January 3, 2008

Corona Chamber to Protect Businesses Against State Air Quality Mandates

The Corona Chamber of Commerce is urging its local legislators and other elected officials to work with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in developing regulations that target heavy-duty diesel vehicles are fair to the businesses and individuals that own and operate these types of vehicles. The Chamber has already opposed similar mandated regulations on diesel vehicles in SB 140, a mandated renewable diesel fuel regulation and another related issue in SB 210, creating a costly low carbon fuel standard that conflicts with the existing standard created by Governor. Both pieces of legislation failed to become law this past year.

“We realize that it is important to improve California’s air quality but it cannot be done on the backs of business,” stated Cynthia Schneider, Chair of the Corona Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee. “We want our local legislators and our various other elected officials to come together with CARB to find a long term solution that can work for all,” continued Schneider.

The goal of the regulations is to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in order to meet standards set forth under the federal Clean Air Act and the State Implementation Plan. CARB is expected to vote on the proposed regulations in the summer of 2008. CARB has developed several strategies in an effort to meet the goals of the diesel risk reduction plan. These strategies include new clean engine requirements, cleaning up existing engines and the use of cleaner fuel.

The potential impact on the business community will be significant. For example any business operating in California that owns any vehicle subject to these regulations, which include diesel trucks over 14,000 pounds, concrete mixers, dump trucks, bucket/boom trucks, crane trucks, hay squeeze vehicles, tow trucks, fuel tank trucks, passenger buses and more, will be required to comply on a tiered timeframe. There are also complications to the regulations because some of the technology needed to comply with these regulations are not yet made available or are not available in sufficient quantity to meet the demand created by these regulations. Any businesses with small or large vehicle fleets will feel the burden of an unbelievable cost to meet the regulations.

The Chamber believes that it is important to meet state and federal goals for improving California air quality. However, the Chamber does not support required mandates that may ultimately have a significant impact on the business community and ultimately the California economy.