Clean-air rule targets existing diesel-truck fleet

Big rigs in southern California will need to cut certain emissions, under a regulation approved last week.

from the October 1, 2007 edition

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"The strengthening they've done with this new plan and [new] truck rule is substantial," says NRDC scientist Diane Bailey.

Truckers and trucking associations say the new regulations will sock them with billions in new costs. Trucks, they say, are responsible for smaller portions of noxious emissions than people think – only 9 percent of targeted emissions.

"[This new regulation] is like telling everybody that they need to buy a new Prius to bring to work," says Julie Sauls of the California Trucking Association. "We want to do our part but in a feasible way that doesn't cripple our industry."

Independent truckers, many of whom barely eke out a living, say investing in new equipment adds up to yet one more cost that many cannot afford.

"We pay a lot in taxes and tags and license fees for commercial insurance … and they make us use special machinery to test our trucks … and now they want us to do another one," says Ester Hodge, a 30-year trucking veteran and part owner of AJE Trucking Inc. in East L.A. "This is another nuisance."

Heightened collaboration between the California Air Resources Board (CARB). led by new chair Mary Nichols, and local boards such as SCAQMD and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District prompted the breakthrough rule on trucking, say many observers.

"Finally, the state is stepping in to help protect valley residents from this public-health emergency," says Carolina Simunovic of Fresno Metro Ministry, a faith-based health- and social-advocacy organization.

Fresno and Bakersfield, cities in California's agricultural San Joaquin Valley, are listed third and fourth in the US for metro areas most polluted by short-term particle pollution. Besides affecting farms and ranches, smog from noxious exhaust creates visible gauze as far away as Sequoia National Forest – and also damages trees there.

"We're encouraged that the state air board will help us breathe easier by reducing pollution from some of the valley's worst mobile-source air-pollution offenders," says Sara Sharpe of the Coalition for Clean Air.

CARB approved a measure in July that regulates construction and other industrial equipment. This month it is expected to turn its attention to exhaust emissions from ships and harbor craft, which spew tons of noxious fumes while idling in port.

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