Many times the federal government makes a decision that has a trickle-down effect - impacting each one of us in a variety of ways but most often our wallets. Such is the case with the recent October decision to impose greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards for trucks and buses.
Although you will find a link to their website at the end of this blog - and I wholly encourage you to visit it and read the entire article - let us offer some of the highlights of this legislation.
* These are the first national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses.
*The program is expected to reduce emissions by nearly 250 million metric tons and save 500 million barrels of oil.
*New fuel efficiency standards for trucks will reduce the cost of transporting freight.
* it is estimated an operator of a semi truck could pay for the technology upgrades in under a year, and save as much as $74,000 over the truck's useful life.
If all of the above information is factual and bears out in the years to come then one could expect that the cost associated with transporting goods around the country will, in fact, decrease and these savings will be passed on to the consumer, right?
Oh well, barring that at least we can celebrate the fact that gains are being made on the environmental front. Certainly we are all glad to know that these regulations will improve air quality and reduce green house gas emissions.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston truck accident attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. For a free no obligation consultation with a Houston personal injury attorney call the Baumgartner firm.
