ZF will have access to SmartWay Program tools to identify and collect critical data points that will generate and quantify freight emission reports, including CO2 and other outputs. This data will enhance ZF’s supply chain environmental management and demonstrate its strong commitment to leadership and corporate responsibility.

“ZF is proud to be designated as a SmartWay Transport Partner and to exemplify the importance of environmental responsibility within the automotive industry. As part of our steadfast commitment to sustainability, we appreciate programs such as SmartWay that directly help us reduce our carbon footprint.”

said Brandon Paquette, Head of Supply Chain Management, ZF North America.

This partnership is the latest environmental program ZF has aligned within recent months. In 2021, ZF announced its enrollment in DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program, a renewable energy program that allows companies to attribute a percentage of their electricity use to DTE’s wind and solar projects.

”ZF is committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. In order to obtain that goal, we are making incremental improvements across all aspects of our business, including commitments to critical programs like SmartWay, and encouraging our partner carriers to utilize the SmartWay program and verified technologies that improve efficiency and drive a more sustainable economy.”

added Paquette.

Trailer technologies, including aerodynamic devices, have made significant impacts on improving supply chain freight efficiency. The SmartWay Technology Program has verified numerous innovative technologies, which fleets are adopting for their rapid return on investment.

Following its acquisition of WABCO, ZF produces a number of OptiFlow products that feature state-of-the-art design, materials, and technologies helping customers meet U.S. greenhouse gas emission regulations and work toward the SmartWay-certified designation. In February 2017, then-WABCO introduced its OptiFlow AutoTail to North America, among the first aerodynamic tail product in the U.S. to feature automatic deployment and retraction.

OptiFlow AutoTail estimated fuel savings of up to 4.3% based on SmartWay test protocol. OptiFlow AutoTail also reduces CO2 emissions by up to 4.8 tons per trailer per year. The OptiFlow AutoTail was the first to earn EPA SmartWay verification from the National Research Council (NRC), the Canadian government’s premier research and technology organization.

According to the EPA, EPA-verified technologies save fuel and reduce emissions for tractors, trailers, and locomotives. EPA verifies aerodynamic devices, idling reduction equipment, and new and retreads low rolling resistance tires. EPA also designates tractors and trailers equipped with certain combinations of EPA-verified technologies as SmartWay Tractors and Trailers.

Source: ZF

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The call came in a letter sent by ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock and NCFC CEO Chuck Conner to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. On June 3, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated three dicamba registrations and yesterday the EPA clarified that under the order farmers or applicators with existing stocks of dicamba may apply the herbicide until July 31.

“While the Agency’s cancellation order provided some guidance to end-users as well as applicators, it failed to address several scenarios where product is in the pipeline at various points in the supply chain,” the groups stated in the letter. “These questions need quick answers during this critical time of the growing season as weeds will not wait for protracted legal analysis.”

One example given is one in which a producer has pre-paid or contracted for the product before June 3 but had not yet had it delivered. The letter also notes that several states allowed sale and distribution of these dicamba products after the court decision; since the order is retroactive to June 3, however, guidance is needed on whether farmers are permitted to use product they purchased between June 3 and June 8.

“We request the Agency issue further clarification following the issuance of the cancellation order for the three dicamba products,” the letter concludes. “Such clarification can come in the form of a ‘frequently asked questions’ section on the Agency’s web site and be updated in a timely manner as issues arise during this critical time.”

Source: Agricultural Retailers Association

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“Today’s cancellation and existing stocks order is consistent with EPA’s standard practice following registration invalidation, and is designed to advance compliance, ensure regulatory certainty, and to prevent the misuse of existing stocks.”

said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

“ARA is concerned with these details, as it appears inconsistent with EPA’s long-standing existing stocks practice following registration invalidation. ARA is seeking clarification on the impact on agricultural retailers that do not provide commercial application services.The current order will create confusion, especially since it is being issued at the end of today with the June 3, 2020, cut-off date and after many individual states publicly authorized the continued sale and use of these products over the weekend and through today.
This EPA announcement does not fully address the continued confusion being created by the Ninth Circuit Court decision.”

added ARA Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Counsel Richard Gupton.

Source: Agricultural Retailers Association

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Based on the EPA‘s previous approval of dicamba, farmers across the country have already invested in dicamba-resistant seeds.

“An unexpected and immediate ban on dicamba products not only puts substantial farm investments at risk, but also leaves farmers wondering how they’ll protect their crops. It’s imperative that the EPA quickly provide clarity to farmers.”

said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

President Duvall sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler asking the agency to issue an existing stock order, which would allow farmers to use dicamba products through this growing season.

In the letter, President Duvall wrote: “AFBF does not condone off-label use of dicamba or any registered pesticide. But responsible farmers who have invested in – and often taken loans out to purchase – dicamba-resistant products for the current growing season should not bear the financial burden caused by this legal dispute.”

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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“EPA is leading the charge in following the president’s executive order to promote transparency across all government agencies. We are pleased to see this first-ever rule and will be submitting comments in support based on recommendations from our membership.

“A consistent process to provide public input into the EPA’s development of regulations and guidance documents is critical to ag retailers and the agriculture industry. This will not only provide the opportunity to be sure that our voices are heard but will also ensure that new rules are guided by sound science, practicality and economic feasibility.

“All federal agencies need to follow a similar path of transparency and public stakeholder input.”

Click here to read the proposed rule from EPA.

Source: Agricultural Retailers Association

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“In recent years, the number of small refinery exemptions has increased dramatically, which is problematic because it means refiners blend fewer gallons of renewable fuels into gasoline,” AFBF said in recent comments on the proposal.

Between 2013 and 2015, EPA granted no more than eight small refinery waivers per year. The current administration retroactively approved 19 waivers for 2016, granted 35 waivers in 2017 and another 31 in 2018 – ultimately exempting more than 4 billion gallons of renewable fuel obligations over the past three years.

The organization also took issue with the percentage of exemption applications that have been approved since 2016. Before the current administration took office, EPA approved between 50% and 62% of the applications. Under this administration, EPA approved 95% of the exemptions requested in 2016 and 2017 and 74% of the petitions in 2018 – after prolonged pushback from key agriculture and biofuel industry stakeholders.

“These decisions have had significant impacts on struggling farmers, who have watched the demand for corn grown for ethanol drop as the renewable fuel volume obligations diminish with each exemption granted. It is alarming that the agency will continue down this path as farmers are facing extreme weather challenges, trade headwinds and a rural economy nearing its breaking point,” Farm Bureau said.

The main problem with EPA’s proposal is that it bases the projected volume of gasoline and diesel that would be exempt in 2020 on the three-year rolling average of relief recommended by the Department of Energy, rather than the three-year rolling average of actual exemptions.

“This is problematic because DOE’s projections for the volume of biofuels that will be exempted are often much lower than actual exemptions,” Farm Bureau explained.

Farm Bureau is also calling for the inclusion of language in the final 2020 renewable volume obligations that binds EPA by regulation to use the three-year rolling average of actual exemptions in all future renewable volume obligation rulemakings, not just 2020.

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation 

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