CARB Recommends Compliance Extension

The California Air Resources Board staff is recommending an extension of the compliance deadlines for the state’s emission-reduction rule for 2003 transport refrigeration units.

The “reduced in scope” recommendations call for an extension of the deadline for model year 2003 ultra-low-emission TRUs to the end of 2017. Low-emission reefers must be in compliance by Dec. 31.

CARB officials outlined their suggested amendments to the rule at an Aug. 18 workshop. They said they recommended the delay because the Level 3 retrofit systems needed to meet the ultra-low emission TRU standards are not readily available.

The compliance delays will reduce near-term costs for motor carriers, but the public health risk will be “essentially unchanged,” officials said.

The proposed TRU amendments are scheduled for action by CARB’s governing board in November and are expected to be effective in the spring of 2011, officials said.