Energy Workforce hosted a briefing last week on the significance of recent EPA and state-level vehicle emissions regulations. Aaron Flyer, Senior Managing Associate, Sidley Austin LLP, gave an in-depth presentation on the impacts these regulations could have on fleet management in the sector.
The presentation focused on the recently released Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027, Later Light-Duty and Medium Duty Vehicles and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles—Phase 3, as well as California’s vehicle emissions regulations and how those impact states that have elected to follow California’s emissions rules.
Flyer gave insights into the feasibility of these standards, the potential legal challenges and how the motor vehicle industry was responding to these rules.
“The challenges that people are going to point to with this rule is feasibility. Can we even get enough lithium to make enough lithium ion batteries to power the fleet? Is there a national security impact? Does the grid have the capacity to handle this? There are a lot of externalities here that people will argue EPA has not fully assessed.”
Aaron Flyer, Sidley Austin LLP
Flyer discussed the history of similar emissions regulations and how they were enforced or modified, and outlined several scenarios on how these proposed rules might impact the industry long-term. Flyer’s analysis gave Member Company participants a specified look at the direct impacts these rules may have on operations of heavy, medium and light duty vehicles in their business practices.
The Energy Workforce Government Affairs team will continue to monitor and keep Members updated on these proposed EPA regulations and any subsequent federal and state level emissions regulations that may impact the industry.
If you are interested in Energy Workforce’s advocacy efforts or would like to join the Government Affairs Committee, contact Senior Director Government Affairs Deidre Kohlrus.
Deidre Almstead Kohlrus, Senior Director Government Affairs, writes about industry-specific policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
