Comment Log Display

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger

In regards to the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) proposed
retrofit diesel truck and bus regulation, I am writing to express
my concerns regarding this proposal.  I am director of bus
ministries at Parkside Church in Auburn.  We currently have one
1991 MCI coach that is a viable piece of equipment used throughout
the community in service to hundreds of needy people and other
non-profit organizations such as ourselves.  Our bus is in very
good condition and runs very clean. 

Clearly our organization is supportive of reducing particulate
matter and NOx emissions from diesel engines.  This regulation will
absolutely shut down our non-profit ministry services.  This will
profoundly impact our ability to help our community and those in
need.  

As a non-profit in the midst of the worst economic crisis since
the Great Depression we will be forced to dispose of our coach long
before it's useful life has been expended.  We will not be able to
afford to replace or retrofit this vehicle in order to meet your
standards.  Since our bus travels less than 15,000 miles per year
and is maintained to impeccable standards I feel it poses little to
no threat to our air quality. I suggest language within the
regulation that makes allowance for non-profit ministries such as
ours who own 3 vehicles or less and travel less than 20,000 miles
per year per vehicle.  Today there is virtually no access to
capital within lending institutions or our church for these
retrofit costs. 

We are grateful for the efforts expended in the cause of clean air
in California.  We are also aware that our economy depends the
ability to truck products and people across the state.  We must be
careful not to forfeit this ability for the sake the insignificant
amount of emissions produced by a small non-profit organization
such as Parkside Church.  We look forward to working with you to
accomplish clean air and reasonable regulations imposed on diesel
engines.


Sincerely



Tim Hanson
Parkside Church
Bus Ministries
Auburn Ca.