CARB considers making truck emissions rule less stringent

SACRAMENTO — The California Air Resources Board agreed to make its Truck and Bus Rule more flexible to truckers operating in  the state.

In light of the recession’s effect on the industry, officials will come back in April with a revised rule, reports Truckinginfo.com.

Saying overall trucking activity was down 10 to 18 percent, Leo Kay, CARB spokesman, said the agency has seen reductions in emissions that they hadn’t counted on before passing the rule.

At the same time, new truck sales are at their lowest levels in 25 years.

The Truck and Bus Rule requires truck owners to install diesel particulate filters on their rigs by Jan. 1, 2011, with nearly all vehicles upgraded by 2014.

Meanwhile, CARB addressed the controversy surrounding the lead scientist behind the rule, who resigned after it was discovered he lied about the Ph.D. he held in statistics.

Senior air board officials reportedly knew about the fraudulent credentials before voting for the rule.

CARB members Ron Roberts and Dr. John Telles have taken to the media to request that the board suspend the truck rule.

According to Kay, however, the rule cannot be suspended right now because of public notice requirements.

Kay emphasized that the science is still valid regardless of the controversy over credentials.