The California Air Resources Board is reminding California-bound truck owners that the deadline to report information regarding their fleets has been extended to March 30.


CARB provided a two-month extension from the original January 31 reporting deadline to give fleet owners more time to submit their information before widespread enforcement of the regulation begins.

"We encourage all business owners to act immediately and contact us now with any questions," says Tony Brasil, chief of the Heavy Duty Diesel Implementation Branch. "Waiting until the last minute or even a few days before the deadline should be avoided since our information hotlines are already extremely busy."

Truck owners can report their fleet information online at arb.ca.gov/truckstop.

The March 30 deadline does not extend to particulate matter filter and other compliance requirements that began January 1.

The Truck and Bus Regulation provides flexibility for owners of heavier trucks and buses (those with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds) with several options to reduce diesel emissions. They can:

* Follow a schedule that requires 1996-1999 model year engines be retrofitted with a diesel PM filter by Jan. 1, 2012, with truck replacements starting Jan. 1, 2015 for older trucks (this option has no reporting requirements).

* Delay installing a particulate filter on 1996-1999 trucks that have a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds if they own a small fleet. A small fleet is one that has one to three vehicles with a GVWR of more than 14,000 pounds. (Truck owners must report to take advantage of this option.)

* Take advantage of other flexible compliance options in the regulation for vehicles with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds (Truck owners must also report to utilize these options.)

To expedite the reporting process or get information about the Truck and Bus Regulation, truck owners can:

* Visit CARB's Truck Stop at arb.ca.gov/truckstop
* Call the Diesel Hotline at 866 6 DIESEL (866- 634-3735)
* Get the latest on reporting information and updates:
Reporting Requirement by emailing 8666DIESEL@arb.ca.gov

CARB will enforce the truck and bus regulation throughout the state, including at California Highway Patrol weigh stations, distribution centers, fleet facilities, truckstops and other random locations where trucks and buses are present. Vehicles that are in violation will be issued citations that carry penalties, including the potential impoundment of a non-compliant vehicle. However, CARB will use discretion in enforcing the regulation in order to account for mitigating circumstances (including documented good-faith efforts to comply).