Lankford Protects Oklahoma Truck Operators from Biden’s Climate-Change Agenda

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of Oklahoma heavy truck operators and businesses by voting to stop an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions rule regarding nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from medium and heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles. The measure passed.

“The price of everything is up because of the Biden policies and the dramatic overspending of our federal government,
 said Lankford. “This is yet another regulation forced on the American people that will drive up prices even more. Americans welcome energy efficiency, when it is affordable and available, but this regulation requires will increase the price of diesel trucks by almost $50,000, if they can even get the parts for the upgrade. The even more expensive alternative of electrifying long haul trucking is decades away from reality without enough electric charging stations for the batteries and materials mostly made in China. Oklahomans have had enough. I’m standing up for Oklahoma businesses and workers and against Biden’s progressive climate-change agenda.”

Lankford joined Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and 32 Senate colleagues to introduce the resolution to overturn this excessive Biden Administration regulation. The EPA’s latest rule would be challenging to implement and make new, compliant trucks cost prohibitive for small business owners.

EPA’s final rule, which Lankford opposes, aims to reduce NOx emissions for heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in Model Year 2027 by 90 percent by 2031. The final rule under Biden’s “Clean Truck Plan” aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants over the next three years, but estimates suggest this rule could raise the price of heavy-duty diesel trucks by an average of $42,000 and increase operating costs.

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