WASHINGTON – The U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee leaders sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler requesting information about a recent study conducted by the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The study, released in 2017, examined emissions from glider trucks as compared to non-refurbished or unmodified, conventionally manufactured trucks.  Glider trucks use refurbished engines and transmissions in new truck bodies to create cost-efficient vehicles with updated safety features. 

Documents obtained by the Committee indicate that representatives from Volvo and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) engaged in what appears to be a concerted effort with EPA staff at the NVFEL to shape the study’s design to achieve a desired outcome. 

“In one email, the representative from Volvo lays out the ‘ideal’ test program for the NVFEL, listing specifically the test articles to use and the schedule by which the test program should be conducted,” the Committee’s letter notes.

It continues, “These documents raise serious questions as to the objectivity and legitimacy of the NVFEL study. To better assist the Committee in understanding how EPA intends to uphold scientific integrity and how it undertakes decisions to perform scientific studies underlying regulation, we request a briefing for Committee staff by the appropriate EPA officials who are familiar with this matter.”

The Committee also requested all documents related to the NVFEL glider study.

The full text of the letter, which was signed by Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Ralph Abraham, MD (R-La.), Oversight Subcommittee Vice Chairman Clay Higgins (R-La.), Environment Subcommittee Chairman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Space Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas), and Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) is available here