BrownfieldAgNews reports:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rolling back requirements of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems in agriculture equipment.
Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue tells Brownfield that could be a welcome change for producers dealing with frequent and costly repairs. “Eighty percent of the repairs are emissions related.”
During a meeting with farm bureau presidents last month, McHargue said EPA officials were considering changes to portions of the Clean Air Act.”That’s really one of the more fascinating conversations with EPA that they’re actually seriously looking at the issue.”
Earlier this week, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin proposed rescinding a 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, where DEF systems were required.
South central Nebraska farmer Randy Uhrmacher says downtime for repairs on his equipment has been the biggest frustration.”It shuts the whole vehicle down, so if you got one sensor, say on a combine and it’s going to take three days to get that sensor to fix the emission system, that could be 3 days without that combine moving and time is of essence when you farm.”
And, he says, it’s more affordable to retrofit equipment.”If we can remove it legally, that would be far better than removing it illegally to save time and some downtime.”
If finalized, it would remove all greenhouse gas standards for light, medium and heavy-duty engines.
While there is broad support from the ag industry, environmental groups and climate advocates are expected to challenge a repeal in court.
Following the announcement, the Natural Resources Defense Council issued a statement saying if finalized, the organization would take legal action. Executive Director Christy Goldfuss said the proposal could worsen climate impacts and endanger human health and welfare.
