Chamber-Led Californians for a Sound Fuel Strategy Presses Administration to Reject Flawed South Coast Air District Fleet Rules.SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Waiver The voluntary surrender of a known right; conduct supporting an inference that a particular right has been relinquished. The term waiver is used in many legal contexts. Request by District Seeks Continued Implementation of Rules That Allow Government to Choose Winners in Technology Marketplace California's business community is objecting to the state's consideration of a waiver request by the South Coast Air Quality Management District The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), formed in 1976, is the air pollution agency responsible mainly for regulating stationary sources of air pollution for most of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside County, and all of Orange county. that would, if granted, allow the District to implement so-called fleet rules that effectively prohibit public agencies and private businesses from selecting clean diesel vehicles despite their cost-efficiency in reducing emissions of smog-forming NOx and particulate matter particulate matter n. Abbr. PM Material suspended in the air in the form of minute solid particles or liquid droplets, especially when considered as an atmospheric pollutant. Noun 1. . The U.S. Supreme Court in May held that the District's rules are preempted by the federal Clean Air Act. The District's waiver request to the California Air Resources Board California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the "clean air agency" of the state of California in the United States. Established originally in 1967, it is a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, an organization which reports directly to the California would, if granted by both the state agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and , allow the District to continue implementation of the rules. Californians for a Sound Fuel Strategy, a broad-based coalition led by the California Chamber of Commerce, articulated several reasons why the California Air Resources Board should not grant the District a waiver in a letter to Cal-EPA Secretary Terry Tamminen on Wednesday, September 29. A copy of that letter is posted at: http://www.calchamber.com/documents/tamminenltr9-30.pdf. "California air quality policies have worked best when regulators set emission reduction standards and allow all engine and fuel technologies to compete to meet them," said Jeanne Cain, Chairperson chairperson Chairman The head of an academic department. See 'Chair.', Cf Chief. of Californians for a Sound Fuel Strategy and Senior Vice President of the California Chamber of Commerce. "By essentially dictating the use of one technology, the South Coast Air Quality Management District dismisses the potential for greater reductions in NOx and particulate matter that can be achieved by allowing clean diesel technology to compete. The reality is that clean diesel works, it is here now, and it is very cost effective. Our air quality goals can be realized more quickly by allowing this technology to compete alongside natural gas and any others that can make the grade." The California Air Resources Board noticed a 45-day public comment period on the issue late Friday afternoon. To view the notice, go to: http://www.arb arb See arbitrageur. .ca.gov/msprog/publicfleets/scaqmdfleetrules.pdf. |
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