California last week received a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that allows the state to enforce emissions regulations on truck and trailer refrigeration units.
Concern had been raised that the late in coming waiver would not be granted and therefore the regulations would not be enforceable.

The regulations require all transport refrigeration unit engines on the road in California, about 40,000 at any given time -- even those from outside the state -- to have emission control technology no older than seven years. So when the rule is enforced later this year, transport refrigeration units and TRU gensets built in 2002 and earlier must meet the new standards.

The regulations are being phased in and will be fully implemented in 2020. CARB has delayed the enforcement of the first phase of the in-use performance standards for six months after this waiver approval, meaning enforcement will begin on July 17.

California is the only state allowed to create emissions standards stricter than federal ones, although it must obtain a waiver from the EPA. After such a waiver is granted, other states can adopt California regulations.

Further compliance information is available at the TRU website at: www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/tru.htm. Call the TRU Helpline at 1-888-878-2826 (1-888-TRU-ATCM) for compliance assistance.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency and oversees all air pollution control efforts in California.