U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) advocated for legislative efforts providing regulatory relief and clarity for diesel engines operating in cold-weather environments.
Advocate for legislative efforts to provide regulatory relief and clarity for diesel engines operating in cold-weather environments.
Occurrences
Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Vice Chair Dan Sullivan (R-AK) called on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to pass the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act with bipartisan support. They were joined by fellow Caucus and Committee member Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE).
Evidence
Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Vice Chair Dan Sullivan (R-AK) called on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to pass the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act with bipartisan support. They were joined by fellow Caucus and Committee member Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE).
U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act to address EPA emissions system malfunctions that can force diesel engines to shut down in extreme cold. The legislation directs the EPA to update its regulations to account for how diesel engines operate in cold-weather states.
During a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) advocated for legislative efforts providing regulatory relief and clarity for diesel engines operating in cold-weather environments.
GovInfo shows S. 3135 was introduced in the Senate and read twice on November 6, 2025, then referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The bill remains listed at the introduced stage with no later action shown on this record.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a March 11, 2026 hearing to examine S. 3135, the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act, with testimony and opening remarks posted on the committee site.
Senator Lummis's official release says Senate Western Caucus leaders urged the EPW Committee to pass the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act and were joined by Senator Pete Ricketts. It also attributes comments to Ricketts describing Nebraska producers' DEF-system problems and stating that cold-weather legislative reform is commonsense public-safety policy.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee page records a March 11, 2026 hearing to examine S. 3135, the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act, including witness testimony and opening statements.
The introduced bill text requires EPA to revise Clean Air Act regulations to let manufacturers suspend emissions-related engine derate or shutdown functions in prolonged cold-weather conditions and provide relief from diesel exhaust fluid requirements for qualifying cold-weather operations.
Congress.gov lists S. 3135 as introduced on November 6, 2025, read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. It shows one action and the status as Introduced, not enacted.
Senator Sullivan's official release says he and Senator Lummis introduced the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act to address EPA emissions-system malfunctions that can force diesel engines to shut down in extreme cold and to direct EPA to update its regulations for cold-weather states.
Assessments
The promise was framed as advocacy for legislative efforts, not enactment of the bill. During Ricketts' current Senate term, he joined Senate Western Caucus colleagues urging EPW Committee action on the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act and publicly supported cold-weather diesel regulatory reform. The bill also received an EPW hearing, matching the promised subject matter. Although S. 3135 had not been enacted, the documented advocacy satisfies the stated commitment.
The promise was framed as advocacy for legislative efforts, not enactment of a final regulatory change. During Ricketts' current Senate term, he joined the Western Caucus push for the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act and advocated for the issue in the Senate EPW Committee context. The bill had been introduced and received a committee hearing, with Ricketts materially participating in support of the legislative effort. Because the promised action was advocacy and that advocacy occurred in office, this counts as delivered in the same term even though the underlying bill had not become law.
Senator Ricketts advocated for and supported legislative efforts (such as the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act) to provide regulatory relief for diesel engines in cold-weather environments. However, the evidence does not confirm final passage or enactment of any such legislation, only his active advocacy and support during the term.
Evidence shows that Senator Pete Ricketts actively advocated for and supported legislative efforts, including supporting and urging passage of the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act. He participated in committee hearings and public statements pushing for the issue. However, while these efforts represent clear advocacy and support, there is no evidence that the legislative package became law or that meaningful regulatory relief was fully delivered. Thus, the promise to advocate was delivered, but the final policy outcome remains only partially fulfilled.
Senator Pete Ricketts publicly advocated for and supported legislative efforts (specifically the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act) aiming to provide regulatory relief and clarity for diesel engines in cold-weather environments. He joined colleagues urging committee action, spoke in hearings, and supported legislative introduction. However, available evidence does not show that these efforts led to final legislative passage or tangible regulatory change; the promise was only partially delivered.
Evidence confirms that Senator Pete Ricketts publicly advocated for and supported legislative efforts to provide regulatory relief and clarity for diesel engines in cold-weather environments, including joining colleagues in urging committee action and supporting related legislation. However, the evidence does not confirm that the legislation was enacted or the regulatory relief fully delivered, only that advocacy and serious legislative attempts occurred.