Diesel industry group applauds California’s funding of truck retrofits

California is providing an initial $25 million round of funding, targeting 1,000 older model trucks for replacement or retrofit. The program is part of $1 billion set aside in Proposition 1B to pay for air quality improvement projects from the movement of goods in the state.

The Trucker Staff

1/7/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Diesel Technology Forum on Friday applauded the California Air Resources Board for targeting diesel emissions reductions from goods movement in the state with $25 million from Proposition 1B.

“For many years, California has been at the forefront pushing for cleaner diesel engines and fuels and the diesel industry and fuel refiners have delivered the first wave of this new technology. This funding measure underscores the importance of clean diesel technology to meeting the state’s energy and environmental challenges of both today and tomorrow,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, a trade group made up of vehicle manufacturers, engine makers, components suppliers and energy companies. “The diesel industry stands ready to help the state of California clean up its air.”

New diesel vehicles are up to 98 percent cleaner than the older trucks that are being replaced. Likewise, retrofits are a cost-effective means of reducing tailpipe emissions, DTF said. Retrofit devices can be installed on vehicles to reduce in-use emissions up to 85 percent, depending on the technology and the characteristics of the vehicle or equipment.

“Diesel is cleaner now than ever before and getting cleaner every day,” Schaeffer said. “By investing this initial $25 million and focusing on the most cost-effective, quickest route to cleaner air, California will be able to maximize its investment in cleaning up the air while keeping vital freight moving.”

The CARB staff is proposing that $25 million in early grant projects be allocated primarily to the Los Angeles/Inland Empire Region (55 percent) and Central Valley (26 percent). These are where most of the trucks travel from the state’s ports along major transportation corridors. According to CARB, the money is aimed at replacing or retrofitting 1,000 older trucks as well as installing electric shore power at two ship berths in the San Francisco Bay Area. The funds will be distributed by local air districts in the affected areas.

The 2007-08 budget signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger funded an initial $250 million of the $1 billion set aside in Proposition 1B to pay for air quality improvement projects from the movement of goods in California. Proposition 1B was part of Gov. Schwarzenegger's Strategic Growth Plan, put on the ballot by the Legislature and before the voters in November 2006. Voters overwhelming approved the near $20 billion bond, which also made significant investments in highway improvements, congestion relief, expanded public transit, safer rail crossings and improved anti-terrorism security at shipping ports, according to the DTF statement.

Under the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality and Port Security Bond Act of 2006, CARB is authorized to spend a total of $1 billion on air quality improvement projects in California's major trade corridors.

Diesel engines power two-thirds of all farm and construction equipment and over 90 percent of all commercial trucks. The form noted that the diesel industry contributes nearly $13 billion annually to California’s economy.

The Forum has offices in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.