The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently released two new draft truck rules that would dramatically reduce diesel fuel consumption and better protect public health and the environment, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
One rule, a first-of-its-kind proposal addressing truck global warming pollution, would significantly reduce heat-trapping emissions. The other rule, which addresses smog-forming and particulate pollution, would markedly improve California air quality, saving thousands of lives over the next decade.
CARB’s first proposal would boost heavy-duty-truck fuel efficiency to reduce their global warming emissions. The main target is the most common type of truck on the highway: a 53-foot-long trailer pulled by a large tractor. According to UCS, the rule would save 1 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually across the country in 2020. UCS calculates that the up-front cost of installing fuel efficient technology on tractors and trailers would be offset by reduced fuel costs over time.
The new rule would require both new trucks and those already on the road to add aerodynamic features and more fuel-efficient tires. Such improvements would boost fuel-efficiency by 8%, according to a recent UCS report. Additionally, the regulation would require sleep-in cabs in new tractors to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay specifications. The SmartWay program is similar to the voluntary EnergyStar program for consumer appliances, but it focuses on tractors with sleep-in cabs. SmartWay-certified tractors are typically 2% more fuel-efficient than standard ones.
The new rule would apply to new tractors and trailers starting with the 2011 model year. Truck owners would have to upgrade tractors model year 2010 and older by 2012, and upgrade trailers model year 2010 and older by 2013. Under the draft rule, fleets would have the option to phase in these upgrades over a six-year period.
Smog Rule
CARB’s proposed rule controlling smog-forming emissions and particulate matter targets all diesel-fueled heavy-duty trucks operating on California’s roads, including typical big-rig trucks and school buses. The rule would surpass the EPA’s emissions reductions requirements.
Under the rule, most vehicles would need a diesel particulate filter by 2014. Such filters would cut particulate matter more than 95% and reduce emissions to levels currently achieved by today’s new trucks. CARB’s proposed rule would phase in between 2011 and 2023 and apply to any diesel truck heavier than 14,000 pounds traveling in the state. It also would require school buses to be equipped with particulate filters, which would better protect young children.
Additionally, the rule targets smog-forming emissions from trucks, which account for a third of such pollution in the state. Truck owners would have the next 15 years to comply by either installing additional emissions controls or upgrading to vehicles that meet EPA standards set to take effect in model year 2010.
Both the San Joaquin Valley and Los Angeles metropolitan area are relying on this proposed regulation to meet federal air quality standards. CARB estimates the rule would prevent 9,400 premature deaths and thousands of hospitalizations for heart and lung disease associated with poor air quality over the next 15 years.
CARB estimates the two new rules would cost $5.5 billion over the next 15 years, but it calculates that the benefits in reduced hospitalizations, asthma attacks and other health problems would be between $48 billion and $68 billion over the same period. Acknowledging that truck owners would need financial assistance to meet the new standards, the state plans to establish a loan program. To this end, CARB already has amassed $48 million in seed money.
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