Statewide Business Coalition Urges CARB to Adopt Fuel Neutral Policy for Transit Bus Fleets.Business Editors SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2000 Best Way to Provide Fleet Operators Needed Flexibility in Meeting New Emission Standards Emission standards are requirements that set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the environment. Many emission standards focus on regulating pollutants released by automobiles (motor cars) and other powered vehicles but they can also regulate With 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 (CARB) poised to vote Thursday on emission reduction regulations affecting transit agencies, Californians for a Sound Fuel Strategy (CSFS CSFs colony-stimulating factors. ) today urged the Board to adopt a "fuel neutral" approach that allows both clean diesel technology and natural gas to be utilized. "It is widely believed that the policies adopted by CARB mandating emission reductions for public fleets will form the basis for private fleet regulations in the near future," said Jeanne Cain, vice president of government relations for the California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). Chamber of Commerce, and chair of CSFS. "A 'dual-pathway' approach that allows fleet operators to choose the most efficient and cost-effective cost-effective, n the minimal expenditure of dollars, time, and other elements necessary to achieve the health care result deemed necessary and appropriate. fuel option, whether clean diesel technology or natural gas, would provide needed flexibility to meet emission standards while at the same time promoting development of more effective clean diesel technologies," said Cain. "Research studies recently completed by one of the state's top environmental consulting Environmental consulting is often a form of compliance consulting, in which the consultant ensures that the client maintains an appropriate measure of compliance with environmental regulations. firms show that diesel technology can match natural gas engines for lower emissions and at lower cost." Cain also urged CARB to reject "carve-out Carve-out 1. Sometimes known as a partial spinoff, a carve out occurs when a parent company sells a minority (usually 20% or less) stake in a subsidiary for an IPO or rights offering. 2. " exemptions for local air districts to a statewide "dual-pathway" policy, stressing that such exemptions would undercut undercut, n 1. the portion of a tooth that lies between its height of contour and the gingivae, only if that portion is of less circumference than the height of contour. 2. statewide policy set by the Board and would discourage research and development of promising clean-diesel technology. "Allowing local air districts to mandate a de facto [Latin, In fact.] In fact, in deed, actually. This phrase is used to characterize an officer, a government, a past action, or a state of affairs that must be accepted for all practical purposes, but is illegal or illegitimate. ban on diesel fleet vehicles through carve-out exemptions will cripple crip·ple n. One that is partially disabled or unable to use a limb or limbs. v. To cause to lose the use of a limb or limbs. the market for clean diesel technology," warned Cain. The coalition recently submitted a comprehensive report to the Board to aid in its deliberations. The commissioned report, A Comparative Analysis of the Feasibility and Cost of Compliance with Potential Future Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles Using Diesel or Natural Gas, prepared by Sierra Research, presents the following significant findings:
-- Natural gas engines will be capable of achieving substantially
lower emissions than diesel engines only in the near term
(through 2003), until aftertreatment devices can be applied to
diesel engines.
-- Aftertreatment devices are being developed that will allow
diesel-fueled engines to comply with the Board's proposed 2004
bus emission standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
particulate matter (PM) when used in conjunction with low-sulfur
diesel fuel. At that point, diesel engines will be cleaner than
natural gas engines without aftertreatment devices.
-- Aftertreatment devices and other modifications to diesel engines
are much more cost-effective for reducing NOx and PM emissions
than is the outright substitution of natural gas engines for
diesel engines.
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CSFS supports development of a scientifically credible, cost-effective approach for regulating emissions from diesel-fueled engines, applied statewide. Californians for a Sound Fuel Strategy is a statewide coalition of 61 businesses, trade organizations and labor groups. The California Chamber is the largest broad-based employer representative in California. Membership is nearly 12,000 and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry throughout the state. The California Chamber also offers publications and services to help California businesses comply with both state and federal employment law. The California Chamber also promotes international trade and investment in order to stimulate California's economy and create new jobs. Please visit our website at www.calchamber.com. |
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