Hastert Backs Engine Delay

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House Speaker Dennis Hastert, an Illinois Republican whose district includes factories owned by diesel manufacturer Caterpillar, last week threw his support into the effort to block or delay the Oct. 1 deadline for selling cleaner-running diesel engines.

Hastert’s communications director, Pete Jeffries, told Transport Topics July 25 that the speaker has supported extending the deadline but wants a “common sense” solution to address the issue that could ultimately be decided by President Bush.

Hastert may also join a delegation of lawmakers calling on President Bush soon to push back the deadline, Jeffries said.

In another development last week, officials of the Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department said they saw no reason to delay the deadline.

For the full story, see the July 29 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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