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Report vehicles now to meet new March 30 deadline. 

Release #:12-12
Date:03/19/2012

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990

CONTACT:
Karen Caesar
626-575-6728
kcaesar@arb.ca.gov


Air Resources Board urges truckers to avoid last-minute rush,
report vehicles now to meet new March 30 deadline


SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board is reminding
California-bound truck owners that the deadline to report
information regarding their fleets has been extended to March 30,
2012.

ARB provided a two-month extension from the original January 31,
2012, reporting deadline to give fleet owners more time to submit
their information before widespread enforcement of the regulation
begins.

“We encourage all business owners to act immediately and contact
us now with any questions.  Waiting until the last minute – or
even a few days before the deadline – should be avoided since our
information hotlines are already extremely busy,” said Tony
Brasil, Chief of the Heavy Duty Diesel Implementation Branch. 
Truck owners can report their fleet information online by
visiting www.arb.ca.gov/truckstop.

The March 30 deadline does not extend to particulate matter (PM)
filter and other compliance requirements that began January 1,
2012.
 
The Truck and Bus Regulation provides flexibility for owners of
heavier trucks and buses (those with a Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating greater than 26,000 lbs.) with several options to reduce
diesel emissions. They can:

     Follow a schedule that requires 1996-1999 model year engines
be retrofitted with a diesel PM filter by January 1, 2012, with
truck replacements starting January 1, 2015 for older trucks
(this option has no reporting requirements).
    Delay installing a particulate filter on 1996-1999 trucks
that have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs.
if they own a small fleet.  A small fleet is one that has 1 – 3
vehicles with a GVWR of more than 14,000 lbs.  (Truck owners must
report to take advantage of this option.)
    Take advantage of other flexible compliance options in the
regulation for vehicles with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs. 
(Truck owners must also report to utilize these options.)

To expedite the reporting process or get information about the
Truck and Bus Regulation, truck owners can:

    Visit ARB’s Truck Stop at www.arb.ca.gov/truckstop
    Call the Diesel Hotline at 866 6 DIESEL (866- 634-3735)
    Get the latest on reporting information and updates: 
Reporting Requirements
    Email 8666DIESEL@arb.ca.gov


ARB will enforce the truck and bus regulation throughout the
state, including at California Highway Patrol weigh stations,
distribution centers, fleet facilities, truck stops and other
random locations where trucks and buses are present.  Vehicles
that are in violation will be issued citations that carry
penalties, including the potential impoundment of a non-compliant
vehicle. However, ARB will use discretion in enforcing the
regulation in order to account for mitigating circumstances
(including documented good-faith efforts to comply).

The truck and bus regulation will significantly reduce emissions
from the nearly one million heavy-duty diesel trucks that operate
in California. The regulation is one of several emission control
measures that aggressively target diesel pollution, which is
associated with a host of health ailments including cancer.
Diesel particulate filters remove at least 85 percent of the fine
particle pollution found in diesel exhaust.

ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare,
and ecological resources through effective reduction of air
pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the
economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in
California to attain and maintain health based air quality
standards.

Office of Communications 1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814. Ph:
(916) 322-2990