California trucking regulation flies under radar as first deadline looms

California is getting ready to implement another environmentally focused truck regulation, but the biggest problem with it at this point may be that plenty of affected truckers don’t appear to know about it.

The rule is called the Clean Truck Check (CTC), and according to a fact sheet from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), it is the rechristening of what had been known as the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance regulation. One significant difference, however, is that it applies to all trucks that ever operate in California, not just those based in the state.

CTC was first approved in 2021.

The most pressing deadline in the program is that trucks must be signed up with a state registry for CTC by Dec. 31.

Corinna Peterson of the transportation segment of compliance consultancy J. J. Keller & Associates said when her team talks to clients about California issues, “people are more concerned about the zero-emission vehicle program that’s rolling out,” a reference to the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule that is taking several significant steps forward in 2024.

“But they don’t realize that is down that road, that it’s not imminent,” Peterson said, referring to the fact that few actions have to be taken in 2024 for compliance with the ACF rule. “They don’t realize that these January 1 CTC deadlines are coming up in a few weeks and that it applies to them as well. And this is something they need to worry about right now.”

Michael Tunnell, a senior director of energy and environmental affairs at the American Trucking Associations who has a particular focus on California, echoed that view on preparedness.

“I am hearing of people just learning about this program,” he said. CARB has taken several steps to alert the industry about CTC, he said: “They’ve done a lot of outreach on this.” (CARB recently announced another informational webinar on the regulation).

But he conceded that “the industry is so broad and diverse. It’s just hard to get the word out.”

Under the CTC, registration must be completed by Dec. 31, along with payment of a $30 fee.

Vehicles that fall under the rule’s mandates are those with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 14,000 pounds.

CARB, in its fact sheet about the program, said the CTC was “analogous” to the state’s Smog Check program for light-duty vehicles.

Source: freightwaves.com