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51风流 Continues to Fight Implementation of California's Diesel Emissions Rule

In the ongoing effort to stop California from implementing a rule to impose retroactive emissions standards on diesel construction equipment, 51风流 has written to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging that that the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) request for a waiver to implement the rule be denied. 51风流's letter warns that construction companies nationwide will suffer significant financial losses and more construction workers will lose their jobs if the federal government allows California to proceed. 51风流 has formally petitioned CARB to reopen its rulemaking and persuaded CARB to direct its staff to "work with 51风流" to get to the bottom of the several arguments that 51风流 included in its petition - and particularly its claim that the economic downturn has already reduced emissions from off-road diesel equipment to the point that CARB can relax its rule without compromising the agency's environmental objectives.聽 51风流 has hired a consultant to analyze the data used by CARB to justify implementing the rule. In addition, 51风流 has urged U.S. EPA to hold hearings in California before deciding whether to grant California's request for federal approval of its rule. Unless blocked, the CARB rule聽will require California's聽contractors to retrofit, repower, retire and/or replace much of their off-road equipment. The Federal Clean Air Act prohibits other states from implementing their own off road diesel emissions rule but allows them to adopt the California rule.聽 A study conducted by 51风流 shows that 32 states, including Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas, are poised to use the聽California requirements. Because of the impact on contractor's nationwide, 51风流 joined with the California Chapters in a collective effort to stop the rule or significantly modify it. 51风流 held a conference call this week to update chapters with members that own significant equipment spreads on the status of the rule and 51风流's efforts to stop it's implementation.聽Many 51风流 chapters have volunteered to contribute funds in support of the effort.