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newsrel -- ARB, Contractors agree on proposed changes to rule requiring clean up of construction equipment

Posted: 07 Oct 2010 11:07:22
Proposed changes provide extra flexibility and financial relief
to businesses. 


Release #:10-54
Date:10/07/2010

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990

CONTACTs:

Karen Caesar
626-575-6725
kcaesar@arb.ca.gov



ARB, Contractors agree on proposed changes to rule requiring
clean up of construction equipment

Proposed changes provide extra flexibility and financial relief
to businesses

SACRAMENTO - Representatives from the Air Resources Board and the
Associated General Contractors of America trade organization
today agreed on proposed changes to the state’s landmark
“off-road” regulation that will offer affected businesses
additional time and more flexible options for compliance.

“This marks a new chapter for California and its effort to clean
up emissions from diesel engines. We applaud the AGC for showing
leadership on this issue and recognizing that California needs to
control all sources of diesel emissions,” said ARB Chairman Mary
Nichols.  

First adopted in July 2007, the rule affects the state's
estimated 150,000 "off-road" vehicles used in construction,
mining, airport ground support and other industries. It calls for
installation of diesel soot filters and the replacement of older,
dirtier engines with newer emission-controlled models to curb
diesel exhaust. Improvements were originally scheduled to begin
in March 2010 for larger fleets, with medium and small-sized
fleets having staggered implementation through 2015.

“We worked closely with the Associated General Contractors using
a common set of data and assumptions about emissions to develop a
set of proposals that will be cost effective and improve air
quality,” said Nichols. “Our efforts today recognize the severe
financial hardships that many businesses are experiencing due to
the recession, while also ensuring that we meet our clean air
obligations under Federal law.”

The newly proposed amendments, which will be presented for
approval at ARB’s December 16-17 hearing, would streamline the
compliance process and offer businesses additional time and
flexible options to meet requirements. They would also provide
credits for efforts already made to reduce emissions, and
incentivize continued early actions.
If approved, the changes will:

    * Delay start of requirements until January 1, 2014
    * Increase the number of “low-use” equipment exempted
    * Provide simpler compliance options for the smallest fleets
    * Extend benefits for businesses that comply before their
deadline
    * Lower annual requirements to clean up engines 

Other portions of the regulation that went into effect this year,
including reporting, idling and equipment labeling requirements
for all fleets, remain intact and are being enforced.

Diesel particulate matter, or diesel "soot," was identified as a
toxic air contaminant in 1998. In 2000, the ARB established
California's Diesel Risk Reduction Plan, which aims to reduce
diesel emissions to 85 percent below 2000 levels by 2020. Other
sources of diesel particulate matter such as port trucks, private
fleet trucks, transit buses, cargo-handling equipment, trash
trucks and ship engines have already been addressed through
regulations, along with diesel fuel.

A recent ARB study, using peer-reviewed U. S. EPA methodology,
found that very fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is responsible
for 9,000 premature deaths in California, underscoring the need
to address the health risks associated with this form of
pollution.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. 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


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