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newsrel -- California Air Resources Board applauds new federal fuel efficiency, greenhouse gas standards for heavy duty trucks
Posted: 16 Aug 2016 09:04:48
Please consider the following update from the California Air Resources Board: http://bit.ly/2b9Sz5V -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2016 CONTACT: Dave Clegern (916) 322-2990 dave.clegern@arb.ca.gov California Air Resources Board applauds new federal fuel efficiency, greenhouse gas standards for heavy duty trucks SACRAMENTO: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced its support of new standards finalized today by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that will reduce carbon pollution and improve fuel efficiency from medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The Phase 2 standards announced today will cut emissions and improve efficiency for a wide range of vehicles, from heavy-duty pickups to large 18-wheel tractor-trailer trucks. They include the first ever national standards for improved aerodynamics and tires on big-rig trailers. California has had a GHG-reduction regulation in place for box-type trailers 53 feet and longer since 2010. CARB staff worked closely with EPA and NHTSA staff over the past several years as the standards were developed, and submitted detailed comments on the proposed standards last October. The federal agencies modified their proposal to address many of CARB’s concerns, including greater emphasis on advanced technologies and mitigating potential increases in diesel particulate matter. To meet our long-term greenhouse gas goals out to 2050, California will need to continue to make progress, even after the Phase 2 standards are fully implemented in 2027. The ARB is looking forward to continued cooperation with the federal agencies on this long-term effort. In addition, CARB is looking forward to working with the federal agencies to develop new, lower NOx standards which are critically needed in California to clean the state’s air in time to meet federal Clean Air Act deadlines. In order to achieve the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards set by US EPA, CARB estimates that the South Coast Air Basin alone (including Los Angeles) will need an 80 percent reduction in NOx emissions by 2031. “We support this comprehensive effort by USEPA and NHTSA to cut greenhouse gases from heavy duty trucks,” said CARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “We will continue our strong partnership with them as we move forward together to establish nitrogen oxide standards that will help address California’s unique air pollution challenges.” Heavy-duty vehicles on California highways contribute about one-third of all NOx emissions in the state. Because many trucks operating in California are first purchased outside the state, mandatory, lower federal NOx standards are crucial for California. In addition, 60 percent of total heavy-duty truck miles in Southern California on any given day are driven by trucks purchased outside of California. Nitrogen oxide (NOX) is one of the major precursors of tropospheric ozone (ozone), exposure to which is associated with a number of adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects. These effects are particularly pronounced among children, the elderly, and people with lung disease such as asthma. NOX is also a major contributor to secondary PM2.5 formation, and exposure to PM2.5 itself has been linked to a number of adverse health effects such as heart attacks and premature mortality. In addition, NOx exposure is linked to asthma exacerbation and possibly to asthma development in children. The Golden State, long recognized as having the nation’s poorest air quality thanks to its geography and large population of people and vehicles, is already fighting the battle against air pollution related to freight and heavy duty vehicles on several fronts. Last month, State agency leaders responding to an executive order from the Governor issued the Sustainable Freight Action Plan, a blueprint for modernizing the state’s multi-billion dollar freight transport system including ships, trucks and rail with a focus on zero- and near-zero emission technologies. First adopted in 2008, the Statewide Truck and Bus regulation is a cornerstone of CARB’s overall plan to significantly reduce diesel emissions from a variety of sourcesas called for in the Diesel Risk Reduction Plan, adopted in 2000. In May, CARB issued a comprehensive Mobile Source Strategy. Its goals for heavy duty vehicles include: • Lowering emissions; • Establishing more stringent NOx standards for new engines; and • Accelerating deployment of zero and near-zero emissions technology. To keep abreast of new developments as California develops its Phase 2 Heavy Duty Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards, sign up for the list-serv here: http://bit.ly/2blpra7 To learn more, visit California Phase 2 here: http://bit.ly/2b9RKtT The new federal Heavy Duty Phase II regulation is here: http://bit.ly/2bkD508 California is in a drought emergency. Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.