July 9, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Milagros R. Elia
Program Manager, Climate and Clean Energy Advocacy
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
milagros@envirn.org
914.455.1165
Nurses Oppose EPA’s Proposal to Ease Heavy-Duty Truck Emissions Rules
(Washington, D.C.) Today, July 9th 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released proposed revisions to the compliance regulations related to Model Year (MY) 2027 and later heavy-duty highway engines.
The EPA has emphasized today’s proposal aims to save the trucking industry an estimated $12 billion by scaling back extended warranty mandates, delaying useful-life requirements, and allowing temporary non-conformance penalties. They did not provide an analysis for how the increased emissions with this proposed rule could impact health.
In response to the proposal, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Executive Director Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN issued the following statement:
“Nurses are strongly opposed to today’s U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to relax air pollution standards for buses and trucks. We witness every day how air pollution affects the health of our patients and communities,”
“Transportation remains one of the largest sources of air pollution in the United States. Nitrogen oxides, particularly nitrogen dioxide, are released into the air due to emissions from vehicles.
Over time, chronic exposure to elevated concentrations of NO2 may contribute to the development of asthma and potentially increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. People with asthma, as well as children and the elderly are generally at greater risk for the health effects of NO2.
With this in mind,we demand policymakers uphold science-based environmental protections that safeguard public health and prioritize policies that protect the health of communities already disproportionately affected by pollution.”
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The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization dedicated exclusively to the intersection of health and the environment. The Alliance promotes healthy people and healthy environments by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating evidence-based practice, and influencing public policy.
