MADISON, Wis. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), is accepting public comments regarding its federal clean trucks ruleUntil Monday, May 16. Wisconsin Environment, Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action (Wisconsin) and Masters Gallery Foods held a webinar on Thursday ahead of the deadline. Wisconsin Clean TrucksThis highlighted the benefits of cleaner trucks to the state. Heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses emit toxic air pollutants that can cause and exacerbate lung and heart diseases, from asthma to lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases. These vehicles also Emission of greenhouse gasesThey contribute to the climate crisis.
According to Wisconsin Environment Destination: Zero Carbon director, it is essential to reduce global warming by cleaning up the pollution from the largest trucks driving on our roads. Morgan Folger. From life-threatening heat wavessevere storms and FloodingAlready, the devastating effects of climate changes in Wisconsin were being felt. This rule must be strengthened by EPA in order to protect our lungs as well as our climate.
The webinar was a discussion between panelists about the threat of diesel pollution from buses and trucks and how strong action by the EPA could make it cleaner and speed up the transition to electric trucks. These speakers are:
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Dr. Victoria Gillet is a member of Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action
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Eric Jens, Director Supply Chain Logistics/Warehouse at Masters Gallery Foods
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Morgan Folger, Destination: Zero Carbon director, Wisconsin Environment
Transport is the second-largest contributorClimate change in Wisconsin is fueling extreme weather across Wisconsin, causing it to be a source of severe weather. Transportation-related pollution may also have disproportionately larger Health impactsThey emit more pollution than other sources and are therefore less likely to pollute the environment than other sources.
Dr. Victoria Gillet, a Milwaukee-based intern medicine specialist, stated that diesel-powered buses and trucks pollute our air with nitrogen oxides, ground-level oxygen, and particle pollution. From conception to death, patients are more likely to be exposed to these pollutants. This can lead to still births, preterm deliveries, delayed cognitive development, asthma, heart attacks and strokes, as well as cancerous and fatal heart attacks. It is absurd that breathing in air can make you sick.
Clean trucks, the EPA’s proposed rule, would limit smog-forming Nitro Oxides (NOx) and establish a standard for greenhouse gas emissions for trucks. Advocates asked the agency for stronger rules to push the truck industry to reduce pollution, and to accelerate the market for electric vehicles. Electric trucks offer businesses the opportunity to save money on fuel, maintenance, and reduce their environmental impact.
Masters Gallery Foods strives for products that are low in energy consumption and high in waste generation. Andy Pfister is vice president of procurement, industrial sales and marketing at Masters Gallery Foods. The Orange EV truck is in line with our sustainability efforts. It offers a significant increase of efficiency and longevity over diesels and reduces the frequency and necessity of replacing vehicles. Our goal is to make our terminal fleet completely electric by June 2023.
The federal climate action is uncertain in Congress so the Biden Administration must concentrate on executive agency actions to address the climate crisis. President Joe Biden’s goal to reach 500,000 clean trucks by 2020 can be achieved with the EPAs Clean Trucks Rule. Emissions reductions of 50% by 2030. Until Monday, May 16, members of the public may submit comments to EPA.
Folger concluded that cleaner trucks could provide cleaner air for Wisconsin. The EPA should return to the drawing board to develop a rule that will protect our climate and health.
