EPA releases rules to lift fuel economy of big trucks, buses

The first national standards to curb greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency in large trucks and buses are projected to save 500 million barrels of oil over the lives of vehicles produced during the first five years of the program, according to a news release Monday from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

But the results will not be measurable until a decade after the program takes effect, an Arkansas-based fuel economist said, and may not have the far-reaching results the EPA is seeking.

The EPA joined with the Department of Transportation to release the proposal Monday, the first that will establish standards for heavy duty pickup trucks, tractor-trailers, buses and other large vehicles, the release stated.

Lisa P. Jackson, EPA administrator, said in the release that the program would save businesses money they could use to invest in new jobs in the United States rather than increasing dependence on foreign oil.

James L. Williams, economist with WTRG Economics in London, Ark., said the EPA’s program might help the country’s energy security somewhat or “not make it worse, at least.”

Two of the largest private fleets in the U.S. are based in Arkansas. No. 22 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Bentonville owns 6,891 tractors and No. 88 Tyson Foods Inc. in Springdale owns 2,500 tractors and 146 other trucks, according to the FleetOwner industry magazine’s Top 500 listing for 2010.

Tyson Foods Inc. spokesman Gary Mickelson said Monday that it was premature to say how the EPA rules might affect the Tyson fleet.

The two companies rank No. 3 and No. 10, respectively, in the listing of number of tractors owned.

Arkansas-based trucking firm J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. declined to comment Monday.

The company owns 1,749 fleet tractors, according to its third-quarter earnings report released in October.

According to the release, the program begins in 2014 and phases in a reduction of emissions and fuel efficiency improvement by 20 percent by 2018 for tractor trailer trucks and heavy-duty pickups and vans by 10 percent for gas vehicles and 15percent for diesel-powered motors.

Buses, motor homes and garbage trucks must cut emission and improve fuel efficiency by 10 percent by 2018.

While the first phase of the program in 2014 looks obtainable without too much expense, Williams said, it is not going to be a good deal for the trucking industry.

“It won’t get painful for them until the third or fourth year of the program,” Williams said. “As the standards get tougher, there will have to be a technology change. The goals cannot be achieved without significant technological advances. Eventually, we’re looking at a major redesign of truck power plants.”

Lane Kidd, spokesman for the Arkansas Trucking Association, said Monday that the group is usually supportive of the EPA’s position.

“What is totally unclear right now is what some manufacturers will actually charge for building trucks that meet these standards,” Kidd said.

Business, Pages 23 on 10/26/2010

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