Attention Contractors!
CARB Verifies Cleaire LongMile System and Announces that the Truck & Bus Regulation Online Reporting System Now Operational
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued a verification for the Cleaire LongMile emission reduction system for heavy-duty on-road vehicles for certified heavy-duty diesel engines. This follows CARB's decision on September 16, 2011 to suspend the sale, installation, leasing or offering for sale the Cleaire LongMile diesel emission control strategies and its direction to Cleaire to take remedial actions. Click here to see a copy of the Executive Order and here to see additional information about the system.
CARB has also released the following information about the availability of the online reporting system required for the Truck and Bus Regulation. January 1, 2012 is the first compliance date for the regulation and January 31, 2012 is the reporting deadline for fleets that must report.
CARB Suspends Sales of Cleaire LongMile and Allmetal Systems
Effective September 16, 2011 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has suspended the sale, installation, leasing or offering for sale the Cleaire LongMile and Allmetal diesel emission control strategies and directed Cleaire to take remedial actions. These systems are for use on on-road and off-road diesel engines. CARB states in its letter to Cleaire dated September 17, 2011, that field experiences for these systems indicate that they do not comply with the conditions for their verification and "they may experience a catastrophic failure mode that was previously unknown, creating concerns about the safe deployment of these systems."
CIAQC - Construction Industry Air Quality Update
1. California Air Resources Board (CARB) releases updated overview of the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle regulation. The overview summarizes the new timelines and performance requirements approved by the CARB board in December 2010. The overview also outlines the requirements currently in effect and being enforced now.
2. South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) releases Program Announcement for $60 million available in incentive funding for the SOON (Surplus Off-Road Opt-In for NOx) Program.
Update on Off-Road Equipment and On-Road Truck Regulations
In December 2010 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved modifications to the Off-Road Equipment and On-Road Truck & Bus Regulations. The changes to the two rules provide a brief measure of relief by delaying the dates fleets must begin to upgrade or replace equipment and trucks. The updated regulatory language approved in December is still pending and is expected to be released for review and a 15-day comment period with the next two weeks. The Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition (CIAQC) will provide more on the two regulations including the Low-Mileage Exemption for construction trucks when they become available. So stay tuned!
In the mean time, CARB has recently released information about the Off-Road Equipment and Truck & Bus Regulations that contractors should be aware of. Please take a moment to review CARB's messages below and note the links for Enforcement Advisory 424 and a compliance tool for the Truck & Bus Regulation.
California Air Resources Board to Consider Major Changes to Off-Road Equipment and On-Road Truck Regulations at December Hearing
On Friday December 17, 2010, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will consider making significant changes to the Off-Road Equipment Regulation and modifications to On-Road Heavy-Duty Truck Regulation. The proposed changes will help reduce the enormous costs contractors must bear to comply with these regulations. The changes to the Off-Road Regulation are expected to provide a larger measure of relief from the current rule requirements than will those proposed for the On-Road Truck Regulation. While the proposed changes to the truck regulation are a move in the right direction, the Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition (CIAQC) does not believe they go far enough to help the construction industry still suffering from the devastating impacts of the economic downturn. For this reason, CIAQC is asking CARB to increase the low-use mileage threshold for trucks owned by contractors and those used to support the construction industry from 1,000 to 15,000 miles per year.
CARB Admits Huge Error! Attend Upcoming Workshops to Learn More.
California Air Resources Board (CARB) has scheduled a series of workshops (see schedule below) to review its most recent NOx and PM2.5 emissions inventories for the Off-Road Regulation. The updated inventories are roughly 20 percent of what they were originally estimated to be when the regulation was initially developed and adopted in 2007. The lower emissions inventory is attributable largely to revised fuel usage data, adjusted equipment load factors and an overall fleet that is smaller and newer than previous CARB estimates.
CARB Workshop Locations and Times Scheduled for Off-Road Equipment and On-Road Truck Regulations
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has scheduled five public workshops to discuss the Off-Road Equipment and On-Road Truck Regulations on the following dates, times and locations.
- Fresno, August 26, 2010
- El Monte, August 31, 2010
- San Diego, September 1, 2010
- Sacramento (will also be webcast), September 7, 2010
- Oakland, September 8, 2010