DEF Act
If you drive a diesel truck or run a tractor, you probably know this story: you are in the middle of a busy workday, everything is running smoothly, and suddenly a faulty Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensor triggers an automatic engine shutdown. Just like that, you are stuck waiting on a tow or an expensive repair.
These rigid EPA shutdown rules cost our farmers, truckers, and operators time and money, through no fault of their own. When you’re in the middle of harvest or trying to make a delivery, you can't afford to be sidelined by bad bureaucracy.
That’s why I teamed up with a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the Diesel Engine Flexibility (DEF) Act to target three critical problems.
1. Stopping Sudden, Inconvenient Engine Shutdowns
The Problem: Old rules forced engines to shut down if a sensor flagged an issue, even if you had plenty of DEF. These shutdowns left operators stranded in the middle of a field or on the side of the highway.
DEF Act Solution: Locks in updated EPA guidelines that give operators the time and mileage flexibility needed to finish the job and drive their vehicles to a shop safely.
2. Ditching Fragile, High-Failure Sensors
The Problem: Previous EPA guidelines urged manufacturers to use Urea Quality Sensors (UQS), which have one of the highest failure rates of any engine part. These broken sensors were throwing false alarms.
DEF Act Solution: Formally allows manufacturers to use NOx sensors instead, which are more durable and reliable.
3. Protecting Independent Repair Shops
The Problem: Under old EPA guidelines, local, independent mechanics were often unable to temporarily turn off emissions controls while working on a machine out of fear of fines.
DEF Act Solution: Explicitly gives independent repair shops clear legal protection to temporarily disable emissions controls while performing maintenance so our operators can use the mechanic they trust, and their equipment gets back in the field faster. |