Major Amendments Relaxing Off-Road Regulation Approved

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To view or download a copy of the fact sheet, go to http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/documents/post_2010_hearing_fact_sheet.pdf

Please note also that if you are considering purchasing a new, cleaner off-road vehicle or retrofitting an existing one, you may wish to look into a new loan assistance program. ARB has received American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to assist businesses in complying with the off-road regulation.

Loans are available for replacement of an off-road vehicle, repower with a cleaner engine, or a verified exhaust retrofit. For more information and eligibility, please visit our website http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap/contributor/offroad.pdf.

Background

On April 22, 2010, staff presented an update to the Board on the emissions inventories used to develop the off-road and the truck and bus regulations, as well as a summary of the impact of the recession on emissions from off-road vehicles, trucks, and buses. At that meeting, the Board asked staff to develop changes to the regulations that would reduce their economic impact on affected businesses during the ongoing economic recession, while continuing to protect public health, meet federal clean air deadlines, and move forward through uncertain economic times. At its December 2010 hearing, staff proposed and the Board voted on amendments to the regulation. The off-road regulation is intended to reduce toxic and smog-forming emissions from off-road vehicles. Reducing such emissions is necessary to meet federally imposed clean air standards and to reduce the adverse health effects from air pollution throughout the state.

For further information on ARB’s diesel vehicle and equipment regulations, please call the California Air Resources Board Diesel Hotline at 866-6DIESEL (866-634-3735). For further information about the off-road diesel vehicle regulation, please visit the off-road regulation website at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/ordiesel.