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Although California has made dramatic progress in improving air quality, disparities in air pollution exposure, susceptibility, and health, still exist, particularly for people of color and low-income communities.1,2,3 Off-road vehicles like forklifts, construction equipment, and other off-road diesel equipment can be significant contributors to pollution in many California communities.
California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff invites you to participate in a Listening Session focused on the following off-road rulemaking topics: Off-road new diesel engines (Tier 5), Zero-Emission Forklifts, and Targeted Manufacturer Rule for zero-emission off-road equipment.
The goal of this listening session is to share the concepts of the above rulemakings and get feedback/suggestions. We are seeking input from those who are impacted by poor air quality and have been advocating for cleaner off-road equipment.
The workgroup meeting will be held via Zoom webinar at the following date and time:
Date: May 24, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Location: Zoom Webinar / Teleconference
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the off-road listening session. Please use the link and password to join the workgroup the morning of the meeting. If you are using a tablet or smart phone, please download the Zoom app. Ensure the latest version of Zoom is installed on your device..
During the meeting, if you wish to provide comments or ask questions on the potential regulatory concepts, please use Zoom’s “raise hand” feature. The “raise hand” button can be found on the Zoom webinar window. For those who are joining via a conference call, press #2 to raise your hand. The “Q&A” feature on Zoom will also be available to provide comments and ask questions. This listening session will be recorded for future viewing.
Background
The Tier 5 rulemaking will reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from new, off-road land-based diesel engines compared to what is allowed by today’s Tier 4 emission standards. It will likely include more stringent exhaust standards for all engine power categories, including those that do not currently utilize exhaust aftertreatment such as diesel particulate filters (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction. As of model year 2020, more than half of all new off-road compression ignition engine families continue to be certified in California to the Tier 4 emission standards without DPFs.
The Zero Emission Forklift rulemaking aims to reduce emissions of ozone-forming compounds, PM, and greenhouse gases (GHG) by accelerating the further transition of forklifts in California to zero-emission technology. The current draft proposal would require the roughly 95,000 propane- and gasoline-fueled forklifts operating in state today to be phased out between 2026 and 2038, starting with the oldest forklifts in the fleet.
The goal of the Off-Road Zero-Emission Targeted Manufacturer Rule is to achieve criteria pollutant and GHG emissions reductions by accelerating the development, production, and sale of zero-emission off-road equipment and powertrains. Existing zero-emission regulations and regulations currently under development target a variety of specific sectors (e.g., forklifts, cargo handling equipment, small off-road engines, etc.); however, as technology advancements occur, zero-emission technology use in other equipment types, including wheel loaders, excavators, and bulldozers, could be accelerated through this measure.
Staff will also provide information on funding and incentives available.
AB 617 Impacts
Assembly Bill (AB) 617 requires CARB to address community-scale air pollution through new community-focused and community-driven actions to reduce exposure and improve public health in communities that experience disproportionate cumulative burdens from exposure to air pollutants, such as diesel particulate matter PM and NOx. For more information on AB 617 implementation, please see the Community Air Protection Program website.
Several AB 617 communities have expressed concerns over exposure to emissions from off-road engines and equipment. Review of CERPs developed by AB 617 communities identified construction equipment and construction dust, agricultural and dairy activities, and off-road vehicles as sources of emissions. CARB regulations and future rulemakings, district rules, enforcement actions may address some of these community concerns.
Contact
If you have questions related to the Tier 5 rule making concepts, please contact: Tier 5
If you have questions related to Zero Emission Forklifts, or Targeted Manufacturer Rule, please contact: David Chen
If you require a special accommodation or need this document in another language or in an alternate format (i.e., Braille, large print), please contact Isabel Guerra as soon as possible, but no later than 15 business days before the scheduled webinar. TTY/TDD/Speech to Speech users may dial 711 for the California Relay Service.
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