Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis and Vice Chair Dan Sullivan called on the Environment and Public Works Committee to advance the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act with bipartisan support on Mar. 12. Senator Pete Ricketts also joined the call, highlighting concerns about current Environmental Protection Agency regulations affecting diesel engines in cold climates.
The proposed legislation aims to address problems caused by diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system malfunctions that can force diesel engines to shut down during extreme cold, leading to delays for emergency vehicles and disruptions in agricultural supply chains. The issue is particularly significant for states with harsh winters, where reliable diesel equipment is essential for public safety and food production.
During a committee hearing, Todd Fornstrom, a Wyoming farmer, and Ryan Anderson from Alaska’s Department of Transportation testified about the widespread impact of DEF-related issues. Anderson said that between 70% and 80% of diesel equipment problems in Alaska are linked to DEF systems.
Lummis said, “The EPA under Biden knew the DEF systems didn’t work well and posed a risk to public safety, and they mandated them anyway. What we need to do, in some ways, is what Mr. Whitehouse described. We do need to remediate NOx emissions, we need to reduce them, but there are ways to reduce them and still keep diesel engines running. That’s what this bill is about.”
Sullivan said, “None of us are saying we shouldn’t do anything about NOx and SOx, but we do need to have regulations that are not a one-size-fits-all that really, really penalizes states like mine in a huge way. You know, a reg [sic] written by lawyers in D.C. that don’t have a clue about any of this stuff, not a clue, that’s not right. That’s not the way the federal government is supposed to work, and we’re going to fix it.”
Ricketts added his perspective from Nebraska: “Nebraska agricultural producers report that emissions related issues, particularly with the DEF systems account for a majority for their machinery repairs… A major grievance is that when a DEF censor fails or a system malfunction, it often triggers limp mode… causing critical delays during planting and harvesting.” He continued: “Legislative reform that increases public safety is just commonsense, and I look forward to working with the committee on this.”
Lummis has been active in supporting community service initiatives and family ranching traditions in Wyoming according to her official website. She has also focused on legislative efforts such as maintaining national forest trails according to her official website. Lummis previously served as state treasurer as well as holding seats in both chambers of Wyoming’s legislature before representing Wyoming in Congress according to her official website. She is notable for being the first woman elected as U.S. senator from Wyoming according to her official website.
Lummis maintains offices throughout Wyoming communities as well as Washington D.C., providing constituent services across the state according to her official website. In 2016 she authored the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act aimed at preserving national forest trails according to her official website.
The next steps will depend on whether the Environment and Public Works Committee advances the bill out of committee for further consideration.
