FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Thor Stacey, Alaska State Director, thor@thorstaceyassociates.com
Tony Malandra, Senior Media Manager, anthony.malandra@nfib.org

JUNEAU, Alaska, March 20, 2026—The nation’s leading small business association today announced its support for congressional legislation sponsored by Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan that would repeal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines on diesel emissions.

“Current EPA emissions system rules mandate that engines shut down when diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) does not reach certain operating temperatures,” wrote NFIB principal for Federal Government Affairs Louis Bertolotti in his letter of support for Sen. Sullivan’s S3135 sent yesterday.

“This mandate is intended to reduce emissions. However, DEF freezes at 12 degrees Fahrenheit. In cold weather states like Alaska, where temperatures can fall below 12 degrees for extended periods of time, these rigid rules negatively impact small businesses and consumers. Moreover, an engine shutdown can cause serious harm to farmers or truck drivers who could be left stranded in remote locations in sub-zero temperatures.”

NFIB Alaska State Director Thor Stacey said the EPA mandate is a textbook example of where so many rules and regulations go wrong and why associations like his keep an eternal vigilance on the work of Congress and the Alaska Legislature. “Here’s an example of where a one-size-fits-all regulation can do more harm than good. Alaska is not Florida; Montana is not Texas. I thank Senator Sullivan for his leadership in repealing these harmful guidelines.”

Said Bertolotti in the concluding paragraph of his letter, “NFIB supports repealing this burdensome rule which unnecessarily harms diesel engine reliability and increases energy costs for small businesses. We look forward to working with you to advance this bill and help ensure continued American energy dominance.”

S.3135 currently in the Senate’s Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Keep up with the latest Alaska small business news at www.nfib.com. Follow us on X at @NFIB_AK.

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For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven association. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.

NFIB Alaska
Box 211231
907-723-1494
Juneau, AK 99821
www.nfib.com
X: @NFIB.AK