CARB May Delay Some Diesel-Emissions Regs

California environmental regulators are considering several options to delay some requirements of the state’s diesel emissions regulation to provide “short-term relief” for truckers feeling the effects of the recession.

The California Air Resources Board’s fleet rule as it currently stands requires that most heavy-duty trucks operating in California be outfitted with diesel soot filters between 2011 and 2014, and meet 2010 engine emission standards between 2013 and 2023.

New options range from delaying implementation of the regulation one year for all carriers to slowing down soot filter retrofit requirements for medium size fleets — those with 20 or fewer trucks.

Motor carriers with 3 or fewer trucks already have been given more time to comply with the emissions regulation scheduled to be phased in beginning in 2011.

By Eric Miller
Staff Reporter