Yesterday, the California Air Resource Board announced that it will “provide relief to truckers working to meet state deadlines for upgrades to their aging diesel fleets.” The relief is offered to drivers and fleets that are making efforts to meet the upcoming compliance deadlines. CARB says the overall goal is to:
- Provide additional time for owners to complete their good faith compliance efforts
- Provide additional flexibility for many lower use vehicles and vehicles that operatesolely in certain areas of the State
“The Air Resources Board is implementing new, flexible compliance options for truck owners who show they have made good faith efforts to comply with the regulation before Jan. 1, 2014, and is providing additional time for many fleets to complete their clean-up efforts,” said ARB Executive Officer Richard Corey. “These changes will help businesses meet the clean-up requirements in a way that will not compromise the health benefits or emissions reductions that this vitally important regulation will achieve over its lifetime.” CARB is offering funds for fleets and qualified applicants, including $30 million in grants for small fleet owners with three or fewer trucks. In addition, state-sponsored loans are available through the Truck Loan Assistance Program. Owners of logging trucks may be eligible for additional loans though a $3 million grant. CARB will conduct workshops throughout the state to hear comments from elected officials, industry representatives and stakeholders. “Proposed amendments to the regulation, which are still under development, are expected to provide additional time for owners in specified regions to complete their clean-up efforts. Also, owners of lower-use vehicles throughout the state are expected to gain flexibility options as well,” CARB stated. For more information on the specified regions, what constitutes a “good faith effort” to comply with the Truck and Bus Regulation, or which fleets are being afforded with additional time to comply, truck owners are urged to view today’s advisory here: Truck and Bus Regulation Advisory. Anyone with questions on regulatory requirements can visit ARB’s TruckStop website, call 866-6DIESEL, or email [email protected]. We do ask for extra patience as call volumes are extremely high as the Jan. 1 deadline draws nearer.