CARB Rule Limits Truck Idling; Agency Sees Light Enforcement
A California Air Resources Board regulation limiting trucks to five minutes of idling time when they are not active was scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, but the agency did not anticipate strict enforcement of the regulation, its spokesman said.
New Congress Could Fund Bypassed Highway Projects
House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) indicated that when Congress convenes in January he would seek funding for highway projects left out of the 2005 transportation spending bill, a congressional staff member said.
CARB Orders Reprogramming of Older Truck Engines by April
The California Air Resources Board voted Dec. 9 to require five engine manufacturers to upgrade emission reduction software in certain trucks that operate in the state by the end of April. The mandate replaces the voluntary plan instituted earlier this year.
CARB Delays Action on Clean Air Act Waiver Request
The California Air Resources Board delayed action earlier this month on a request for a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act, a waiver that would allow the state to impose tougher emission rules..
Congress Must Start Over on Highway Funding Bill
Congress did not pass legislation authorizing new multi-year transportation spending before it adjourned last week, so the 109th Congress will have to start over with the measure after it convenes in January, congressional committee staff members said.
States to Delay Diesel Lubrication Standards
Many states that use ASTM International guidelines have decided to delay implementation of a ruling that would require, effective Jan. 1, a minimum amount of lubricating qualities in diesel fuel, industry officials said.
Experts Say EPA May Use Recent Study To Justify Tighter Air-Quality Standards
Industry experts said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent assessment of airborne particulate matter could support the tightening of ambient air particulate-matter standards when the agency reviews those standards later this year.
FAA Plans to Move Faster on Hazmat Investigations
The Federal Aviation Administration will develop a plan by Dec. 31 to speed investigations and encourage air carriers to voluntarily report hazardous materials violations, in the wake of a recent report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s inspector general criticizing the agency’s monitoring of hazardous materials, an FAA spokeswoman said..
CARB Calls for Refrigeration Units to Meet 2008 Emission Standards
A California Air Resources Board regulation scheduled to take effect Dec. 10 would require diesel-fueled transport refrigeration units operating in that state to meet certain emission requirements by 2008.
Pipelines to Ban Diesel Containing Lubricating Additives
The largest U.S. pipeline operator, Colonial Pipeline, said it plans to ban diesel fuel with lubricity additives from its system, which would require the oil industry to spend millions of dollars to equip their terminals to add the chemicals. Others are likely to follow.