California’s Air Resources Board issued regulatory guidance this week saying the state is cleared to enforce elements of its emissions regulations that require truck and trailer owners to install aerodynamic add-on devices and use certain tires.
CARB’s guidance issuance comes two months after the Environmental Protection Agency issued California a waiver allowing it to enforce in full its greenhouse gas regulations.
The rule went into effect in January 2010 and requires the use of SmartWay-verified tires and other SmartWay-verified equipment on all new trucks and trailers.
CARB had only been enforcing the rule for 2010 and earlier model trucks and trailers, however, as the EPA’s Clean Air Act had preempted state rules.
In June 2013, CARB asked EPA for a waiver of the preemption, which would allow it to enforce the GHG regs for 2011-2013 year model trucks and 2011 and later trailers.
The equipment required by CARB are verified by the EPA to improve fuel economy and therefore reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
ATA and OOIDA both released statements in August saying they are against the enforcement of the rule, but for different reasons.
Click here to read Overdrive’s coverage from August of the EPA’s issuance of the waiver.