California Tightens Fuel Rules For Government Fleet Vehicles

The governing board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which rules on air quality matters for the Los Angeles basin, ordered heavy-duty government trucks and airport taxis in Southern California to start using alternative fuels and buying lower-emission models beginning in 2002.

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This is the latest in a series of series of clean-fleet rules adopted this year for the region’s public agencies. Seven of the original eight proposed rules have been put into action to reduce toxic emissions of diesel particulates and improve air quality in the area.

SCAQMD recently agreed not to press for a stricter diesel fuel standard for commercial trucks in the region two years ahead of the federal and state government’s 2006 deadline (9-25, p. 5). But it has kept vehicle fleets run by government agencies in its crosshairs.

Starting July 1, 2001, government fleets with 15 or more heavy-duty vehicles will be required to buy alternative-fueled, gasoline-powered or dual-fuel models when they buy new vehicles.

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