Evangelical Environmental Network praises the new EPA truck pollution standards

  • Published on December 22nd, 2022

We at the Evangelical Environmental Network are thankful for the EPA’s promulgation of its Heavy-Duty Vehicle NOx Standard today. This rule is a much-needed first action to curb NOx pollution from freight trucks and other large vehicles. Heavy-duty vehicles contribute 63% of dangerous nitrogen oxides and other pollution in our air, harming respiratory and cardiovascular health, especially in marginalized communities found near freight routes.

Evangelical Environmental Network praises the new EPA truck pollution standardsBy The Evangelical Environmental Network

“While we are grateful for this action, it’s only part of the solution. Our evangelical pro-life community wants to see a PM2.5 (particulate) standard soon as well. Heavy duty trucks, like tractor-trailers, emit soot, NOx, and other pollutants that put God’s creation and our families – especially pregnant mothers and the unborn – in harm’s way. Unborn children close to major roads are at higher risk of birth defects, and children attending school near these highways have higher rates of cancer and asthma,” said The Rev. Mitch Hescox, President/C.E.O. of The Evangelical Environmental Network.

Strong NOx and particulate standards are simply a matter of life, and we need to do all we can to defend the life and health of those most vulnerable. Together, we can move toward zero emitting trucks by 2050, which – according to The American Lung Association – could result in $735 billion in public health benefits and 66,800 fewer premature deaths each year.

(Originally appeared at Creationcare, the website of The Evangelical Environmental Network)

About the Author

EEN is a biblically based ministry dedicated to the care of God's creation. EEN is made up of both individual members who believe in and support our vital ministry and major evangelical organizations who work with EEN to help equip, educate, disciple, network, and mobilze the church for the care of God's creation. Creation-care means caring for all of God's creation by stopping and preventing activities that are harmful (e.g. air and water pollution, species extinction), and participating in activities that further Christ's reconciliation of all of creation to God. Doing creation-care fills us with the joy that only comes from doing the will of God.