Senate in opposition to S.J. Res 11 disapproving of EPA’s final rule on heavy-duty trucks. LCV will strongly consider including votes on S.J. Res 11 in the 2023 National Environmental Scorecard.

***

June 21, 2023
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Re: Oppose S.J. Res 11 disapproving of EPA’s final rule on heavy-duty trucks

Dear Senator:

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) believes that everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, accessible public lands, and a safe climate protected by a just and equitable democracy. Each year, LCV publishes the National Environmental Scorecard, which details the voting records of members of Congress on environmental legislation. The Scorecard is distributed to LCV members, concerned voters nationwide, and the media.  

LCV urges you to vote NO on the veto override vote of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to undo the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule entitled “Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards.” This resolution would block crucial limits on health-harming pollution from heavy-duty trucks, which are vital in reducing emissions, safeguarding the environment, and protecting public health. We support President Biden’s veto of this damaging resolution. 

The transportation sector is the largest source of climate pollution and is a major threat to public health. Heavy-duty vehicles like long-haul trucks and diesel buses produce about 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, and release dangerous air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx). Pollution from heavy-duty vehicles harms everyone but is especially hazardous to low-wealth communities and communities of color who live closest to major highways, freight hubs, and high-traffic areas. 

Last year, the Biden-Harris administration EPA finalized a rule to limit dangerous NOx pollution from trucks. S.J. Res 11 is a misguided attack on the administration’s successful efforts to cut harmful truck pollution and would set a dangerous precedent for rolling back other critical environmental and public health safeguards. 

As you may know, President Biden issued a veto of this resolution shortly after it passed in both chambers. If this veto were overridden, it would be one step towards dismantling reasonable limits on heavy-duty vehicle emissions.

We urge you to REJECT the veto override vote on the CRA resolution aiming to overturn the EPA rule on heavy-duty truck NOx emissions finalized last year. We will strongly consider including vote(s) on this bill in the 2023 Scorecard.  If you would like more information, please reach out to a member of our government relations team.  

Sincerely,
Gene Karpinski
President