Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities

This page last reviewed May 14, 2009

The Rule for On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel-Fueled Public and Utility Fleets is one of the California Air Resources Board's efforts to reduce both criteria pollutant emissions and exposure to toxic air contaminants. The rule mandates Public Agency and utility vehicle owners reduce diesel PM emissions from their affected vehicles through the application of Best Available Control Technology or BACT on these vehicles by specified implementation dates. Implementation is phased-in by engine model year groups.

If you wish to receive notices regarding the California Air Resources Board Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities, sign-up to the Public Fleets listserve.

The following What's New links provides the latest information regarding the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities.

What's New...
5/14/09:

1-year blanket compliance extension for certain Group 3 vehicles - The Air Resources Board is granting a 1-year blanket compliance extension for certain Group 3 vehicles subject to the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities. This compliance extension is limited to Group 3 vehicles where a verified diesel emission control strategy (DECS) is not available and a fleet has applied a verified DECS to all remaining Group 3 vehicles where one is available. To qualify for an extension for the remaining Group 3 vehicles, the vehicle must be powered by:

  • any dual or bi-fuel engine not currently retrofitted, or
  • an engine with a displacement of over 15 liters and equipped with exhaust gas recirculation.

More information is available in Mail-Out # MSC 09-19.

4/6/09:
DECS Installation/Maintenance Page - The Air Resources Board's DECS Installation/Maintenance page is now available. This page is intended to provide guidance to end users of diesel vehicles or equipment who are interested in purchasing verified diesel emission control strategies (DECS) or (VDECs) (aka retrofit devices) to comply with ARB diesel regulations. This DECS installs page contains links to documents and general information that will assist owners of diesel vehicles or equipment in this effort.
3/27/09:
Recently Approved Changes to the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities Advisory - At its December meeting, the Air Resources Board approved a number of clarifying and administrative changes to the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities. The changes will be effective once they are approved by the Office of Administrative Law. The changes approved by the Board are summarized in this Advisory #MSC 09-12.
3/23/09:
Update for Auction Houses and Dealerships Selling Fleet Vehicles from Public Agencies and Utilities - The Air Resources Board approved modifications to the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities that will affect auction houses, dealers and other third party sellers that sell diesel vehicles with a gross-vehicle weight greater than 14,000 pounds owned or operated by a public agency or utility. Municipalities and utilities must establish a “Third Party Vehicle Seller Contract” with a seller. The contract requirements are illustrated in Mail-Out #MSC 09-15.
12/11/08:
Proposed 15-Day Changes to the Proposed Truck and Bus Regulation and Other Existing Regulations Posted - The Air Resources Board posted proposed 15-day changes for the proposed Statewide Truck and Bus Regulation and other existing regulations. Attachment C is the proposed 15-day changes to the proposed regulation for In-Use On-Road Diesel Vehicles, and Attachment D is the proposed 15-day changes to existing diesel regulations.
10/24/08:
Board Hearing Notice and Regulatory Documents for Proposed Regulation Posted - The Air Resources Board will be conducting a public hearing on December 11 and 12, 2008, in Sacramento to consider the adoption of a proposed regulation to reduce emissions from in-use on-road diesel vehicles. The Board will also consider amendments to the regulation for in-use off-road vehicles, drayage trucks, municipality and utility vehicles, mobile cargo handling equipment, portable engines and equipment, heavy duty engines and vehicle exhaust emissions standards.The meeting notice, staff report, and all other regulatory documents can be found at the following link: In-Use On-Road Diesel Vehicles Board Hearing Regulatory Materials.
10/23/08:
Mail-Out #MSC 08-30 is now available - What do I do when my verified diesel emission control strategy (DECS) fails outside the warranty period? The purpose of this advisory is to define what failures of a DECS are allowed after the warranty period.
10/9/08:
Mail-Out #MSC 08-28 is now available - ARB issued this advisory to provide guidance to owners and operators of diesel vehicles and equipment on the importance of following good engine maintenance practices, in particular, engines that are equipped with retrofit devices. More information, including information on the use of alternative diesel fuels and fuel additives in engines equipped with diesel emissions control strategies may be found in the advisory.
9/29/08:
Deadline for installation of diesel retrofits that do not comply with the 2009 NO2 limit.

As of January 1, 2009, all verified diesel retrofits sold and installed must comply with the 2009 nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions limit as defined in the Verification Procedure, Warranty and In-Use Compliance Requirements for In-Use Strategies to Control Emissions from Diesel Engines (the Procedure), title 13, California Code of Regulations, sections 2700-2710. More information, including the conditional grace period for installation, can be found in Mail-Out #MSC 08-26 online at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/mailout08262009.pdf.
9/3/08:
Diesel emissions control strategies (DECS) are used to control exhaust from diesel fleets. The ARB’s verification procedure requires that a DECS manufacturer specify the fuel necessary for proper functioning of the DECS. Use of any alternative diesel fuels and/or fuel additives not specifically listed in the DECS verification Executive Order is illegal and strictly prohibited. Please read Advisory Number 379 which details the use of alternative diesel fuels and fuel additives in engines equipped with DECS: http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/advs/advs379.pdf.

For further information please contact Ms. Shawn Daley at (626) 575-6972 or sdaley@arb.ca.gov or Mr. Tajinder Gill at (626) 459-4304 or tgill@arb.ca.gov
8/4/08:
VIN Stop Request Application is now available as an online form - ARB's process to stop vehicle re-registration has been made available online. Public Agencies and Utilities can complete the request for VIN Stop prior to selling a vehicle out of state or scrapping it, using the Online VIN Stop Application Form to prevent a buyer from re-registering the vehicle in California. ARB recommends the VIN Stop Application be submitted at least one month prior to the sell of the vehicle. For more information regarding retirement of a vehicle, visit the PAU retirement page.
7/22/08:
Latest Version of the Proposed Changes to the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities - The Air Resources Board (ARB) releases latest version of the proposed changes to the Public Fleet Rule alongside with the proposed Truck and Bus Rule.

The
draft language of the latest version begins on page "A-9" following the proposed Truck and Bus Rule. Please note at the beginning there is an errata to the Diesel Particulate Matter Control Measure for On-road Heavy-duty Diesel-fueled Vehicles Owned or Operated by Public Agencies and Utilities.

The latest version of the proposed Public Fleet Rule includes:
1.
All light heavy-duty engines as part of a municipality's or utility's total fleet,
2.
VIN Stop request requirement prior to selling a vehicle out of state,
3.
Third party vehicle seller contract requirement, and
4.
2007 and newer engines, certified above 0.01 g/bhp-hr standard, will be under a new Group 4 for BACT compliance.

ARB invites you to participate in a series of workshops to discuss the proposed changes.

San Diego July 22, 2008 10:00AM - 2:00PM El Centro July 22, 2008 6:00PM - 9:00PM

El Monte July 24, 2008 10:00AM - 2:00PM Redding July 28, 2008 12:00PM - 4:00PM and 5:00PM - 8:00PM

San Jose July 30, 2008 12:00PM - 4:00PM and 5:00PM - 8:00PM Sacramento July 31, 2008 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Riverside August 4, 2008 5:30PM - 8:30PM Fresno August 5, 2008 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Arvin August 5, 2008 5:00PM - 8:00PM

A
list of workshops with specific dates and locations is available.
6/18/08:
Accelerated Turnover Option Deadline July 31, 2008 - A municipality or utility located in a Low-Population County or that has been granted Low-Population County status may apply to the Air Resources Board to follow the accelerated turnover option. The Air Resources Board must receive a letter of intent to follow the accelerated turnover option from a municipality or utility by July 31, 2008. More information is available on the accelerated turnover option webpage.
6/18/08:
Auction House and Dealership Advisory - Proposed changes to the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities to affect auction houses and dealerships. Once a municipality or utility notifies an auction house or dealership that a vehicle must be sold out-of-state, it is the auction house or dealership's responsibility to: 1) ensure that vehicle is sold out-of-state or if sold in-state, inform the intermediate buyer of these requirements; 2) inform the new buyer that the vehicle cannot be registered in California; and 3) notify the new buyer to inform future buyers that the vehicle cannot be registered/operated in California.
5/22/08:
Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities' Vehicle Retirement Webpage Updated - The Air Resources Board updated the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities' vehicle retirement webpage. This webpage explains how to ensure proper "retirement" of a vehicle to satisfy the best available control technology requirement.
5/19/08:
Proposed Changes to the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities - The Air Resources Board (ARB) proposes changes to the Fleet Rule for Public Agencies and Utilities regulation (Fleet Rule) alongside with the proposed On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle regulation (Statewide Truck and Bus regulation). A summary of the proposed changes to the Fleet Rule is available.

The
draft language of the revised Fleet Rule begins on page "A-3" following the Statewide Truck and Bus regulation.

ARB invites you to participate in a series of workshops to discuss the proposed revisions.

El Monte Wednesday, May 21, 2008 San Jose Friday, May 30, 2008

San Diego Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Redding Monday, June 2, 2008

El Centro Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Sacramento Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Riverside Thursday, May 29, 2008 Fresno Tuesday, June 10, 2008

A
list of workshops with specific dates and locations is available.

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