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The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has updated its
Regulatory Guidance for Electric Standby and Hybrid Electric
Systems for Alternative Technology Compliance Strategies. 

Transport refrigeration unit (TRU) owners that are using electric
standby or hybrid electric as a compliance option should
carefully review this regulatory guidance to ensure they actually
qualify for compliance.  ARB will be auditing TRU owners that are
claiming to comply by using electric standby or hybrid electric
in the coming months.  This will include audits to ensure the
recordkeeping and reporting requirements are being met.

TRUs that are equipped with electric standby or hybrid electric
systems may comply with the TRU Regulation’s in-use performance
standards only if they are used in a way that qualifies them as
an Alternative Technology.  These TRUs must be plugged into
electric power when they are at any non-retail delivery and
pick-up location in California, while loaded with perishable
goods and during initial chill-down.  Again, TRU engine operation
must be eliminated while at non-retail locations, with narrow
exceptions.  TRU engine operation at retail delivery points
(examples are grocery stores, restaurants, cafeterias,
convenience stores) must also be limited to less than 30 minutes.
 If the engine operating time needs to exceed 30 minutes at
retail delivery points, the TRU must be plugged into electric
power.  GPS tracking systems with automated recordkeeping and
reporting are also required to qualify for compliance (being
phased in now).  ARB’s updated regulatory guidance explains these
requirements, the phase-in schedule, and provides specifications
for businesses interested in providing electronic tracking
systems with automated recordkeeping and reporting.

The updated regulatory guidance document is available at: 
http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/tru/documents/guidance_electricstandby_ets.pdf

Where can I get more information?

For general information about the TRU Regulation, the TRU Website
is at:  http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/tru/tru.htm

The ARBER registration website is at: 
http://www.arb.ca.gov/arber/arber.htm

ARBER Registration Help pages are at: 
http://www.arb.ca.gov/arber/trureg/trureg.htm

TRU Advisories are listed at: 
http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/tru/advisories.htm

If you have questions about compliance or registration in ARBER,
please call the TRU Help Line at 1-888-878-2826 or call
1-916-327-8737.

Background:  TRUs are refrigeration systems powered by integral
diesel internal combustion engines designed to control the
environment of temperature-sensitive products that are
transported in trucks, trailers, shipping containers, and
railcars.  The emissions from these units are a source of
unhealthful air pollutants including particulate matter, toxic
air contaminants, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and
hydrocarbons, that all pose a potential threat to both public
health and the environment. These units often congregate in large
numbers at California distribution centers, grocery stores, and
other facilities where they run for extended periods of time to
ensure their perishable contents remain cold or frozen. These
distribution and loading facilities are often in close proximity
to schools, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods.  In 2004,
the TRU Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) was adopted by the
Board to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions from TRUs and
TRU gen set engines.  Amendments were adopted by the Board in
November 2010 and October 2011.