California boycott

Well, your information is incorrect, which tends to make it of little value. As a rallying cry, it's about useless. If you check the regulations carefully, you would find that there are models of heaters that are legal for use in California under the new upcoming rules, and there are models of onboard APU's that are legal for use in the Golden State.

As for a boycott, since many drivers work for companies, they don;t really have a choice in whether or not they haul into California, so they are not able to boycott anything. Owner Operators could make that choice, if they so desired, but the odds are that they will continue hauling into california just like they always have done.

I would suggest that everyone wait until after the 8th of Jan, and see what kind of enforcement follows up the new rules. Regardless of how the rules may be written, and who they are supposed to apply to, the whole effectiveness of a rule resides in the way that it is enforced. If the california law enforcement community decides that they have better things to do than stop trucks from idling, then the rules will be meaningless.

 

I thought there were no air conditioning units that were approved for use with the new California emissions standards? Am I wrong?

I know there are heaters that are approved but you often need A/C more than heat in California.

If there is such a unit you can purchase that provides A/C and is approved for use in California, then a boycott won't do any good.

 

Despite the potential industriousness of the Cali police enforcing the new laws, I am always a little bit leery when someone joins here and they are calling for a boycott or a strike, or a work stoppage, or some other form of action within their first week as a member. Kind of makes me wonder if they just joined to make a hit and run post or if they are really a productive member.

Once they enforce the law, then there will be potential for suits that overturn or modify it. As of right now, not one person has been affected by the changes, since they aren't in effect yet.

 

Just as an update, here are the applicable rules that will be in effect after the 8th of Jan 2008.

First, if you have a truck powered by a pre 2007 engine, you can use the APU that you currently have with no modifications or restrictions on the use of the APU's engine. So, since manufacturers used pre 2007 engines in most trucks delivered up to the first half of 2007, the majority of the trucks on the road are exempt from any regulation restricting the use of an APU.

If you have a truck with a 2007 engine, then your APU's exhaust will have to be run through a DPF, or diesel particulate filter. At least two of the APU manufacturers have submitted DPF's for their engines for certification by the CARB board, and approval is either completed or pending at this time. Additionally, CARB will allow your APU engine to be plumbed into the DPF for your main engine, but that does present a conflict with EPA rules which do not permit modifications to the trucks exhaust once it has been certified.

Cummins does offer it's "Comfortguard" APU system in which the APU engine has been certified with the main engine in a 2007 model, but this is only available on Cummins powered trucks and has to be ordered from the OEM.

Another piece of Cali legislation effective is that all new trucks sold will have to have a 5 minute engine timer that shuts the engine down after 5 minutes of idling.

 

Burky's post seems reasonable and I think those are rules everyone could live with but CARB is trying to do otherwise??? Can they get away with it???

 

My info was taken from OOIDA's site and is accurate as of late Oct. It's possible they are attempting further rules making and enforcement, and if they are, then it is beyond the info I have available. And if they do try to push further than what they have publically proposed, I am sure that they will see lawsuits galore. But none of that takes place until the rules are actually enforced, since until then there is no one affected by it. You can only sue for redress over the effect of the rules, rarely for the poteotial effect.

 

Oh, I understand that but it's coming fast. The things you posted, Burky, make sense. What they're saying CARB WILL do is scary and will cause a huge mess.

Thanks.