Local Truckers Say Not So Fast To New Emissions Regulations
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- As California continues to lead the nation in fighting pollution, local truckers said Wednesday afternoon that one proposed idea could hurt their business.
The California Air Resources Board's (ARB) proposal would require all diesel trucks and busses in the state to be replaced or retrofitted in 2010 to meet tougher pollution standards, standards above and beyond the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Truckers say it is a proposal that could cost them.
"They proposed an aggressive plan to reduce emissions which we are in favor of doing, but we believe our proposal, the DTCC (Driving Toward a Cleaner California) proposal, is a much more flexible plan at less cost to consumers and to carriers." said Danny Mairs, President and CEO of Cox Petroleum Transport.
In other words, trucking companies would like to see the state gradually enforce the cleaner emissions standards, so that vehicles from 2006 and 2008 could be slowly phased out rather than be forced to undergo expensive retrofits or even replacements.
"In our industry in the state of California we're looking at a cost of over $5 billion cost to the trucking industry," Mairs said. "At my company alone, we're looking at a $2 million cost over and above what we budgeted for, what we anticipated for."
But that's if the proposal, as it stands now, is accepted by the ARB next week. The ARB must have a plan in place by January 1st under Assembly Bill 32 to reduce green house gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
One way to reduce that is to address the causes and diesel trucks and busses are a significant cause.
"About 40% of our nitrogen oxide, which is the primary thing that contributes to smog or ozone pollution, comes from heavy duty diesel trucks," said Brenda Turner, spokesperson for the Valley Air Control District. Turner added that the only way to see anything change in terms of smog is to address those heavy duty diesel trucks.
But the truckers say that given the recession and credit crisis, implementing such standards could mean not just fewer trucks on the roads but fewer jobs.
The California Trucking Association plans to attend the meeting about the proposal next week in Sacramento and they're hopeful the air resources board will listen to their alternative to gradually enforce these new emission standards.
