First Name | Joe |
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Last Name | Sostaric |
Email Address | jsostaric@reliabletrucking.com |
Affiliation | Reliable Trucking |
Subject | Proposed Ammendments |
Comment | I am writing to voice my displeasure with the proposed amendments to the Truck & Bus Regulations. Reliable Trucking has suffered with the business downturn like many other trucking companies across the State of California. Our business has been saddled with low or non-existent margins brought on to some degree by trucking companies that have failed to invest in the proper equipment but rely on low prices to generate work. This lack of profitability in the business has caused the upper management to question why we continue to operate this business as the current economics do not justify continued investment in the business. When CARB announced the regulations to reduce emissions, Reliable Trucking and its parent company made many decisions to proactively comply. Older equipment was retired, diesel particulate filters were installed, and new trucks were purchased. Our fleet was registered with CARB using one of the phase-in methods and we are proud to announce that we are well ahead of the compliance timeline allowed under the rule. The cost of this is in the millions of dollars with no economic benefit. Reliable made this investment not based on current economic conditions but on the belief that CARB regulations would cause some trucking companies that run poor operations to either invest significantly in their equipment or leave the business. Now CARB is contemplating to allow trucking companies additional time to comply. Many of the companies given this extra time have made no effort to come in compliance. Furthermore, the low mileage exemptions will be difficult to enforce. I would venture that some of the more unscrupulous trucking companies will attempt to manipulate this loophole to claim they are in compliance when in fact they are not. In closing, Reliable has made significant investment in equipment at a time when it could least afford to do so. Now these changes proposed make that investment appear foolhardy. Our maintenance costs have skyrocketed as the DPF filters have proven to be troublesome from the day they were installed. How is CARB planning to compensate all the trucking companies that played by the rules and now appear to be penalized for doing so? |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2014-04-21 09:39:43 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.