Scott Pruitt gave "super polluting" trucks a gift on his last day at the EPA

[Rhiannon12866]

Pruitt secured a loophole for dirty glider trucks after he announced his resignation.

Former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt managed to fire a Parthian shot on his final day in office when he cemented a massive loophole for some of the dirtiest, most polluting trucks on the road, allowing manufacturers to build even more them.

It was Pruitt’s final knock to clean air after President Trump asked him resign Thursday as months of mounting scandals came to a head. “Pruitt didn’t want to leave his post and was described as being devastated that he had to resign ... ,” according to Jennifer Dlouhy and Jennifer Jacobs at Bloomberg. Andrew Wheeler, a former lobbyist for industries including coal, will take over EPA as acting director on Monday.

Pruitt’s last policy decision benefits a small slice of truck manufacturers, including one that hosted a campaign event for Donald Trump.

The loophole, which the Obama administration took steps to close, involves glider kits. These are brand new trucks, but without an engine or transmission (hence why they “glide”). This category of truck was created so manufacturers could salvage parts from older trucks, or parts from those damaged in accidents.

However, older engines adhere to older pollution standards. They often don’t use technologies like selective catalytic reduction, a method to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions that cause smog and acid rain. These pollution control systems mandated on new trucks add cost, complexity, and can hamper fuel economy. So some truck buyers aren’t fans.

A cottage industry quickly sprang up to take advantage of this loophole and to pitch the virtues of gliders to buyers. “This process creates a reliable, more fuel efficient truck that requires less maintenance, yields less downtime and has the safety features and amenities owners have come to expect in trucks on the road today,” according to Fitzgerald Glider Kits, that largest glider truck manufacturer in the United States.


Much more (Includes video): https://www.vox.com/2018/7/8/17544380/scott-pruitt-epa-truck-pollution-glider-kit-loophole



Not a “green” machine Fitzgerald Glider Kits

[TEB]

1. I can say it has come along way

On reducing pollution, years ago pulling into a truck stop at night. A fog would be thick in air from trucks idling. Today not so it is clear with a lot of emissions changes. But am glad asshole Pruitt is gone.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. It sounds like they're doing everything they can to return to the bad old days

And it's not just increased pollution in general, but it's got to be a serious health hazard for the drivers. What I don't get is why they want to get rid of all the protections that were put in place over the years. Don't they have families and kids?

[TEB]

3. I agree

Their just sick

[Ohiogal]

4. Obviously to me

Pruitt was P.O'd about having to resign, so he created this one last dirty mess as a way to say he was there.