AQMD's Governing Board is expected to hold public hearings on adoption of the first in a series of eight rules aimed at moving local governments and public agencies in the region to low emissions and alternative-fueled vehicles.
The hearings are expected to be held at AQMD's Diamond Bar headquarters at 9 a.m., Friday, June 16, on the following rule proposals:
Rule 1191, effective July 2001, would require cities and other public agencies that own and operate more than 15 light- or medium-duty vehicles to purchase only vehicles that meet California's low emissions vehicle standard or cleaner, with some exceptions. After several years when the majority of vehicles sold meet the state's cleaner ultra low emissions standard, Rule 1191 would require public fleet operators to purchase only ultra low emissions vehicles.
There are some 250 vehicles now on the market that would comply with the proposed rule, including passenger cars, passenger and cargo vans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks. The vast majority of them run on gasoline, although many run on natural gas or electric batteries.
Upon adoption, Rule 1192 would require public transit fleet operators with 100 or more vehicles to purchase only alternative-fuel heavy-duty vehicles when replacing or adding buses to their fleets. Transit operators with 15 to 100 vehicles would be required to meet the same requirements beginning July 1, 2001.
Beginning July 1, 2001, Rule 1193 would require public and private waste haulers with fleets of 15 or more vehicles to purchase alternative-fuel heavy-duty vehicles, or prior to July 1, 2002, dual-fuel vehicles when procuring curbside refuse collection or transfer vehicles.
The AQMD staff proposals are based on extensive workshops and meetings with cities and other public agencies.
Chief concerns have included the availability of vehicles, cost, lead-time before the rule becomes effective, and maintaining the ability to purchase specialty diesel-powered vehicles and infrastructure. AQMD's staff has responded to these and many other concerns raised by local governments.
The other proposed rules under the clean public fleet initiative include:
AQMD also plans to amend Rule 431.2-Sulfur Content of Liquid Fuels to require a lower sulfur content for diesel fuel, and add Rule 1186.1-Street Sweeping Operations.
The tentative schedule calls for each of these five proposals to go before the Board for consideration over the upcoming months.
For the latest on the fleet proposals, check AQMD's Fleet Rule Homepage or call Jack Broadbent at (909) 396-3789.
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