Truckers: Proposed air regulations unaffordable

[The Straight Story]

Truckers: Proposed air regulations unaffordable

If California's Air Resources Board has its way and adopts strict new regulations to reduce emissions from diesel trucks, Bakersfield truck driver Jim Ehoff says it'll spell doom for an already depressed trucking industry.

"It's going to put a lot of people out of business. If you don't need a trucking company, you're not going to need a driver," said Ehoff.

The Air Resources Board votes on Dec. 11 and 12 on landmark regulations. If adopted, the rules would require truck owners to install exhaust filters on their rigs starting in 2010.

The rules also would require long-haul truckers to equip their vehicles with fuel-efficient tires and aerodynamic devices that lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy.

But local truckers say they can't afford the added cost to comply with the proposed regulations.

"My company alone is looking at a $2 million cost over and above what we budget for, what we anticipated for," said Daniel Mairs, president of Cox Petroleum Export.

http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/35523489.html

[MarkInCA]

1. I'm in the ag industry,

and it is true, a lot of small time local haulers will go under with new regulations.

I'm kind of torn though, I also understand how terrible our air is and how the trucking operations which are barely getting by and can't afford the regulations also often drive death trap aged trucks.

[Xithras]

2. Or, it will simply push their registrations out of state.

California air regulations on vehicles only apply to vehicles registered in California. Vehicles registered in other states do not need to comply.

I predict a boom in new short-haul trucking companies in Nevada. Whole fleets of ag trucks parked in the high desert most of the year, which migrate into California during harvest time, and head back to Nevada afterwards.

I actually agree that the trucks pollute too much and that we need to do something about it, but I don't expect these new rules to actually accomplish much.

[sam sarrha]

3. they already do that..to avoid shelf tax, 10 years ago my brother couldn't find a Head Gasket for a

350 Chevy engine.. all the auto shops said they didn't have one but could have one by 8:00am

it REALLY PISSED HIM OFF.. i explained to him why, to avoid inventory taxes.

there are all kinds of ware houses just across the state line and a truck'n industry to serve them.

this law seems to be influenced by out of state truckers to Capitalize on the deliberate consequences