Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/959367
commercial carrier journal | april 2018 91 JOURNAL NEWS Study used in glider emissions reversal under investigation T ennessee Technological University, which performed a study for Fitzgerald Glider Kits to measure glider kit emissions, told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to disregard the study until the university can "assure its validity." EPA referenced the report's conclusions last year when it proposed rescinding emissions regulations placed on glider kit makers by the Obama-era EPA in 2016. That proposal has not reached a final rule stage. The existing regulations are slated to take effect this year and would, if upheld, require glider makers such as Fitzgerald to retool the older engines used in gliders to meet the new restrictions. Fitzgerald and others say the regulations would effectively kill the glider industry. TTU's study concluded that gliders do not produce greater emissions of nitrogen oxide and greenhouse gases than new trucks, contradicting EPA's own studies. EPA cited TTU's conclusions several times in its 2017 proposal to roll back the Obama-era regulations, though recently EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the agency did not rely on the study to make that decision. In a letter to Pruitt, TTU President Philip B. Oldham said the study's research was under investigation after questions were raised by faculty members about its "meth- odology and accuracy," as well as a claim of "research mis- conduct related to the study." A Fitzgerald spokesman said the company "has every confidence in the integrity of the Tennessee Tech study and the personnel who conducted it. The results were not predetermined. Fitzgerald Glider Kits employees had no involvement in the monitoring or testing performed in connection with the study." TTU officials have declined to discuss the matter further. – James Jaillet 777 Main Street, Suite 3900, Fort Worth, TX, 76102 | (817) 490-6800 HEALTHY BUSINESS CHECKLIST See his story and strengthen your business at HealthyBusinessChecklist.com/unprepared EPA issued a proposal last year to roll back Obama-era emissions regulations placed on glider kit makers. The agency has not finalized the repeal. continued from page 18