The California Air Resources Board (CARB) Friday approved revised off-road diesel emissions rules that were negotiated this year by AGC of America. The revisions will give struggling construction firms time to comply with off-road diesel emissions rules while delivering lower emissions than the original version of the rule.
Following the vote, AGC’s general counsel, Mike Kennedy, noted that the board members demonstrated real wisdom and courage in acknowledging significant errors in the original estimates of emissions from construction and other off-road diesel equipment.
This is a significant victory in a long-fought battle to protect contractors from needlessly replacing billions of dollars worth of equipment. Had the board allowed the rule to be enforced, any state would have been free to adopt the same rule, jeopardizing the viability of AGC member companies across the United States.
The news was covered by the San Francisco Chronicle, LA Times, Sacramento Bee and the Associated Press, among others.
For more information, contact Mike Kennedy at kennedym@agc.org.