Regulatory Announcements & Related Information

CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD SMARTWAY DRAFT REGULATION

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a draft regulation the week of June 2 that would establish a greenhouse gas reduction policy for heavy trucks. The rule would require future tractors (2011) that haul 53 ft. trailers to meet EPA “SmartWay” certification.

This latest initiative is part of the state’s goal to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. The “SmartWay” approach is designed to increase fuel efficiency by phasing in requirements for various streamlining techniques for tractors and trailers that would improve the miles per gallon of fuel consumed.

Intermodal chassis and containers and drayage tractors are expected to be exempt from the final regulations. However, 53’ intermodal trailers would fall under the rules. For additional information, please go to CARB’s Web site underand click on “What’s New.” The draft SmartWay regulations are listed by date at www.arb.ca.gov, under May 20, 2008.

A series of workshops throughout July and early August cover the proposed AB 32 Heavy-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Regulation and focus primarily on requirements affecting California businesses that ship and/or receive freight in 53-foot box-type trailers, owners of 53-foot box-type trailers, and other businesses that are involved in the transporation of freight in 53-foot box-type trailers.

Click here to view the workshop schedule.

ROADABILITY

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a proposed schedule in December 2006 for its roadability rulemaking that could have resulted in issuance of a final rule on April 24, 2008.

According to the originally proposed schedule, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) had planned to send its version of the final rule to the Secretary's office on Dec. 10, 2007. One month later, the Secretary was to forward the rule to the White House, which had been expected to take 90 days for its review with a planned completion date of April 10, 2008. The rule would have been issued two weeks later. The schedule was disclosed in a report on significant rulemakings underway at DOT.

The publication date for the rule has been delayed several times. The explanation provided by DOT is that additional coordination is necessary, there have been other, higher priorities and unanticipated issues have required further analysis. Please click the link below for the latest revisions to the proposed schedule.

Regulatory Documents