Costliest Requirement in Air Resources Board History

(March 10, 2008) The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is formulating regulations that could affect the more than 1.5 million trucks and buses in use on California’s roads, highways and farms.

Given the millions of consumer and industrial goods and products delivered via truck each day in the state, these regulations threaten to have a profound, negative impact on the business community.

What CARB is proposing to adopt are the nation’s most stringent new emissions regulations that could also be the most costly and far-reaching rule that business has yet to face.

Many industries covered by this rule also have been subject to other recent regulations, further burdening California’s industries under the weight of overregulation.

New Proposal

Under the new proposed rule, any heavy-duty vehicle with a pre-1998 engine will need to be replaced or retrofitted with yet-to-be developed technologies by December 31, 2010.

In addition:

• All vehicles with engines manufactured between 1998 and 2002 must be retrofitted or replaced by December 31, 2011. 
• All vehicles with 2003-04 engines must be retrofitted or replaced by December 31, 2012. 
• All 2005 and newer engines must be retrofitted or replaced by 2013. 
• All trucks must meet 2007 emissions standards by the year 2114 and 2010 emission standards by the year 2022.

This rule applies to diesel engines and means businesses will be required to replace a most critical asset in just a few years.

If the rule goes into effect, the market will be flooded with “outdated” trucks, greatly diminishing the ability of businesses to sell used equipment or recoup any resale value.

Coalition Organizing

Businesses have an opportunity to make sure their voice is heard in this process and have an impact on the final adopted rule. The California Chamber of Commerce and other associations are leading a coalition effort called “Driving Toward a Cleaner California.”

Other coalition members include the California Beer and Beverage Distributors, the California Cattlemen’s Association, the California Trucking Association, the American Trucking Association, the California Independent Marketers Association, the California Grocers Association and the Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition.

For more information on joining Driving Toward a Cleaner California, contact Jason Schmelzer at the CalChamber, (916) 444-6670, jason.schmelzer@calchamber.com.

Staff Contact: Jason Schmelzer

Additional Materials

Environmental Regulation

Climate Change