Trump EPA Proposes to Withdraw Obama-Era Emission Rules for Glider Trucks

Recently, the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposal to reconsider the Obama-era findings on environmental dangers. This move is largely seen as a positive step. However, there’s a catch: it appears that part of this proposal will overlap with the previous Anti-Independent Truck Driver Rules established by the Obama administration.

Glider trucks, which utilize rebuilt engines and chassis while showcasing new cabs, are particularly popular among small independent carriers due to their approximately 25% lower cost compared to brand-new trucks. The concept behind gliders originated from a Tennessee mechanic named Tommy Fitzgerald, a strong Trump supporter, who successfully established a multi-million dollar glider business in the 1990s.

Back in 2016, the Obama EPA categorized glider trucks as new vehicles, requiring them to adhere to stringent new truck emission standards. The issue here is that these standards are only met under ideal, somewhat unrealistic conditions in lab tests. Emissions from glider engines do not significantly differ from those of new truck engines, despite what lab tests might suggest.

Critics argue that the Obama EPA’s rules regarding gliders were improperly instituted. Initially, the emission guidelines were set only for all-new trucks, but somehow, gliders were also classified as new trucks when the rules were finalized. There was no advance notice or opportunity for the glider truck industry to engage in the rule-making process. Furthermore, the Obama administration overlooked conducting a proper cost analysis for these rules, going against an executive order to assess such impacts.

In 2017, the Trump EPA aimed to repeal the Obama regulations that impacted gliders, yet this initiative faced significant hurdles—largely attributed to resistance within Washington. Various emails obtained through Freedom of Information requests revealed some questionable activities surrounding the EPA’s testing process.

Under the leadership of then-EPA Chief Scott Pruitt, there were allegations of rigged tests on glider trucks that involved engines supplied by the new truck industry, rather than the glider industry itself, leading to suboptimal testing conditions.

One truck was even tested while its “Check Engine” light was illuminated, and another had its engine harness drenched in motor oil during testing. The biodiesel used further exacerbated emissions. Congressman Bill Posey highlighted these collusions during a house hearing in 2018, stating that faulty testing protocols were contributing to misleading claims against gliders. The media and some politicians were then mobilized to prevent the Trump EPA from reversing Obama’s emission regulations.

At an EPA public meeting regarding the proposal, the new trucking industry voiced surprise at the emissions levels, even though the Trump EPA leadership was not adequately informed about or supportive of these claims.

This entire situation ironically led to the demise of the proposed Trump EPA changes after involvement from the Management and Budget Office. The absence of a proper cost analysis meant that the repercussions for glider manufacturers were severe, with several firms ceasing to sell glider kits to companies like Fitzgerald.

The recent indications from the Trump EPA suggest a potential reaffirmation of treating gliders as new trucks, which raises concerns about future emissions findings. It’s perplexing to label a truck with a new cab and an outdated engine as a new vehicle, right?

Moreover, a glider truck operating with a rebuilt engine is environmentally more beneficial than an old truck that’s on the verge of failure. Economically, gliders are advantageous for small trucking businesses, allowing them to compete with larger firms that operate with new trucks.

It’s vital for the Trump EPA to abandon these outdated Obama-era rules and establish guidelines that allow the glider industry to thrive without unnecessary limitations.