Truck This?
Statewide Rules go Beyond Local Politics
For better or worse, some folks in the transportation industry have mused that the recent SCAQMD developments will somehow translate into abandonment or loosening of existing rules in the on-road trucking sector.
California is not about to start loosening up rules
that are directly in line with achieving NAAQS.
Beyond federal responsibilities, the state has specifically targeted the transportation industry for reductions and the governor has made no secret of his desire to run emissions from the freight sector off the highway.
Last year an Executive Order was issued calling for the shift of the freight network to zero or near zero emissions while increasing the competitiveness of the industry.
Along with the emission mandates, the governor wants to see efficiency mandates and other creative endeavors to save the freight network from itself (SEE Government Efficiency ) all the while increasing industry competitiveness.
A multitude of state agencies have been tapped to develop this freight strategy. It is slated to be re-released this summer under the banner of the new and improved Sustainable Freight Initiative. Both the Sustainable Freight Initiative (SFI) and the mobile source strategy in the statewide SIP will both have specific regulatory measures focused on the trucking industry and the larger transportation network. Efforts are already underway to implement concepts put forth last year.
Within the previous incarnation of the SFI was an
initial action aimed at cold storage and the facilities where off dock, cold
storage is happening. This rule development will directly impact refrigerated
facilities that utilize refrigerated trailers for off dock cold storage during
peak operating times.
CARB has already started outreach for the rule and although the concept had been on ice for a few years leading up to the previous draft, it is now officially one of the first regulatory measures that will be part of the SFI.
The question persists? Are these recent efforts baby steps into a larger control of emissions under a potential facility cap (SEE Facility Cap )? While no new details have emerged, the concept is alive and well. The SFI, due this summer will decide its fate. For now.
Regardless of the facility cap’s ultimate fate, CARB is seeking to send a strong signal with the development of the cold storage rule and the eventual release of the SFI as well as the mobile source strategy within the statewide SIP that they will not be backing off from their plans, despite local developments.
Statewide Rules go Beyond Local Politics
For better or worse, some folks in the transportation industry have mused that the recent SCAQMD developments will somehow translate into abandonment or loosening of existing rules in the on-road trucking sector.
Since the Republicans sitting on the SCAQMD Board have
made jobs a priority, it is only natural to assume that one of the largest
employment sectors in the state (transportation/logistics) would also feel some
of the relief.
Not so. In fact, the real outcome may be a state
sponsored tightening down on an already heavily regulated industry.
Outside of
threats to expand the Board through legislation, the basic bottom line is that for the most part,
the State and the state alone has jurisdiction over mobile sources of
emissions.
Beyond federal responsibilities, the state has specifically targeted the transportation industry for reductions and the governor has made no secret of his desire to run emissions from the freight sector off the highway.
Last year an Executive Order was issued calling for the shift of the freight network to zero or near zero emissions while increasing the competitiveness of the industry.
"Governor Brown issued Executive Order (EO) B-32-15 which directs the California State Transportation, California Environmental Protection, and Natural Resources Agencies to lead other relevant State departments, including the California Air Resources Board, the California Department of Transportation, the California Energy Commission, and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, to improve freight efficiency, transition to zero-emission technologies, and increase competitiveness of California’s freight system through an integrated freight action plan and pilot projects”
Along with the emission mandates, the governor wants to see efficiency mandates and other creative endeavors to save the freight network from itself (SEE Government Efficiency ) all the while increasing industry competitiveness.
A multitude of state agencies have been tapped to develop this freight strategy. It is slated to be re-released this summer under the banner of the new and improved Sustainable Freight Initiative. Both the Sustainable Freight Initiative (SFI) and the mobile source strategy in the statewide SIP will both have specific regulatory measures focused on the trucking industry and the larger transportation network. Efforts are already underway to implement concepts put forth last year.
CARB has already started outreach for the rule and although the concept had been on ice for a few years leading up to the previous draft, it is now officially one of the first regulatory measures that will be part of the SFI.
The question persists? Are these recent efforts baby steps into a larger control of emissions under a potential facility cap (SEE Facility Cap )? While no new details have emerged, the concept is alive and well. The SFI, due this summer will decide its fate. For now.
Regardless of the facility cap’s ultimate fate, CARB is seeking to send a strong signal with the development of the cold storage rule and the eventual release of the SFI as well as the mobile source strategy within the statewide SIP that they will not be backing off from their plans, despite local developments.
STAY TUNED!
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