根據歐巴馬總統21日簽署的一份正式備忘錄，聯邦政府將首次針對中型、重型卡車與公車的溫室氣體排放進行管制，自2014年出廠的車輛開始實施。
「美國擁有機會領導世界發展新一代的潔淨汽車和卡車，而所需要的創新技術與生產製造，將會刺激經濟成長並創造高品質的國內就業機會，增加我們的能源安全，並且改善環境。」總統在備忘錄中如此寫道。
歐巴馬在白宮的簽署儀式上表示：「這個備忘錄將會降低貨物運輸成本，企業與消費者同樣受益。此舉將減少污染，這是由於貨運車輛排放的溫室氣體約佔運輸相關溫室氣體排放量的1/5。」
歐巴馬說：「我們估計，運用當今現有的技術便能提高燃料經濟性，如應用在聯結車上便可獲得高達25%的效益。而且，如同汽車相關的法規，此項標準將會刺激清潔能源領域的成長。」
除了中型與重型卡車的排放法規，備忘錄也說明規定將會涵蓋2014年到2018年出場的車輛。歐巴馬總統也指示，將擴大國家燃料效益與溫室氣體減量計畫，使其涵蓋2017年至2025年出廠的小客車與輕型卡車。」
「我們去年針對小客車與輕型卡車的標準將一直適用到2016年。」歐巴馬表示：「我建議我們現在就開始發展2017年開始生效的這個更新更高的標準，而讓我們能在未來幾年有愈來愈多的進展。」
這項新政策源自國家公路交通安全管理局(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)與環保署2010年4月1日發佈的共同立法(joint rulemaking)，其規範2012年至2016年出廠的小客車與輕型卡車的排放量。
現在，歐巴馬指示同樣的兩個機關，針對中型與重型卡車，訂定第一個國家政策以提高其燃料效益與降低溫室氣體污染。
這項新政策獲得卡車貨運產業與汽車製造商的支持。
Greenhouse gas emissions from medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks and buses will be regulated by the federal government for the first time beginning in model year 2014 under an official Memorandum issued today by President Barack Obama.
"America has the opportunity to lead the world in the development of a new generation of clean cars and trucks through innovative technologies and manufacturing that will spur economic growth and create high-quality domestic jobs, enhance our energy security, and improve our environment," the President says in the memorandum.
At the White House signing ceremony, Obama said, "This is going to bring down the costs for transportating goods, serving businesses and consumers alike. It will reduce pollution, given that freight vehicles produce roughly one fifth of the greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation."
"We estimate," said Obama, "that we can increase fuel economy by as much as 25 percent in tractor trailers using technologies that already exist today. And, just like the rule concerning cars, this standard will spur growth in the clean energy sector."
In addition to the medium and heavy truck emissions rule that will cover model years 2014 through 2018, President Obama also directed an extension of the national fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction program for cars and light-duty trucks from model year 2017 through 2025.
"The standard we set last year for cars and light trucks runs through 2016," said Obama. "I'm proposing we start developing right now a new and higher standard to take effect beginning 2017, so that we can make more and more progress in the years to come."
The new policy builds on the joint rulemaking issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency on April 1, 2010, which regulates emissions from passenger cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2012-2016.
Now, Obama is directing the same agencies to create the first national policy to increase fuel efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas pollution from medium weight and heavy-duty trucks.
The new policy has the support of the trucking industry and automobile manufacturers.
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
