Comment Log Display

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is currently considering
the adoption of an on-road diesel truck regulation that, if
implemented as presently drafted, would have a profound negative
impact on California’s economy and on my business.

My wife and I founded Golden Eagle Moving Services based in
Upland, CA in 1981 with no resources except the willingness to work
hard and the belief that no matter what, we would succeed.  We grew
a little at a time, paying cash for old equipment and upgrading
little by little as we could afford to.  We have grown steadily
since that time.  Two years ago, before the housing market started
to tank, we were grossing almost 10 million dollars per year with
75 employees and 20 independent truck owner-operators.  Even with
necessary cutbacks, we have the same number of owner-operators and
about 60 employees and will gross a little under $8 million in
2008.   Golden Eagle Moving Services is the embodiment of the
American Dream and that dream for us and for thousands of other
California trucking companies is in jeopardy   

As a native Californian, I know how much good the CARB has done to
improve the quality of the air in California.  I remember how bad
it was in the sixties and seventies and I support continued
improvement.  The diesel retrofit regulations proposed by CARB,
however, go too far too fast and will force companies like ours to
dispose of equipment that still has years of useful life.  The only
buyers for our current older equipment are Mexican truck dealers
who pay pennies on the dollar.  We recently sold two of our oldest
trucks to one of these dealers and will accept delivery on two 2009
replacement units next March.  We cannot, however, replace our
entire fleet in a matter of a couple of years.  We will be faced
with the prospect of severely downsizing or just closing our
doors.

Golden Eagle Moving Services is a member of the California Moving
and Storage Association and along with the CMSA and other
California trucking organizations we support an alternative
proposal advocated by the Driving Toward a Cleaner California
Coalition.  This proposal would give companies like ours the
opportunity to comply in the most reasonable timeframe and flexible
manner possible while still attaining aggressive emission
reductions.  I ask you to do what you can to bring common sense to
this situation.  The State of California cannot afford to implement
well-intentioned laws without considering the unintended negative
consequences.

Sincerely,



Robert Johnson, President