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CARB Diesel Verification Procedure

California Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) staff has posted the presentation that will be given at the public workshop to discuss the proposed amendments to the Verification Procedure, Warranty, and In-Use Compliance Requirements for In-Use Strategies to Control Emissions from Diesel Engines (Verification Procedure) that will be presented on January 19, 2012.  The presentation is now available at the Verification Procedure webpage:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/in-use/workshop_presentation_1-19-12.pdf

Along with minor changes and clarifications, the proposed amendments to the Verification Procedure include the following:

•     Additional changes to the in-use compliance testing requirements including when testing is required and the adoption of an in-field testing option

•     Recall provisions

•     Changes to the pre-installation compatibility assessment provisions including additional requirements for installers of verified DECS

•     Clarification of the definition of a warrantable event and warranty reporting requirements

•     Changes to the backpressure monitoring requirements for filter-based DECS

For more information about the January 19th workshop, please go to:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/mailouts/msc1136/msc1136.pdf

For more information about the Verification Program, please go to:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/verdev.htm

 

 

SCR Maintenance Intervals

On January 5, 2012, EPA is publishing notices in the Federal Register announcing the approval of new SCR maintenance intervals for both onroad and nonroad diesel engines/vehicles.  For light duty vehicles, the previously approved maintenance intervals for 2009-2010 will be allowed for 2011 and later model years.  For light duty, DEF refill intervals shall not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval.  This also applies to medium duty vehicles and other chassis certified vehicles up to 14,000 pounds.  For heavy-duty vehicles/engines, vocational heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., dump trucks, concrete mixers, refuse trucks, and other centrally-fueled vehicles) are permitted a DEF tank maintenance interval no less than the vehicle’s fuel capacity (i.e., a 1:1 ratio of DEF refill to fuel refill).  For all other heavy-duty vehicles, EPA has approved a DEF tank refill interval no less than twice the range of the vehicle’s fuel capacity (i.e., a 2:1 ratio).  EPA will review manufacturer certification applications to ensure that technology is being provided to ensure DEF tanks will be refilled as intended.  Acceptable strategies will include visible signal systems to alert drivers and operators that maintenance is needed or data demonstrating that drivers or operators are induced to perform maintenance.  For nonroad CI engines, the approved maintenance interval is the 1:1 ration of DEF refill to fuel refill.  EPA contact: David Dickinson, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Tel: 202-343-9256, Email: Dickinson.david@epa.gov. 

 

Diesel Verification Procedure Workshop

On December 16, 2011, CARB published Mail-Out # MSC 11-36 which announces a public workshop to discuss proposed amendments and clarifications to the Verification Procedure, Warranty, and In-Use Compliance Requirements for In-Use Strategies to Control Emissions from Diesel Engines (Verification Procedure) to be considered by the Board in May 2012. The Verification Procedure is used by staff to evaluate diesel emission control strategies (DECS) to determine their suitability for use by regulated fleets. At the workshop, staff will discuss proposed amendments to the Verification Procedure including the following:

• Additional changes to the in-use compliance testing requirements, including specifying when testing is required and providing a new in-field testing option
• New recall provisions
• Changes to the pre-installation compatibility assessment provisions, including additional requirements for installers of verified DECS
• Clarification of the definition of a warrantable event and revised warranty reporting requirements
• Changes to the backpressure monitoring requirements for filter-based DECS
• Other changes and clarifications

Staff will post an agenda and presentation on ARB’s Verification Procedure website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/verdev.htm and on the In-Use Compliance website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/inusecomreq.htm prior to the workshop.

The workshop will be held in El Monte and is scheduled for three hours on the date below:

Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Location: Air Resources Board

Auditorium – Annex 4

9528 Telstar Avenue

El Monte, California 91731

Comments may also be submitted by postal mail before the workshop or by electronic submittal before and during the workshop:

Postal Mail: Mr. Dean Bloudoff

Air Resources Board

1001 “I” Street, P.O. Box 2815

Sacramento, California 95812

Electronic submittal: dbloudof@arb.ca.gov

 

The public workshop will have teleconference capabilities. To participate, dial

(888) 677-0331 and give the Participant Code: 17234. For international calls, dial

(517) 268-4943. 

 

U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars Calls for Technology Neutral Public Policies and Regulations

On December 7, 2011, the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars held a panel discussion at the National Press Club on the subject of technology-neutral public policies and regulations.  Moderated by the Coalition’s Executive Director, Jeffrey Breneman, the event featured presentations by:

Greg Garr, Umicore

Lars Ullrich, Bosch

Dave Cetola, Johnson Matthey

Steve McKinley, Honeywell

Dave Cetola, Johnson Matthey

Mike Omotoso, LMC Automotive

John DeCicco, University of Michigan

Drew Kodjak, International Council on Clean Transportation

Steve Ciatti, Argonne National Laboratory

 

Collectively, the panelists discussed the potential for advanced diesel vehicles to meet future fuel efficiency standards and spoke against government policies (e.g., tax incentives for hybrids and EVs) that favor one technology over another. In their collective view, the government should set the standards and get out of the way. 

Also participating in the event was former Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta.  Mr. Mineta recently authored a White Paper for the Coalition entitled, “The Case for Technology Neutral Public Policy in Fuel Economy Debate: Allowing Performance to Determine Solutions.”  The White Paper makes the case that it is wrong for the federal government to promote EVs and hybrids over other technologies and that the government should instead be focused on improving efficiency and reducing emissions in a technology-neutral manner.  It adds that the quickest and most cost-effective way to achieve our energy usage goals is through faster adoption of fuel efficient downsized gasoline and diesel engines.

A copy of the White Paper is available online at http://www.cleandieseldelivers.com/upload/CleanDieselDelivers_White_Paper.pdf.

The U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars is comprised of the following companies: Borg Warner, Bosch, Honeywell, Johnson Matthey, SinterCast, and Umicore.  More information on the Coalition can be found online at http://www.cleandieseldelivers.com.

 

EPA Proposed Draft Guidance on Certification Requirements for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines Using SCR

 

On June 7, 2011, the EPA published a notice in the Federal Register at 76 FR 32886 requesting comment on draft guidance for complying with adjustable parameter regulations at 40 CFR 86.094-22 as they apply to certification of on-highway heavy-duty diesel engines using SCR.  Once finalized, this guidance will be used by EPA in reviewing applications for certification involving SCR received on or after the effective date of the guidance. 

Comments will be due 30 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.

Docket reference: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0444

EPA contact: Greg Orehowsky, Heavy-Duty and Nonraod Engine Group, Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, (202) 343-9292,orehowsky.gregory@epa.gov.