CARB Declines to Extend Reefer Rule Deadline

California environmental regulators have approved a slate of amendments to fine-tune the state’s transport refrigerated unit rule, but denied a request by industry stakeholders to push back compliance deadlines by extending the useful life of the units from seven to nine years.

The amendments approved last week by the California Air Resources Board, are intended to provide compliance flexibility for some carriers, but at the same time step up regulatory enforcement.

CARB has been considering changes to the reefer rule since earlier this year.

The changes also will for the first time require that shippers, freight brokers and receivers only hire motor carriers that are compliant with the state’s reefer rule.

In addition, the changes authorize that on a case-by-case basis CARB’s executive officer can grant up to a one-year compliance extension if no compliance technology is available.