New California Diesel Regulations Toughest In U.S.
December 13, 2009

The California Air Resources Board Friday adopted two critical regulations directly aimed toward cleaning up harmful emissions from the estimated one million heavy-duty diesel trucks operating in California. Beginning January 1, 2011, the Statewide Truck and Bus rule will require truck owners to install diesel exhaust filters on their rigs, with nearly all vehicles upgraded by 2014. Owners must also replace engines older than the 2010 model year according to a staggered implementation schedule that extends from 2012 to 2022.

Additionally ARB sources say the Heavy Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction measure requires long-haul truckers to install fuel efficient tires and aerodynamic devices on their trailers that lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy.

"Today's vote marks a milestone in the history of California's air quality," said ARB Chair Mary Nichols. "The Board's actions will not only help protect the health of 38 million Californians, they will also ensure that California continues strongly on its path to achieving clean air. The Chair also indicated that despite the down econmoy, the Governor, legislature and voters have made available more than one billion dollars in grants and loan programs to help truckers and business owners comply with the two new rules.

In Sacramento Friday dozens of truckers, their families and supporters protested the new regulations citing the added economic burden for compliance.

ARB says heavy-duty big rigs are the largest remaining source of unregulated diesel emissions, responsible for 32 percent of the smog-forming emissions and nearly 40 percent of the cancer-causing emissions from diesel mobile sources (other diesel emitters include trains, off-road vehicles and marine engines).