Trump admin to consider new truck pollution rule

The Trump administration is planning to formally consider major new restrictions on a key pollutant produced by heavy-duty diesel trucks.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is due to kick off the consideration process this week for a regulation that would further restrict allowable nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from big trucks, two sources familiar with the initiative said. Reuters first reported the plans Monday.

{mosads}The rule would be a rare move by the Trump administration to consider a stringent new regulation. In contrast, the EPA under President Trump has taken dozens of actions intended to roll back or eliminate regulations.

NOx, which is emitted by diesel engines, is one of the main components of ozone. Ozone is a respiratory irritant and his linked to ailments like asthma attacks.

A group of state and local government regulators petitioned the EPA in 2016, under the Obama administration, to restrict allowable NOx emissions from big trucks by 90 percent. The group was led by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The EPA responded to the petition later in 2016, saying it would consider the request. The trucking and truck sales industries told EPA they supported the effort, though did not specifically endorse the petition.

The EPA did not respond to a request for comment Monday.