CARB to vote on stiff rules Dec. 11, 2008
California will vote Dec. 11,2008 on new regulations that will start with a phased-in schedule requiring diesel engine exhaust retrofits in 2010 and engine replacement in 2012 for trucks doing business in California.
The state Air Resources Board will have its draft proposal online Oct. 24, said Erik White, who heads CARB’s heavy diesel in-use strategies branch.
“This is the only way the state can meet the cleaner federal standards established,” White said.
The proposals will affect anyone who operates or sells a truck within the state borders, regardless of residency. All diesel trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than 14,000 pounds and all diesel shuttle buses are affected, as are federal fleets, and privately and publicly owned school buses.
The particulate filters are expected to cost $10.000 to $12,000. Financial programs for truckers include funds available through the Carl Moyer program, the state’s Proposition 1B and Assembly Bill 118. However, this help is limited to trucks with California plates, but may change in future years, White said.
Fleets with four or more vehicles will require exhaust retrofits in 2010 and 2011 and engine or vehicle replacement by 2012 to 2022. Three compliance options will be available and fleets can comply by buying used vehicles. For these fleets, a retrofit will be required for pre-1994 engines and 2003 to 2006 diesel engines.
Fleets with three or fewer vehicles would be exempt from these initial retrofit requirements. But by Dec. 31, 2012, these fleets would have to show they have at least one 2004 or newer vehicle with an exhaust retrofit. In 2017 the vehicle would need to be replaced with one meeting 2010 engine emissions. Any other vehicles in a small fleet would need to be upgraded between 2013 and 2023.
In 2012 to 2016, 1994 to 2002 engines will be phased in for larger fleets, and smaller fleets will get more time to comply.
The board was going to vote on the proposals this month, but they delayed it to allow more time to meet with stakeholders
Penalties for non-compliance are already in state law, which can be $1,000 to $10,000 per day.
More information is available at CARB’s diesel hotline at (866)-634-3735 or at www.arb.ca.gov/dieseltruck.
