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Purchase of a particulate filter by May 1 earns early action
credit

Media contact ARB PIO at 916-322-2990. 

ARB offers a two-for-one special for California on-road truck
fleets 

Purchase of a particulate filter by May 1 earns early action
credit

Dated: April 22, 2011
Contact: Tony Brasil

This month ARB announced that by installing a particulate filter
on one truck, fleets may delay compliance for another truck until
January 1, 2017. It’s like a “buy-one-get-one-free” credit, and
there is no limit on how many trucks in the fleet can earn it.

The special credit offers fleets another option to comply with
the state’s 2008 Truck and Bus regulation, which the Board
approved to meet national clean air standards by 2014 and 2023.

“California fleets need to act quickly to take advantage of this
special offer,” said ARB manager Tony Brasil. “Fleets owners that
do will have more time for other trucks in the fleet to comply
with California clean air laws.”

This article focuses on answers to the most commonly asked
questions on the special two-for-one compliance credit option.

1. Who can take advantage of the early particulate filter
credits?

Privately or federally owned fleets with trucks or buses that
must comply with the Truck and Bus regulation can apply the
credits toward meeting the particulate matter filter requirements
for heavier vehicles with a GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs.

2. How do I earn the credit?

Fleet owners can earn a credit for each vehicle with a GVWR
greater than 14,000 lbs. that is retrofit by July 1, 2011 with
the best available particulate filter technology.   Fleet owners
can also earn the credit by making a minimum 20 percent deposit
on a filter by May 1, 2011 as long as it’s installed by October
1, 2011.

3. How does the credit count toward compliance?

The early action credit counts toward compliance with the
particulate matter filter phase-in option for heavier trucks with
a manufacturer’s GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs. The credit counts
as two particulate filters and delays compliance for another
vehicle in the fleet until January 1, 2017.

Also, any vehicle that is equipped with a particulate filter
prior to January 1, 2014, including those that are retrofitted to
earn the early particulate matter filter credit, would comply
until January 1, 2020.

4. How do I claim the credit? Do I have to report?

Fleets that earn the credit must keep records of the purchase and
particulate matter filter installation and report all vehicle
information in the fleet for trucks with a GVWR greater than
26,000 lbs. by January 31, 2012. Helpful information on
reporting, the regulation and other requirements can be found at
http://www.arb.ca.gov/dieseltruck . While there is no filter
requirement for lighter trucks, fleet owners have the option of
retrofitting one and by doing so can still earn a credit on a
heavier truck. Fleet owners who install a retrofit early on a
lighter truck (14,0001 to 26,000 GVWR) must report the vehicle
information for that truck as well. 

5. Will I lose the credit if I sell or replace the vehicle?

The extra credits stay with the fleet as long as the retrofitted
vehicle remains operational in the fleet up to January 1, 2017,
and the engine in the replacement vehicle is one model year newer
and has a particulate matter filter that is original equipment or
is retrofitted.

6. Do I get credit if public funds were used to pay for the
retrofit?

Credits will not be given for partially state-funded retrofits,
according to the funding program guidelines applicable to the
particular source of public funds used for the purchase.

7. Why do we have the regulation?

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40
other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California
identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant
based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death and other
health problems.

For more information on the Truck and Bus regulation, go to:
www.arb.ca.gov/dieseltruck or call 1-866-6DIESEL