The California Air Resources Board has pushed back its deadline for compliance with the state's strict new emissions rules for reefer units.


Many owners of transport refrigeration units, or TRUs as CARB calls them, could not meet the requirements of the Transport Refrigeration Unit Air Toxic Control Measure in time. TRU registration and operator report requirements are now due July 31, while Low-Emission TRU In-Use Performance Standards for 2001 and older TRU engines -- originally scheduled for this month -- have been delayed until December 31.

The board decided to push back the deadlines because TRU owners could not comply in time, costs were higher than originally expected, and credit was tightening. In addition, some retrofit systems were not available until May 2009, and there were longer lead times for delivery.

The board implemented a two-phase enforcement schedule to allow for greater flexibility, more complete registration, and more time for pre-2002 TRUs to meet the standards.

Registration and operator report requirements were originally set for March 16, 2009. Enforcement of the requirements will begin in August 2009. The previous deadline for Low-Emission TRUs was July 16, 2009, and enforcement for the in-use performance standards will begin in January.

For more information on TRU Advisory 08-15-R4, visit www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/tru.htm.