Washington, D.C.—In response to the finalized phase three heavy-duty vehicle emissions rule released today by the EPA, General Charles F. Wald, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), member of SAFE’s Energy Security Leadership Council and Former Deputy Commander of U.S. European Command, issued the following statement:
“Today’s new emissions rule for heavy-duty vehicles, combined with last week’s announcement of new emission rules for light- and medium-duty vehicles, will underpin a massive shift away from oil dependence for America’s transportation system—we applaud these rules in the context of our continued vulnerability to oil price volatility and its impact on our strategic interests.
As U.S. defense officials have urged Ukraine against striking Russian oil refineries due to the oil price implications, and recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have shifted global oil and cargo shipments, we are constantly reminded of the need to continue diversifying away from oil. These rules accomplish just that.
We look forward to working with all parties on a strategy that pushes for rapid adoption of these new transportation technologies with transparent, secure, and high-integrity mineral and battery supply chains.”
Heavy-duty vehicles comprise 5% of vehicles on the road but account for over 20% of petroleum fuel consumption in the transportation sector. This rulemaking strikes an appropriate balance between acknowledging that America’s large vehicle fleet will need to maintain a mix of fuel sources—including oil—in the near-term, while encouraging the industry to move toward a mix of battery electric and fuel cell vehicles in the long-term.
SAFE has promoted robust fuel efficiency rules as part of a comprehensive energy security strategy for 20 years and supported the inclusion of heavy-duty vehicle standards in 2007’s Energy Independence and Security Act. Leveraging advances in vehicle technology to increase supply chain resilience, create domestic manufacturing jobs, and break oil’s monopoly on our transportation system should be a nonpartisan issue.
About SAFE
SAFE is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization committed to transportation, energy, and supply chain policies that advance the economic and national security of the United States, its partners, and allies. SAFE has convened business and former military leaders since 2004 to support secure, resilient, and sustainable energy solutions. Visit secureenergy.org to learn more.
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Leslie Hayward
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