Latest news with #UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency
The Drive
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
EPA's Move to Trash Car Emission Regulations Has SEMA Thrilled, Automakers Cheering 'Vehicle Choice'
The latest car news, reviews, and features. The United States Environmental Protection Agency will be effectively canceling its legal authority to limit carbon emissions from the automotive industry, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday. Zeldin said that he is officially planning to a key 2009 declaration that asserted that greenhouse gas emissions pose a threat to public health and legally authorized the agency to regulate them. If finalized, this would erase the set limits on emissions from passenger cars and trucks, potentially alter the entire new car industry, and mark a huge shift for the aftermarket. Zeldin teased the news while being interviewed on the Ruthless podcast, and later delivered a statement at an Indianapolis truck dealer. He said that it could 'amount to the largest deregulatory action in the history of the United States.' It's hard to argue that. 'With this proposal, the Trump EPA is proposing to end 16 years of uncertainty for automakers and American consumers,' Zeldin said. 'In our work so far, many stakeholders have told me that the Obama and Biden EPAs twisted the law, ignored precedent, and warped science to achieve their preferred ends and stick American families with hundreds of billions of dollars in hidden taxes every single year. We heard loud and clear the concern that EPA's GHG emissions standards themselves, not carbon dioxide which the Finding never assessed independently, was the real threat to Americans' livelihoods. If finalized, rescinding the Endangerment Finding and resulting regulations would end $1 trillion or more in hidden taxes on American businesses and families.' This is big news, both for automotive manufacturers and third parties that develop performance parts. Caleb Jacobs Caleb Jacobs I reached out to the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association, or SEMA, for comment on the EPA's plan. By and large, it's pretty thrilled. That's not surprising since some of the companies SEMA represents have had their fair share of conflict regarding government enforcement of the Clean Air Act, and it's vocally opposed electric vehicle production mandates that stem from emissions targets set by the EPA. 'For years, we've witnessed firsthand the damage inflicted by the so-called 'endangerment' finding of 2009, including its brazen use by the EPA under previous administrations and by California to mandate the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) and ban the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles,' a statement from SEMA reads. 'ICE vehicles remain the bedrock upon which the American people—families, small businesses, and automotive enthusiasts—rely to live their best, most prosperous lives, and to ban them is an affront to the American way of life. 'SEMA thanks Administrator Zeldin and the Trump Administration for pursuing common-sense reforms that prioritize the American people and our nation's economy. This announcement marks a significant policy shift that preserves vehicle choice and strikes a blow to the coordinated, nationwide efforts of unelected activist policymakers and environmental groups to dictate the kinds of vehicles Americans can drive.' I also contacted the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents automakers like BMW, Ford, Stellantis, Toyota, Volkswagen, and more. The organization's president and CEO John Bozzella had the following to say: 'We're reviewing today's announcement covering the endangerment finding to understand what it means for U.S. vehicle emissions rules going forward. At the same time, there's no question the vehicle emissions regulations finalized under the previous administration aren't achievable and should be revised to reflect current market conditions, to keep the auto industry in America competitive, and to keep the industry on a path of vehicle choice and lower emissions.' If you've been paying attention, 'vehicle choice' or 'customer choice' has become the industry's preferred euphemism for 'We want to keep making gas-powered cars because that's what sells and we're losing our shirts on EVs.' While I don't doubt that at least some of the folks running major automakers truly believe they need to develop all-electric lineups for the good of the planet, these are massive corporations. The only way they're going to choose a money-losing path, like spending billions for decade to figure out affordable EVs or a real fast-charging network, is if they're forced to. And the American market is still incredibly important to all the big ones, especially as China's market favors its own products and their global EV efforts are taking sales from everyone everywhere else. One interesting possibility: what if this brings a surge in hybrid powertrains, as companies redirect electrification resources and know-how into a technology many consumers want and makes them money? That feels more likely than a parade of new naturally-aspirated V8 models, honestly. And given the fact that a different administration could change course again in just four years, that timeline isn't enough for automakers to make long-term changes. Probably the most immediate impact is that we'll see some cars that were scheduled to end production soon get their lives extended. Either way, if the EPA is really telling automakers it can do whatever it wants, even for a little while, this is going to get weird. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Al Jazeera
Trump administration moves to nix key finding on greenhouse gas emissions
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it plans to revoke a scientific finding on climate change that has served as the basis for key environmental and pollution regulations. In an interview on Tuesday, Lee Zeldin, President Donald Trump's pick to head the EPA, said that the agency would nix the 2009 'endangerment finding' that links emissions from motor vehicles to climate change and negative health impacts. Zeldin added that those who seek to reduce carbon emissions only highlight the negative effects. 'With regard to the endangerment finding, they'll say carbon dioxide is a pollutant and that's the end of it. They'll never acknowledge any type of benefit or need for carbon dioxide,' Zeldin told a right-wing podcast, Ruthless. 'It's important to note, and they don't, how important it is for the planet.' The 'endangerment finding' has been central to the justifications for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, including through vehicle emissions standards. The finding, issued under Democratic President Barack Obama, has become a frequent target of conservative lawmakers and fossil fuel companies, which have sought its repeal. Nevertheless, the 'endangerment finding' has withstood several legal challenges in court. Its revocation would be a continuation of the Trump administration's push to roll back environmental protections and slash regulations in the name of boosting the economy. The news agency Reuters reported last week that the EPA is also planning to scrap all greenhouse gas emissions standards on light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. In Tuesday's interview, Zeldin likewise positioned the repeal of the 'endangerment finding' as a boon to business. 'There are people who, in the name of climate change, are willing to bankrupt the country,' Zeldin said. 'They created this endangerment finding and then they are able to put all these regulations on vehicles, on airplanes, on stationary sources, to basically regulate out of existence, in many cases, a lot of segments of our economy.' Zeldin also touted the finding's revocation as the 'largest deregulatory action' in US history — and a potentially fatal blow to efforts to curb climate change. 'This has been referred to as basically driving a dagger into the heart of the climate change religion,' Zeldin said. A 2021 study from Harvard University's TH Chan School of Public Health found that a decrease in vehicle emissions helped bring the number of yearly deaths attributed to air pollution down from 27,700 in 2008 to 19,800 in 2017. The researchers credited that decline to a combination of federal regulations and technological improvements. They also noted that, if emissions had remained at the 2008 levels, the number of deaths would have instead risen to 48,200 by 2017. Supporters consider air pollution regulations to be a vital part of the effort to slow climate change and minimise adverse health effects. Trump, however, has defied scientific consensus on climate change and referred to it as a 'hoax'. Instead, he has pushed for the US to ramp up fossil fuel production, considered the primary contributor to climate change. Earlier this month, his energy secretary, Chris Wright, wrote a column for The Economist magazine arguing that climate change is 'not an existential crisis' but a 'byproduct of progress'. 'I am willing to take the modest negative trade-off for this legacy of human advancement,' Wright wrote. The United Nations has estimated that, between 2030 and 2050, climate change would contribute to 250,000 additional deaths per year, from issues related to tropical diseases like malaria, heat stress and food security.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BMI maintains average annual CPO futures price at RM4,150 per tonne this year
KUALA LUMPUR: BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, has maintained its view that the average annual price forecast for Bursa Malaysia-listed crude palm oil (CPO) futures contracts will trade at RM4,150 a tonne in 2025. In a note today, BMI said that as of the market's closure on June 27, front-month CPO contracts settled at RM3,986 per tonne, bringing the year-to-date average to RM4,360 per tonne. "Accordingly, we expect palm oil prices to trade between RM3,800 per tonne and RM4,000 per tonne for the remainder of 2025," it said. BMI said palm oil prices came under significant pressure throughout the second quarter (2Q), declining by 17.7 per cent in the quarter-to-date, driven by weaker global crude prices, improved Malaysian output and subdued demand. However, it said the market found some "support" in June following a brief rally, sparked by both geopolitical and policy developments. "Prices rose by around six per cent between June 12 and June 16, initially as global crude oil prices surged in the wake of the Israel-Iran conflict. "This rally was further reinforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement of sharply higher proposed biofuel blending targets for 2026 and 2027, with the 2026 target representing a 67.5 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) increase," it said. While these proposals primarily buoyed soya oil, the resulting strength in the broader edible oils complex also benefited palm oil prices, it added. Meanwhile, BMI expects Malaysian palm oil output to reach 19.5 million tonnes in the 2025/2026 season, representing a y-o-y increase of 0.5 per cent. "In our 1Q 2025 price forecast update, we highlighted that ongoing production challenges in Malaysia were providing support to palm oil prices, as data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board indicated a 5.9 per cent y-o-y reduction in crude palm oil output during 1Q 2025. "However, we also anticipated that Malaysian crude palm oil production would recover over the coming months," it said, adding this expectation has been validated as of the latest available monthly data (May), with cumulative output in April and May 2025 totalling 3.5 million tonnes, a y-o-y increase of 7.8 per cent. BMI said this recovery has helped alleviate some of the recent tightness in the global market, exerting downward pressure on prices.
Business Journals
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Missouri American Water keeps quality on tap
Missouri American Water has continued providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable water and wastewater service since 1886. With nearly 140 years of experience, the company has become a leader in the water and wastewater industry. Serving approximately 1.6 million Missourians, we strictly follow regulations that are set by local authorities as well as federal standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). We understand how important water and wastewater service is to daily life. When you need it, you expect it to be there. Water quality For 22 years, six of our treatment plants have been recognized with the Directors Award from the Partnership for Safe Water, a voluntary initiative developed by six prestigious drinking water organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For a second year in a row, Missouri American Water has won the Drinking Water Taste Test award at the joint MO-AWWA/MWEA conference. The company's Water Quality Reports are published online and are updated each spring. expand Investing in aging infrastructure Recently released grades from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, a comprehensive assessment of the nation's 18 major infrastructure categories, paint a grim and stagnant picture for water and wastewater systems across the U.S. Drinking water infrastructure received a grade of C-, while wastewater infrastructure earned a D+. These grades haven't changed or improved in the four years since the ASCE 2021 Report Card. With over 1 trillion dollars in infrastructure investments needed in water and wastewater across the country over the next two decades, Missouri American Water continues to work with local, state and federal leaders to provide expertise and investment in communities that need to strengthen their water and wastewater systems. Providing high quality water and wastewater service is our top priority. Customers and community leaders can view an interactive map of the company's pipe replacement projects. Projects are prioritized based on main break rate, system criticality and coordination with state and local governments. Passing of SB 4 Recently, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed a bill that will allow private utilities in Missouri to plan rates based on future costs versus historical costs. This helps utility companies, like Missouri American Water, plan for necessary investments while focusing on rate stability. Built-in projections help safeguard customers from being overcharged if actual costs are lower than estimated. Why Future Test Year is good public policy: Incentivizes greater infrastructure investment Attracts business and makes Missouri more competitive for economic development Aligns Missouri with most other states, which use modern rate-setting tools to balance customer protection and investment needs Keeps rates predictable by allowing utilities to invest in new technologies and perform necessary maintenance to improve reliability Excess charges will be refunded to customers if projected costs are overestimated, creating a fairer system where customers only pay for actual, justified expenses Helping Eureka solve water and wastewater challenges In 2022, Missouri American Water began providing water and wastewater service to the city of Eureka. Prior to the acquisition, the city found it increasingly difficult and costly to meet federal and state regulations and find personnel with the ability to operate the systems efficiently. Many residents complained about the aesthetic qualities of the city's drinking water which was supplied by wells. In addition to the purchase price of $28 million, Missouri American Water pledged to invest $37 million over the next 10 years to improve the city's water quality, upgrade aging infrastructure and maintain regulatory compliance. With the acquisition, we welcomed the city employees as our own. Construction of a five-mile pipeline to our St. Louis Treatment Plant was completed in late 2024. As of May, all Eureka residents and businesses are receiving water that is treated at our Central Plant in Chesterfield. The company is actively replacing aged meters with Advanced Meter Infrastructure. These investments will improve Eureka's water quality while allowing for proactive leak detection.
Hans India
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Cheating by manufacturers and tampering by owners leading to car pollution
Emission control systems in modern cars have slashed air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. But these systems face two major challenges: carmakers cheating on pollution tests and owner tampering. Cheating means high-polluting cars can be sold when they shouldn't be, while tampering can increase some pollutants up to 100 times. In our new research review, we found the impacts of cheating and tampering on emissions of pollutants are substantial across the globe. For instance, researchers in Spain found almost half the diesel trucks had been tampered with, while the Volkswagen Dieselgate cheating scandal uncovered in 2015 led to an estimated A$60 billion in health costs in the European Union. The solutions? Better detection of tampering, cheating and malfunctioning emission systems – and vigilance to get high polluting cars off the road. How did we get here? From the 1950s onwards, smog, air pollution and health issues from car exhausts led many regulators to require carmakers to reduce dangerous air pollutants. These days, modern combustion-engine cars are complex computer-controlled systems optimised to balance engine performance, durability and emission control. Authorities in many nations rely on testing to see if a new model is emitting at rates low enough to meet emission standards. Manufacturers can take advantage of the known quirks of official tests and intentionally alter how their vehicles operate during testing. To do this, they may install a 'defeat device', usually deep in the car's engine or its computer code. These devices shift the car to a special low-emissions mode if testing is detected. They're typically easy for the automaker to install and difficult to detect. Defeat devices are mainly found in diesel cars and trucks, since diesel emissions control systems are more complicated and expensive than petrol or LPG. Adding an emission control system to meet Euro 6 standards costs about $600 for a petrol car. For diesel, the cost can be three to five times higher. In 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the state of California announced Volkswagen had been using a software-based defeat device to make its diesel cars appear substantially cleaner. The scandal drew worldwide attention and cost the company about $50 billion. For those caught, large fines and mandatory recalls have followed. But this hasn't been enough to stop the practice. The way these tests are conducted usually must be disclosed by law to ensure transparency and make results comparable and repeatable. Unfortunately, having detailed knowledge of the tests makes it easier to cheat. Tampering by car owners Tampering is largely done by owners of diesel cars and trucks. Owners can tamper with emission control systems to improve performance, rebel against laws they don't agree with or avoid extra costs such as Adblue, a liquid needed to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions from diesel trucks. Tampering is usually illegal. But that hasn't stopped the production of aftermarket tampering devices, such as software which deactivates emission control systems. It's not necessarily illegal to sell these devices, but it is illegal to install and use them. In the road freight sector, the use of aftermarket tampering by vehicle owners also acts as an unfair economic advantage by undercutting responsible and law-abiding operators. Combustion engine cars and trucks will be on the world's roads for decades to come. Ensuring they run as cleanly as possible over their lifetime will require independent and in-service emissions testing. Authorities will also need to focus on enforcement. Creating an internationally agreed test protocol for the detection of defeat devices will also be necessary. Combating tampering by owners as well as malfunctioning emissions systems will require better detection efforts, either through on-road emissions testing or during a car service. One approach would be to add telemetry to the onboard diagnostics systems now common in modern cars. Telemetry radio transponders can report emissions problems to the owner and relevant authorities, who can then act. Shifting to EVs offers the most robust and cost-effective way to combat fraud and cut exhaust pollutants and carbon emissions from road transport. But this will take decades. Authorities need to ensure diesel and petrol vehicles run as cleanly as possible until they can be retired. (Robin Smit is associated with the University of Technology Sydney and Alberto Ayala is from West Virginia University)
