Proposed Pollution Road Changes

Sonora, CA — Mother Lode diesel truck and bus drivers could see emission restrictions relaxed, but only if they register by the state’s deadline.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has proposed changes to their existing On-Road Truck and Bus Regulation. According to the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District, the regulation affects most diesel-fueled trucks on the roads in California with a weight greater than 14,000 pounds.

Here are the ARB’s proposed amendments to the regulation:

• Providing additional time for fleets in some areas (including Tuolumne) to meet the particulate matter exhaust filter requirements;
• Increasing the low-use vehicle thresholds;
• Reopening the registration period for owners to report vehicle and owner information, which is a requirement to take advantage of any amendments to the regulation; and,
• Expanding the NOx Exempt Area definition to include Tuolumne and adjacent mountain counties exempting 2010 engine requirements.

In order to take advantage of the possible rule revisions, you need to enter your truck, bus or fleet information into the ARB’s TRUCRS database. The deadline to register is January 31, 2014. Click here for more information or call the Tuolumne County Air District at 533-5693.