Karol Smith
In a concerted effort to challenge new federal regulations, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is spearheading a coalition of 24 states against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The legal action, known as Nebraska v. EPA, targets a rule introduced by the Biden-Harris administration aimed at transforming emission standards for heavy-duty trucks.
The contested regulation, released in April by the EPA, sets forth rigorous tailpipe emissions standards, effectively pressuring manufacturers to shift from internal-combustion engines to electric vehicles. According to Hilgers, this mandate exceeds the agency’s jurisdiction as Congress has not granted explicit authorization to the EPA for such a significant shift.
The coalition argues that the new rule aims to amplify the number of battery-powered heavy-duty trucks from a mere 0.10% of sales today to a significant 45% within a decade. Hilgers expressed concerns that this move could increase consumer prices and place undue stress on various sectors integral to the Nebraska economy, such as logistics and agriculture. He emphasized that such an impactful decision should reside with Congress, rather than being determined by federal bureaucrats.
In their brief, the states assert that mandating electric heavy-duty vehicles represents a dramatic policy shift previously unheard of at the federal level. They argue that this decision bypasses essential debates that should include Congressional input.
Supporting Nebraska in this legal endeavor are attorneys general from states including Alabama, Utah, and Virginia, among others, demonstrating widespread opposition to the EPA’s electric-truck mandate.
