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NEWS IN BRIEF, American Trucking Associations and, as a result, we have achieved
Continued from page 14 commended the Environmental historic reductions in emissions of all
Protection Agency for taking the first kinds. That is a track record we are not
In May, the helicopter lifted off step in reviewing and implementing only proud of but that we look forward
the ground for its first hover, and in new standards for NOx emissions from to continuing into the future.”
November, Quantum XYZ, an on- heavy trucks. As part of this effort, ATA is
demand air travel company, placed a “As an industry engaged in inter- convening a task force to weigh
pre-order to begin a Los Angeles-based state commerce, ATA strongly favors solutions and principles to address the
air taxi service. a single national emission pathway as issue of NOx emissions.
“We invite a future where safe, opposed to a patchwork of state stan-
on-demand air travel is as ubiquitous as dards,” said ATA Executive Vice President GREER WOODRUFF EARNS
car service, a future in which aircrafts of Advocacy Bill Sullivan. “Clean air and HIGHWAY TO VICTORY AWARD
consume half the energy but generate a healthy environment are important to Arkansas’ Greer Woodruff, senior
twice the fun. We’re excited to partner all of us and the trucking industry has vice president of safety, security and
with Workhorse in our efforts to bring repeatedly demonstrated that it can work driver personnel at J.B. Hunt Transport
the first Urban VTOL air carrier service proactively and in partnership with the Services, was among those honored by
to market, starting with a SureFly launch federal government in achieving these American Trucking Associations Image
fleet in Los Angeles,” stated Zeeshan aims. We look forward to working with and Advocacy Awards. Woodruff won
Moha, Vice President and Chief Route the EPA in developing a standard that ATA’s Highway to Victory Award, which
Architect of Quantum XYZ. achieves nationwide air quality improve- acknowledges outstanding industry
Working with the Federal Aviation ments across the country while main- advocacy efforts.
Administration, Workhorse hopes to taining a strong and robust economy.” The Highway to Victory Award is
have its first model to customers by 2021. According to the EPA’s initiative given to someone who has championed
summary, “Updating these standards the associations’ legislative agenda and
EPA TO TIGHTEN EMISSIONS will result in NOx reductions from has gone well above and beyond in pro-
STANDARDS FOR TRUCKS mobile sources and could be one impor- moting and advocating for the top legis-
tant way that allows areas across the U.S. lative interests of the trucking industry.
to meet National Ambient Air Quality of Representatives Committee on
While testifying before the House
Photo: Eric Miller–Transport Topics matter. Updating the standards will also Transportation and Infrastructure,
Standards for ozone and particulate
Woodruff shared trucking’s safety story,
offer opportunities to reduce regula-
telling Members of Congress that safety
tory burden through smarter program
design.”
is the industry’s number one priority,
“This initiative will help modern-
annually on safety.
 ATA's Bill Sullivan speaks at an EPA ize heavy-duty truck engines, improving and that trucking spends over $9 billion
their efficiency and providing cleaner air
Bill Sullivan, EVP of advocacy for
press conference Nov. 13 for all Americans,” EPA acting admin- the American Trucking Associations, said
Despite the recent regulatory roll- istrator Andrew Wheeler said. “We the award is like “the Heisman Trophy of
backs, the Environmental Protection are under no regulatory or court order Advocacy” and one of the most signifi-
Agency announced in November that it requirements to launch this initiative. cant honors ATA bestows.
will pursue more stringent restrictions We are doing it because it’s good for the “Indeed, this individual has
on pollution from heavy-duty trucks. environment.” been a safety warrior for the industry
The Cleaner Trucks Initiative is a “Clean air is an issue that affects for years, spearheading our advocacy
future rulemaking to update standards all of us,” said ATA Vice President, efforts on Electronic Logging Devices,
for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions Energy & Environmental Affairs Counsel Hours of Service, Autonomous Vehicle
from heavy-duty trucks and engines. Glen Kedzie. “ATA has worked with Technologies and Hair Testing,” Sullivan
NOx emissions standards for these vehi- EPA in the past to make sure emissions said when announcing Woodruff as this
cles were last revised in 2001. standards — like the current NOx year’s recipient. “And this individual has
Since then, NOx emissions in the rule and Phase II of the greenhouse also been at the very forefront of our
U.S. have dropped by more than 40 gas emissions rules for heavy-duty efforts to combat California’s duplica-
percent. However, EPA estimates show vehicles — are not just achievable, but tive meal and rest breaks standards.
trucks could be responsible for one- that they are indeed achieved. ATA and Helping to fight this issue in the courts,
third of total transportation emissions its members are constantly purchasing on Capitol Hill, and now before the
by 2025. newer, cleaner, more efficient vehicles, Department of Transportation.” ATR

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 6 2018 17