June 7th, 2008 → 1:45 pm @ LiberalTrucker // No Comments
LiberalTrucker contributed this post for Masslogics Trucking News. The trucking industry is taking a beating not only from high prices of diesel but also from the environmentalists and health fanatics.
Trucks have been the backbone of the American transport industry. From the very beginning, trucks have played an important role in the transport of goods across the country. There are 1000′s of trucks on almost every highway in the nation. While essential and ubiquitous, they have also earned a less desireable reputation. They crowd the roads, congest the highways, are involved in accidents, and pollute the environment.
Trucks burn diesel fuel causing emission of dangerous particles which have health risks. In many parts if the country, these sulfur and nitrogen particles have been shown to worsen asthmatic attacks.
Before the Clean Air Act of 1970, the USA had no national emissions standards for either cars or trucks. With growing awareness of pollution from fuels, strict regulations, better engine technology, and reformulated gasoline were developed. These advances have significantly decreased the amount of pollution from vehicles over the last 3 decades. The EPA estimates that today’s automobile emits 75 – 90% less pollution for each mile driven than cars built before 1970.
The same goes for the newer heavy-duty trucks which have become more environmentally friendly. Today’s large trucks emit nearly 70% less nitrogen oxide and other particles compared to vehicles built in the 1980s.
However, there are still a fair number of older trucks still running around and the ARB has now taken significant steps to clean up the diesel churning trucks. Numerous regulations have been proposed to make it mandatory for trucks to clean up through retrofits or upgrading to newer vehicles
Hopefully, approving and executing regulations that will reduce diesel pollution from trucks will safeguard public health, meet federal air quality standards, and reduce cancer risks for everyone.
Tags: Enviromental, regulation, trucking