TRALA Reports Progress on D.C. Diesel Ban

The Truck Renting and Leasing Association reports progress on an industry effort to fix the District of Columbia’s move to ban certain diesel engines.

TRALA, speaking for a coalition that includes American Trucking Associations as well as local trucking interests, said the D.C. government is willing to rewrite a budget bill that would in effect ban the engines.

The provision would deny registration of diesel-powered vehicles starting in 2018 unless the vehicle had been previously registered, TRALA said. This provision would be coupled with a tax break intended to improve District air quality by pushing companies to convert to alternative fuels.

The trucking groups pointed out to District officials that because of interstate registration compacts, the provision would effectively outlaw any new diesel-powered vehicles from entering the District.

The officials have agreed to drop the language banning the engines but keep the tax incentive for using alternative fuels, TRALA said.

TRALA noted that the budget bill is not final but said the District’s agreement is “a very positive development.”