U.S. EPA Expands Mobile Source Enforcement Initiative Targeting Operators Of Heavy-Duty Trucking Fleets

While much has been made of U.S. EPA's alleged scaling back of enforcement on various fronts and other policy changes, a wave of enforcement against mobile source engines appears ready to break on the heavy-duty diesel industry. U.S. EPA-Region 3 has initiated criminal prosecution for such a case, and this may be the beginning of a new wave of enforcement by the regions, similar to prior enforcement initiatives such as New Source Review and specific hazardous air pollutant cases against industry sectors.

U.S. EPA recently delegated the authority to prosecute mobile source violations from headquarters to the regions. This delegation is resulting in an increased number of enforcement actions against smaller entities not typically subject to U.S. EPA scrutiny, such as fleets of heavy-duty engine operators and small/mid-sized diesel mechanic shops.