EPA Declines To Ease Diesel Emissions Regulations

Danielle Jackson

Washington, D.C. -- A spokesman for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the agency does not plan to relax air pollution rules to make it easier for automakers to sell fuel-efficient diesel-powered cars and trucks.

Automakers would like the EPA to loosen its Tier 2 emissions rules so that more diesel-powered vehicles s can be manufactured because they have better fuel economy than gasoline-powered vehicles. However, diesel engines produce more nitrogen oxides and soot particulates, which is why they must meet the stringent Tier 2 rules.