CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., March 19, 2009 – Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, the industry’s largest manufacturer of reefers and a leading manufacturer of dry freight vans, flatbeds, and Tautliner® curtainsided trailers, addresses two new CARB (California Air Resources Board) regulations, both affecting trailer equipment spec requirements and values, have recently been adopted and are due to be implemented over the next 12 months. The first regulation is the CARB Transport Refrigeration Unit (“TRU”) Airborne Toxic Control Measure. Going into effect July 17, 2009, the regulation requires all trailers that (a) operate in California (b) use refrigeration units and (c) are more than seven years old to be modified or replaced to reduce particulate matter emissions. Depending on the model year of the reefer unit, the unit manufacturer and the model year of the engine, it may be possible to modify a non-compliant refrigeration unit to meet the new regulation. “We have seen our customers meet the regulation in several ways,” said Chuck Cole. “This includes installing a CARB approved diesel particulate filter (DPF), a CARB approved rebuilt engine, a CARB approved new engine, or a new 2008 model year refrigeration unit.” Again, the feasibility of modifying to meet the new regulation is dependent on the reefer unit’s age and manufacturer, and the model year of engine used by the manufacturer. For correct methods of compliance and details, visit the California Air Resources Board Web site at www.arb.ca.gov/cc/hdghf/hdghg.htm. The second regulation soon to go into effect is the CARB Heavy Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measure, which requires fleets operating 53-foot-long dry vans and reefers in California to use either U.S. EPA-certified SmartWay® trailers or trailers equipped with aerodynamic devices that achieve 5% fuel savings for dry van trailers and 4% fuel savings for reefer trailers. Either approach will also require the use of low rolling resistance tires (either singles or duals) and the addition of U.S. EPA-approved aerodynamic devices. The CARB Heavy Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measure will go into effect January 1, 2010, and will apply to all new 2011 and later model year 53-foot dry and reefer van trailer purchases. All 2010 and prior model year 53-foot dry and reefer van trailers operating in California will also be required to comply with the regulation, with CARB providing various compliance options for existing fleets. “Now that California has raised the bar on both particulate matter emissions from diesel refrigeration units and allowable greenhouse gas emissions from tractor fuel usage while pulling 53-foot trailers, other states may soon follow suit,” Said Craig Bennett, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. “To help you comply with the new California regulations, we have recently made available additional options for U.S. EPA-approved low rolling resistance tires, as well as aerodynamic devices.” For additional information about the regulations, visit the U.S. EPA SmartWay® site at www.epa.gov/smartway/documents/420f07033.htm. For the proposed language of the regulation (the final ruling has not yet been posted), see the appendix section at www.ar.ca.gov/regact/2008/ghghdv08/ghghdv08/htm. For more information about Utility, visit www.utilitytrailer.com
