CARB to discuss equipment regulations in Del Mar
SAN DIEGO DAILY TRANSCRIPT
After more than a year and a half of crafting the language that will constitute the new off-road diesel equipment regulations, the California Air Resources Board will meet in Del Mar on May 25 to decide whether to adopt this language.
The meeting, which starts at 8 a.m., will be held at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar Hotel.
Two hearings have already been held this year in San Diego where local contractors have discussed and questioned CARB staff regarding these regulations.
The Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition (CIAQC), a coalition of construction industry organizations, has estimated that the rules may collectively cost California's construction industry more than $13 billion. CIAQC and some equipment manufacturers predict the cost for retrofitting some individual machines could top $1 million per unit.
Under CARB's proposed current regulations, which have been revised multiple times, a contractor's diesel engine fleet would be required to meet fleet average emission rate targets for particulate matter (PM).
Large and medium fleets (greater than 1,000 horsepower) would also be required to meet fleet average emission rate targets for oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Both targets decline over time, requiring fleets to reduce their emissions further.
A company can ensure its fleet meets yearly PM emissions averages by retrofitting 20 percent of their vehicles with verified diesel-emission control devices (VDECs), which are designed for reduction of diesel PM emissions on used diesel equipment.
If a fleet is unable to meet the NOx target, it must turnover more than 10 percent of its fleet per year. Turnover, as defined by CARB, means to repower with a cleaner engine, replace a vehicle with new or used vehicle, designate as low-use or decrease fleet size.
The largest fleets -- more than 20,000 horsepower -- would have to comply with fleet average targets in 2008-09. Medium fleets -- equal to or less than 20,000 horsepower -- would need to begin meeting the fleet average in 2009-10 and small fleets -- fewer than 1,500 horsepower -- would have until 2015.
All vehicles with engines subject to the regulations must be labeled with an ARB-issued equipment identification number. Inspectors from the CARB and the local Air Pollution Control Districts will be responsible for enforcement.
Noncompliance to these regulations could equate to a daily $5,000 to $25,000 fine per engine in violation.
The regulations would also require off-road diesel vehicle operators to shut down their vehicles rather than keep idle for more than five minutes, unless such idling is necessary for proper operation of the vehicle. The limit on unnecessary idling and the requirements to report information about affected vehicles has been pushed back to 2009.