The California Air Resources Board acknowledged last week that its research behind an off-road diesel rule missed the mark by 340 percent.

The acknowledgement comes on the heels of last year’s revelation that a CARB researcher faked his resume and repeatedly lied to his employer while developing science behind CARB’s proposed on- and off-road diesel rules.

As reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, CARB admitted last week that its scientific analysis overestimated diesel pollution levels by 340 percent in 2007. That research helped form the foundation for comprehensive off-road diesel engine rules that affect many construction businesses.

The same researcher, Hien Tran, also analyzed science behind CARB’s on-road truck and bus regulation, which has been estimated to cost the trucking industry $10 billion to comply with.

The off-road rule has been amended. The on-road rule has been amended multiple times and is slated for formal adoption at CARB’s December board meeting.

CARB’s recent on-road truck and bus amendments include not requiring particulate matter filters to be retrofitted for trucks with model year engines 1997 and older. Also, no trucks would need to be replaced until 2015. All trucks must have 2010 MY engines by 2023, and companies must replace trucks at least 20 years old between 2015 and 2020. Trucks with 2009 and older MY engines must be replaced between 2021 and 2023.

CARB says the on-road amendments should decrease the trucking industry’s burden by 60 percent.

Joe Rajkovacz, OOIDA director of regulatory affairs, said OOIDA was critical of scientific “guesstimates” in comments the Association submitted during the rulemaking process of California’s Drayage Truck Rule.

That practice of stretching science has hurt CARB, Rajkovacz said.

“Coupled with the scandal involving Tran’s falsified education credentials and Mary Nichols’ lack of transparency in disclosing that information to her own board, CARB has a credibility gap with most of industry,” Rajkovacz said.

In comments the Association filed with CARB during the agency’s process adopting the statewide drayage truck rule, OOIDA pointed out the power of CARB’s regulatory actions and the importance that its science and rules be carefully constructed.

Rajkovacz said CARB should welcome public examination of its science, or risk damaging its reputation.

“Political support for initiatives designed to clean the air we breathe are significantly harmed when both the science and process used to justify the regulations are themselves a puff of smoke,” Rajkovacz said.

– By Charlie Morasch, staff writer
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The California Air Resources Board cited nearly 1,000 commercial vehicle drivers for violating the state’s five-minute diesel idling limit in 2009, racking up almost $300,000 in fines.

CARB recently released its enforcement statistics for 2009, including $7 million tied to its diesel programs, including the idling limit and requirements that reefers and other equipment be retrofitted or replaced.

CARB collected more than $16 million in penalties in 2009, with nearly $15 million of that from administrative fines and $1.6 million from civil litigation. Besides diesel regulations, CARB also enforces a number of car, motorcycle and other gas engine rules.

Cases involving diesel fleet and exhaust retrofits totaled about $5.9 million.

The full report is available by clicking here.

– By Charlie Morasch, staff writer
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Trucking companies are so concerned with the environment that they  have teamed up with the  Smart way EPA program, creating their own strict limited idling rules for their drivers. This program gives awards to companies that are most compliant and “eco friendly”, and many times you will see these company trucks proudly displaying their partnership with Smart Way, sharing their enthusiasm for caring for “Mother Earth” and fuel conservation….But here comes the truth….the other side of the coin.

READ MORE......

Once again the hot summer months are rapidly approaching, and yet more states have adopted anti-idling regulations. Enforcement has been increased due to budget shortfalls and the need for increased revenue. Where is the relief for the company employed truck driver?

Last January, IdleAire which was the only in-truck climate control alternative for drivers who's companies do not provide APU's has gone bankrupt and ceased operations. As usual OSHA and NIOSH seems to be ignoring the situation, and our elected officials keep signing these anti-idling laws all over the country. I can assure you that none of them sleep without heat or air conditioning. Maybe it's time to boot them out of office!

Currently the HOT political topic is "Driver Fatigue"! Ask yourself how much rest can a truck driver get while sleeping in an aluminum truck sitting in the sun with no air conditioner. There are some states that do allow idling during hot or cold weather. However others don't care about the safety or health of truck drivers at all. California does not allow a truck to idle past 5 minutes ever, no matter how hot or cold it gets. In California, it's not just a ticket, it can be treated as a major crime with civil and criminal penalties. Then you have Maricopa county in Arizona, which is one of the HOTTEST places in America - No Idling!  Some cities and counties in Colorado the penalty is fines up to $1,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment. Connecticut has fines up to $5,000 but does allow you to idle if it is less than 20 degrees, but no provision for summer heat. Some other places with zero tolerance for idling during summer are, Florida (after 9-30-2013); Atlanta, GA; Maryland; Massachusetts; Missouri; Nevada; New Hampshire; New York; Texas(many cities and towns including Dallas) and Virginia (in urban areas).

There are other states that only allow idling for 5-10 minutes per hour. I guess truck drivers have to wake up every hour to cool off the truck. How ridiculous is that?

If you live in one of these places, I encourage you to contact your lawmakers and ask them to change the law and allow the idling of trucks during hot weather so the A/C can be used while a driver sleeps. A good restful sleep is the best way to fight FATIGUE!

Below there is a link for PDF files with a list of the current idling laws by state. Please take a look. If you are a trucker, download the "cab card" version and keep it with you.

Here are this year's (2010) updated idling laws by state.

Idling Laws by State (full page)

Idling Laws by State (cab card)

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For months, even before the December 12, 2008 vote to implement massive rules affecting the trucking industry, CARB (California Air Resources Board) board members knew that their lead researcher Hien Tran had lied about his education. Hien Tran claimed he had a PhD from U.C. Davis, in fact he lied to his supervisor when asked to provide proof of his education (see email). Yet the board members of CARB chose to cover it up. Tran's research has lead to the current policies being enforced by ARB currently and massive upgrades that the entire trucking industry is facing in the very near future. Hien Tran has been demoted but not dismissed from

During the HOT summer months, truck idling to maintain driver comfort while sleeping has become illegal in many jurisdictions. Recently many cities in Texas are now citing drivers for idling their engines, And during a heatwave. These laws have effectively turned hard working, honest truck drivers into criminals. In California it is a misdemeanor crime to idle your engine and the law can include civil penalties on top of criminal penalties. A misdemeanor crime conviction on a driver can prevent that driver from getting a job or even entering

DOES THIS DRIVER LOOK LIKE HE IS GETTING MUCH REST?

Location: Coachella, CA - Outside Air Tempurature 101F - Tempurature inside the Sleeper? UNBEARABLE!

Do you have a car? I know ridiculous question right, of course you do! Now think about the last time you parked your car in the sun while you went shopping or were at work. How hot was the interior of your car when you got inside? 120 degrees, 130? Higher? Was your steering wheel so hot you had to use your fingertips to steer? With the current Diesel Anti-Idling laws being passed nationwide, we expect our Truck Drivers to try to sleep in their sleepers in those very same conditions! No A/C, No Heat! See the

http://www.epa.gov/smartway/documents/420b06004.pdf

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckernews/specialreports/idling_laws_affecting_truckers.shtml