California environmental regulators have pledged to cut truckers some slack early next year while enforcing the state’s amended transport refrigeration unit rule that will require all refrigerated trucks and trailers be equipped with low emission TRU retrofits or engines on their 2003 trucks and trailers by Dec. 31.
Dan Donohoue, chief of CARB’s Emissions Assessment Branch, acknowledged that it might take motor carriers slightly longer to order and install retrofits or new diesel engine units.
Regulators stopped short, however, of granting an outright 90-day compliance delay that some motor carriers and trade group representatives suggested during a public hearing on last minute, “time-critical” amendments to the TRU rule in Sacramento, Calif., in November.
Although California Air Resources Board members did not push back the deadline, they did approve amendments aimed at easing some of the reefer rule’s short-term costs and giving carriers an option to defer installation of ultra low, or level 3 emissions retrofits, for up to seven years.
“These proposed amendments address two key provisions that require compliance action by Dec. 31,” CARB chairwoman Mary Nichols said at a board meeting. “So obviously it’s important that we take action on them today.”
