ARB Begins Enforcing Anti-Idling Program
10 October 2008
The California Air Resources Board has begun enforcing recently enacted anti-idling program for diesel engines that will reduce particulate matter emissions throughout the state.
California ARB staff and local air quality officials throughout the state will monitor sleeper berths and commercial on and off-road diesel vehicles where they operate. First time violations, idling for greater than five minutes, will receive a minimum civil penalty of $300. Subsequent penalties can be from $1,000 to $10,000. Owners, renters or lessees will be responsible for the penalty.
Regulations limiting idling of on-road commercial diesel-engine vehicles to five minutes have been in effect for several years now and for sleeper berth trucks since January of 2008. The regulations addressing the idling of off-road diesel vehicles became effective in June of 2008. Industries were given a grace period allowing them to inform themselves and their staff of the new requirements.
In a case where an off-road vehicle is observed idling for more than five minutes, enforcement officials will contact the operator and site supervisor to determine the reason. If the reason is not exempted, as some clauses of the regulation allow, and the instance is a first time violation, a $300 per day citation will be issued to the owner, renter or lessee of the vehicle.
Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and more than 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.
This fall the ARB will consider further measures to reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks. Over the past 10 years ARB has adopted regulations affecting cargo-handling equipment, transport refrigeration units, truck idling, off-road equipment, harbor craft, port drayage trucks, onboard incineration, and ships at-berth.
The public can report an idling violation by contacting the Air Resources Board at 1-800-END-SMOG (1-800-363-7664) or online at http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/complaints/complaints.htm.
"California ARB staff and local air quality officials throughout the state..."
Fortunately California has a HUGE budget surplus and, therefore, can easily afford to have hoards of people out watching to see if you are idling your vehicle longer than they would like. Oh, wait, you mean to tell me that Californis has the WORST budget deficit of ANY state and may try to ask the federal government for a loan just to pay it's current state government employees? How can this be possible when they have SOoooooo much money that they can have a slew of make-work jobs, harassing their population? All in the name of their god - Globalwarmism, of course.
"How dare you deny our god Globalwarmism!!! Off to jail, and a fine for you, until your thinking is correct."
No wonder so many are fleeing California - more than are entering.
Posted by: Albert G | 10 October 2008 at 07:42 AM
Albert G,
Sounds like you are just clinging to guns and religion. You should stop typing at this site and spend more time praying for the pipeline. Caribou Barbie says the pipeline is god's will.
"Way to Uncle Leo, sticking it to the man"
Posted by: Uncle Leo | 10 October 2008 at 08:44 AM
uncle leo, sounds like you must be left wing californian yourself with stupid comments like that. Guns and Religion are what made the USA what it is today and if you don;t like it move to Europe.
Posted by: bg | 10 October 2008 at 09:18 AM
Hmmm, with the fines as they are; all they have to do is catch one person to cover the employees wages and associated costs for the day. Catch 2 idlers and they can start hitting that deficit!
Albert G - guess what? Many states are facing a deficit this year and many of them are talking about seeking Federal money.
http://symbionews.com/thetakeaway/state-deficits-2009.html
Posted by: | 10 October 2008 at 11:27 AM
It is ironic to see someone taking an allegedly anti-socialist position which is objectively anti-business and anti-human (people have to breathe).
It is in the name of EPA air quality standards which will block business licenses in the area if other sources of air pollution aren't fixed.Posted by: Reality Czech | 10 October 2008 at 01:27 PM
>> Guns and Religion are what made the USA what it is
>> today and if you don't like it move to Europe.
Thankfully some of us have evolved beyond that. Sign me up for the collectors' edition of Caribou Barbie!
Posted by: bluegreen | 10 October 2008 at 01:52 PM
Albert G,
At a fine to the tune of $300 USD for a violation, certainly the State of California can afford code enforcement. It's an activity that will pay for itself. At least, it is a green job (environmental regulation) that will keep Americans employed, while so many other manufacturing jobs are shipped overseas.
The more green jobs we will be creating, including manufacturing of "green machines" here at home, the faster we will grow our economy to pay off the debts and the budget deficits, eliminate petroleum importation
and on the road to a prosperous, secure AND HEALTHY future.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 10 October 2008 at 03:00 PM
At the rest stops the units that allow the trucks to shut down, also provide AC, radio and broadband connections. They also save the truckers fuel. Why shouldn't green rest stops make for a win win situation?
Posted by: ACAGal | 10 October 2008 at 06:51 PM
Almost every truck rest stop should be fitted with giant 12 and 24 volt under ground cables and places for vehicles to connect. There is now no reason why truck air conditioners and heaters cannot be electrically powered. In fact trucks should be outfitted with dual purpose heat pumps. When going down the road the cooling can be powered by an enlarged alternator and it may be more efficient than belt powered ones. LG has compressors with free pistons that are 40% more efficient than crank ones. The frame mounted heatpumps can be lifetime welded. Prepayment cards identical to the french prepaid phone cards will be sold at truck stops. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 10 October 2008 at 09:24 PM
With the crash and expected unemployment, it seems a bit harsh to fine people for idling.
Posted by: mahonj | 11 October 2008 at 02:40 AM
well bluegreen I'm glad to hear that you have evloved beyond religion and guns, you must be one to push for the removal of the 10 commandents from public places and you must be a supporter of the Brady bill. So when criminals ruin your day and the environment don't cry to me.
Posted by: bg | 11 October 2008 at 06:45 AM
@Albert
It is my sole proprietary right to make fun of California at GCC. When my father moved to California in 1960, the air was cleaner, the schools were good. No drugs, no pedophiles. Twenty years later when I got out of the Navy, I took a job with a California company on condition that I would not have to work in California.
California cities have turned into concrete cesspools with air quality worse than a 1960 steel mill town. High taxes, bad schools, high crime.
However, I eventually moved back to California because I could live in the mountains in a county with no stop light. A traffic jam was another car at the 4-way stop.
The basic problem with environmental regulation is it is not effective at solving the environment problems. The same folks who worry about radon, second had smoke, and the number of windows in your house, think a parent is abusive if they make their kids study, go to church, and refrain smoking, drinking, and using drugs.
While I am a strong supporter of environmental regulations that protect the environment, California is is not doing this. I driven out of California along with my coworkers. I again have clean air, low taxes, low crime and good schools. The guy who fixes my car can afford to put a double wide on 5 acres without being taxed or inspected into an apartment. There is no county job to inspect my shower nozzles.
Posted by: Kit P | 11 October 2008 at 12:13 PM
"Thankfully some of us have evolved beyond that. "
Evolution is worshiping the god of Globalwarmism rather than the God of the Bible, Koran, Torah, etc?!? I think not. Evolution has not taken place. A new, "improved," politically correct, god has simply been substituted for the traditional gods.
Posted by: Albert G. | 11 October 2008 at 07:59 PM