2007 Emissions Study Released by GAO

The Government Accounting Office (GAO) last week released its report, “Air Pollution: EPA Could Take Additional Steps to Help Maximize the Benefits from the 2007 Diesel Emissions Standards,” on the potential impact of '07 standards on the trucking industry.

According to the report, there is concern that some fleets “will again buy more trucks with old engines before the deadline, disrupting industry operations and emissions benefits.”

GAO recommends that EPA “consider ways to address concerns about technology costs, reliability, and availability to meet the 2007 standards,” including formation of an independent review panel. In addition, the report suggests that the agency consider economic incentives “to encourage timely purchases of trucks with the new technologies.”

To view the report, go to http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04313.pdf.