Comment Log Display

I would like to express my concern for California's economy in
respects to the new CARB Diesel on-road/off-road regulations. I
seek your assistance and support for a legit method for
establishing particulate matter in California. I work for a
corporate office in Southern California which operates three
companies, one small fleet, one medium fleet, and one large fleet.
As the compliance dates get closer, the more I fear I will lose my
job along with many other Californians in the diesel industry. 
I have been following the DOOR’s website since mid 2008 and have
never once come across anything that revealed the Tran
qualifications cover-up. As disappointing as this is, I am not
arguing the fact that diesel engines emit carbon into the
atmosphere, but I am challenging the basis of the statistical facts
this regulation was based on. The Board voted this regulation into
play without full knowledge of the Tran qualification cover-up. I
feel it is important that all Board Members be aware of all factors
prior to voting on something as important as this regulation. 
The Diesel regulation is very expensive and even with some of the
new amendments to the regulation the financial burden will still
have a negative affect on my companies, and many other companies in
California. I have faith you will reconsider "OUR" position on the
regulation due to the detrimental effects it will have on our
already damaged economy. Business owners large and small need your
help to stay afloat and Californians need these employers to keep
their families feed and sheltered.
Is compliance of this regulation more important than the jobs and
families lives that will be ruined due to the high cost of
retrofitting? I believe Senator George Runner said it best in an
email to me dated 1/26/2010, “While reducing emissions is extremely
important, I agree that the statutory timeline will negatively
affect many of the state's construction firms. I have written
several letters over the years urging ARB to reconsider its staff
recommendation to adopt the regulatory language as originally
proposed and instead amend the language with timelines that reflect
today's realities.” – Senator Runner. My suggestion is to post-pone
the compliance dates until qualified statisticians are able to
review the Tran teams “Methodology for Establishing Premature Death
Associated with Long-Term Exposure to Fine Airborne Particulate
Matter in California” and after review, establish an amended
regulation with practical compliance steps for ALL fleet owners
small or large. To establish and enforce such a regulation, we as
Americans, and most importantly as Californians have a
responsibility to ourselves and our children, to review the numbers
and establish a practical regulation. 
California needs a regulation that will not only improve our
environment and air quality, but one that will double and in some
cases triple our work force. I feel in supporting the quest for
alternative fuel such as BIODIESEL and reestablishing the
on-road/off-road particulate matter regulations, we can turn
California emissions around for the better. I truly hope you and
your staff reconsider the affects this regulation will have on the
economy and focus on reestablishing the diesel regulation. I look
forward to complying with a practical yet earth saving regulation
in the near future. 
Sincerely, 
Sheena Paez