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I would like to express my views regarding the proposed rules being
considered for On-Road diesel engines. As a small business owner
with a spouse who is the operator this is a recipe for disaster. A
bill such as this would bankrupt our business in a heart beat. The
majority of the drivers (owner operators) small construction
companies have no problem with cleaner air. The problem lies with
the time limits. As a small business owner the profits are little
if any. In fact this last tax filing we were actually $2000.00 in
the red.  These new laws will put us right out of business. Why
not help the older truck owners with the retrofitting of newer
engines instead of just putting them out of business. Our cost at
this time to retrofit the engine is a minimal $30,000.00. This is
no way feasible now especially with the housing market slowing We
may be going out of state for work if things don’t pick up. We
might spend too much on my maintenance but our truck runs strong
and is mechanically sound and a safe piece of equipment. We are
proud of our truck and the small success of our business. I ask
you to really consider the following:

 

            The time line to change over a fleet (1 to 20 trucks)
is too harsh with the completion time to short. Which will mean a
LOT of money will be needed to up date or buy new equipment over a
short period of time. Money I simply do not have. Please extend the
time line.

The manufactures, like the auto industry, should be forced to do
these changes in coming models as well as retrofitting existing
equipment.

More programs should be available to help the industry make the
change. This is a big industry with a lot of small businesses
(family businesses) that just make a living and don’t have a lot
of money to make the change over.

Why burden small businesses with this? Why not the manufacturer?
They make the profit and serve a much larger market than just
CALIFORNIA.

Why make my truck, my only asset valueless overnight with
timelines that will eliminate my truck. I need to be allowed to
use my truck until I am able to update it or the STATE helps to
update it. After all it is not the truck that pollutes, it is the
engine; the most costly piece of the truck.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

 

 

Stephenie Davis
Owner

JDSR Company