Cox Questions Whether Caltrans Is In Compliance With Mandate

Sonora, CA — 1st District State Senator Dave Cox is continuing to place pressure on California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols for not postponing new requirements for gas nozzles at service stations.

Effective April 1st, all gas nozzles must catch 98 percent of emissions, rather than 95 percent. Businesses found in violation are subject to a fine.

“It is kind of an interesting situation in that we are beating up on the private sector, but we haven’t taken care of it as far as the State of California is concerned and some of the other public entities,” says Cox. “We have reason to believe that there are a significant number of public entities that are not in compliance, including Caltrans.”

Officials say the upgrade costs an estimated $12-15,000 per gas nozzle.

“I don’t know how they came up with the two or three percent number, because not much is changing,” says Ken Keagy who owns Gold Country Gas in downtown Sonora and a Chevron station on Mono Way. “We’re having to throw away hoses almost identical to what we are putting on.”

“The only thing I can see is that the new style nozzle is drip proof, so you won’t be able to drip anything on the ground when you pull it out of your car,” he adds.

Keagy said he considered closing Gold Country Gas because of the financial strain the new regulations put on the business, but says he has decided to move forward with installation.

Written by bjhansen@mlode.com