Comment Log Display

The requirement to either purchase new equipment or add the
extremely expensive and unreliable filter has decimated the small
trucking companies in California. We have been in business for more
than 30 years. We worked hard and paid off our vehicles. At one
time we had 5 trucks and trailers shipping horses in California. We
downsized to three trucks a couple of years ago. Suddenly our paid
for equipment had little value because they didn't pass the CARB
requirements for emissions. So our trucks which had a book value of
250,000 now were only worth a tiny fraction. We sold at prices of
3500 to 4000. We looked into the Prop B and other grant programs.
But in order to receive sufficient money to make a difference, each
truck had to go more than 25,000 annual miles IN CALIFORNIA. We
could not quite meet that requirement, which would only gain us a
10,000 down payment at one of the partner sellers. We found out
that they had inflated their prices to the point that a 2010
Kenworth tractor (only good until 2023) was priced at 68,000. 2011
tractors were in excess of 90,000. Eventually we purchased a 2011
tractor in Missouri for 69,000. This is nearly the identical price
as the model year newer in California. So now we are in debt, when
a year ago we were debt free. We took the small fleet option, so
our second truck is not due for replacement until the end of this
year. We simply cannot afford another truck payment. The filters
cost between 18,000 and 30,000 depending on the truck. The do
damage to Caterpillar engines. (our 1996 Kenworth runs great and
has a Cat engine). Caterpillar went out of the truck engine
building business for this reason. That lost many thousands of jobs
from the California work force. With fuel so expensive and the cost
of upgrading equipment, many independent truckers have simply
parked their vehicles and walked away. I know two who have quit the
businesses they worked for decades to establish, which supported
them and their families through hard work and a sense of
accomplishment and also provided work for employees. One friend
quit last week and is in the process of selling his house and
moving to Texas. 

REMEMBER: EVERY SINGLE ITEM on store shelves, from bread to milk to
computers to furniture is shipped on a truck at some point from the
manufacturer to the end seller. EVERY ITEM. Raising the cost of
doing business in the state, reducing the number of independent
trucking firms and putting people out of work simply raises the
cost of living for everyone.

PLEASE CONSIDER for the small fleets at least: Anyone who is in
compliance with one truck, grandfather in their second vehicle. One
other issue: We are in compliance. There are THOUSANDS who are not.
They compete unfairly.

Sincerely,
Carol & Dan Porter
Porter Horse Transportation