EPA, NHTSA Drop Emissions, Efficiency Rules

Federal regulators withdrew some portions of a rule they tried to finalize in June that would have made minor technical amendments to the upcoming greenhouse-gas emissions and fuel-efficiency standards for heavy trucks.

The changes from the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would have concerned engine and truck testing, certification and credit specifications, the agencies said.

The agencies proposed them in June as a “direct final rule,” and since they received negative comments about them, they have to withdraw them and go through a formal rulemaking process.

EPA and NHTSA now must respond to the comments they received before making the changes final.

The emissions and efficiency rules take effect with trucks produced from 2014 to 2017.