California Proposals Could Save Trucking $3 Billion, Reports Says

A slate of proposed amendments to California’s tough heavy truck diesel emissions reduction regulation would save the trucking industry more than $3 billion in retrofits and engine replacements and delay some compliance requirements by a year or more, according to a report by the state’s environmental regulatory staff.

The report, posted on the California Air Resources Board’s Web site Friday, summarizes an array of proposed amendments to the state’s truck and bus and greenhouse gas regulations aimed at reducing the sting of the freight recession that has severely affected motor carriers the past few years.

The amended regulations also were made public late last month. CARB’s board is scheduled to consider adoption of the amendments on Dec. 16 and 17 after a 45-day public comment period.

“Overall, the estimated compliance costs of the truck and bus regulation over the next five years would be reduced by 50% and would be reduced by about 60% over the life of the regulation,” the report said.