Newly Published Off-Road Diesel Emissions Rule Reflects Agreement with 蜜桔直播 to Delay and Ease Emissions Reductions Mandates, Saving the Industry At Least $1.5 Billion
鈥淭he amended published today by the California Air Resources Board brings California鈥檚 550,000 remaining construction workers one step closer to much needed relief. The revised rule reflects an earnest, good-faith effort by the Board鈥檚 staff to both delay and scale back many of the regulation鈥檚 original mandates. As we agreed, the rule has been delayed by four years, annual emissions reduction requirements have been eased and contractors will receive credit for their voluntary efforts to reduce the emissions of their off-road diesel fleets. These changes will save contractors a minimum of $1.5 billion compared to the earlier rule, according to the Board鈥檚 initial estimates, while ensuring greater overall emissions reductions.
鈥淲hile we continue to work through a number of technical challenges associated with this new rule, we believe the changes now on the table will give California鈥檚 construction contractors the time they require to recover from the economic downturn. More important, we are demonstrating that the best way to reduce diesel emissions is to give the latest technology time to make its way into the marketplace. Newly manufactured equipment is getting cleaner every year and as newer vehicles replace older ones, the debate over retroactive mandates will likely dissipate. This is how we have improved the gas mileage of our automobiles, and it remains the best way to reduce off-road diesel emissions. We encourage the Board鈥檚 members to approve this new rule during their December meeting,鈥 said Mike Kennedy, the general counsel for the Associated General Contractors of America.
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