Sen. Fischer reacts to veto on her emissions bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska reacted to President Joe Biden’s veto of her legislation that would have overturned new environmental rules on freight trucks.

Sen.  Fischer said the new trucking regulations will raise costs for consumers and devastate the trucking industry.

Her legislation previously passed both Houses of Congress but was vetoed by President Biden on June 14.

In a statement, Fischer said she will continue to fight to protect Nebraskans and the economy from the devastating impact of more government overreach.

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized its new emission standards in 2022 and set new standards for air pollutants including nitrogen oxide,  hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.

The  EPA estimates a cost of $8,000 to equip each new truck to meet the standards, but Fischer’s press release says the cost is more likely around $42,000 per truck.

She said the higher cost for new trucks will incentivize keeping older, higher-emitting trucks in service longer.

The Senate voted 50 to 49 to overturn EPA rules that cut smog and soot forming emissions for heavy-duty trucks, but the President vetoed that action.

The new emission rules are considered the first to update the clean air standards for trucks in more than two decades.