GRAIN VALLEY, MO. (RFD NEWS) — Truckers are highlighting the benefits of the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent action on diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems, saying the removal of certain sensor requirements could help prevent unexpected shutdowns that have disrupted the supply chain.
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with a reaction from the trucking industry on the latest EPA policy changes.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Pugh explains the challenges that DEF system malfunctions have created for drivers, including costly delays and operational disruptions, and outlines how the change may help stabilize the supply chain and address the impact of rising diesel prices on drivers across the country.
Finally, Pugh discusses how EPA’s latest move could benefit both truckers and farmers by improving reliability and keeping goods moving.
As Pugh mentioned, it is not just the trucking industry expected to benefit from the EPA’s move to remove some DEF sensor requirements. In a post on X, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin recapped his recent visit to the Texas Farm Bureau, sharing firsthand accounts from producers highlighting the value of the progress made.
Ag Secretary Rollins is also weighing in on X. She says the move delivers real relief, pointing to more harvesting, faster movement, and greater efficiency in the field.
Bravo @epaleezeldin!👏
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) April 12, 2026
Farmers and truckers have been dealing with disastrous DEF derates for far too long. THIS delivers real relief.
No more combines stuck in the field from low DEF.⁰No more dangerous slowdowns on highways due to faulty sensors.
This means more crops… https://t.co/gkbpoIVYB0
Farm machinery giant John Deere is also saying the changes to DEF regulations are allowing it to improve the functionality of large equipment. Last week, the company said they were working as quickly as possible to roll out software updates for its machines to help customers increase efficiency as the spring planting season ramps up.
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