WASHINGTON (Feb. 12, 2014) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking participants in the SmartWay Transport Partnership to comment on its plans to expand information-collection activities on the program's performance.
The SmartWay partnership is an EPA-directed program in which truck fleet owners, tire and equipment suppliers and other entities collaborate with the agency to reduce air toxic emissions and fuel consumption in the truck freight industry. Among other things, the partnership certifies certain products, including tires, for their emissions-reducing and fuel saving properties.
Since its inception, the EPA has gathered information from SmartWay participants on issues such as fuel consumption, air quality effects, long-duration truck idling and strategies for reducing idling,
In a Feb. 6 Federal Register notice, the EPA said it may ask its SmartWay partners for further information, including:
• Opinions and test data on the effectiveness of new and emerging technology applications;
• Sales volumes associated with SmartWay-recommended equipment and technologies;
• The reach and value of the EPA-industry partnership; and
• Awareness of the SmartWay brand.
In some instances, the EPA said it might query non-participants in the SmartWay partnership, including freight companies, trade and professional associations, environmental groups, community organizations and the general public.
The agency wants comments on whether the proposed information gathering will be useful, and estimates on the regulatory burden it might create. Interested parties have until April 7 to submit comments.