November Question of the Month

Question of the Month: Which states have adopted the California Air Resources Board (CARB) aftermarket conversion certification requirements?

Answer: In the United States, all aftermarket conversion systems (except pure battery electric vehicles) must meet current applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. EPA instituted these standards to assure that a vehicle’s tailpipe emissions do not increase as a result of the conversion. For more information on EPA standards for vehicle and engine conversions, please refer to the EPA Alternative Fuel Conversion website (http://epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm).

CARB has set its own standards for alternative fuel conversion systems, which are more stringent than those of EPA. Manufacturers that wish to sell aftermarket conversion systems for use in California must meet CARB standards and obtain approval from CARB. While EPA accepts all CARB certifications to meet their standards, EPA certificates of conformity and tampering exemptions are not required by CARB and cannot take the place of CARB certification.

In addition to impacting the sale and use of aftermarket conversion systems in California, the CARB conversion standards also impact some of the 13 other states that have adopted CARB’s overall motor vehicle emissions regulations. The table below shows the states that have adopted CARB’s vehicle emissions standards in whole or in part. It also indicates whether each state enforces EPA or CARB aftermarket conversion standards.

State	Conversion Standards Enforced
California	CARB
Connecticut	EPA
District of Columbia	EPA
Maine	EPA
Maryland	CARB
Massachusetts	EPA
New Jersey	CARB (but also accepts EPA)
New Mexico	EPA
New York	CARB
Oregon	EPA
Pennsylvania	CARB (but also accepts EPA)
Rhode Island	EPA
Vermont	EPA
Washington	EPA

For more information about CARB aftermarket conversion certification, please refer to the following resources:

·         CARB Alternative Fuel Retrofit Systems Program: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/altfuel/altfuel.htm

o   This website links to a list of certified alternative fuel retrofit systems.

·         CARB Aftermarket Parts Database of Executive Orders:  http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/devices/amquery.php

o   This database includes information about conversion systems that have been granted exemptions to emissions control system-anti-tampering regulations by CARB.

Also refer to the following resources for information about the requirements in other states that enforce CARB conversion standards:

·         Maryland

o   Maryland Statutes, Environment Code 2-1101 through 2-1108 (http://mlis.state.md.us/)

·         New York

o   New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regulations, Chapter III – Air Resources, Part 218 (http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2492.html)

·         New Jersey

o   State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Memorandum on Aftermarket Conversion Systems for Alternative Fuels (see attached)

·         Pennsylvania

o   Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality Policy on Clean Alternative Fuel Conversion Systems (http://files.dep.state.pa.us/AboutDEP/AboutDEPPortalFiles/RemarksAndTestimonies/NaturalGasVehicleConversionSystems/PCVConversionPolicyFinal.pdf)

For general information about conversion regulations, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center Conversion Regulations page (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/conversions_regulations.html). Also see the NGVAmerica Aftermarket Conversion Systems: EPA and CARB Regulations website (http://www.ngvc.org/gov_policy/fed_regs/fed_AfterMarket.html).

Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team

technicalresponse@icfi.com

800-254-6735

Idle Free Fleets Conference

Join Utah Clean Cities and Kennecott Utah Copper to learn how to implement Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free in your fleet. The conference will include a keynote address from Governor Gary R. Herbert, an introduction to Kennecott Utah Copper’s new Idle Free Tool Kit, and panel discussions with representatives from business, industry, government and education who have embraced anti-idling in their fleets

Preliminary Agenda

Welcome  & Lunch                                          

Keynote – Governor Gary R. Herbert              

Kennecott Utah Copper Idle Free Toolkit
Break                                                                  

Break Out Session: panel discussions:            

          Government & Municipal Fleets     

          Business & Industry                  

          School Bus Fleets                      

Networking & Material Distribution          

Registration Information & Detailed Agenda to follow 

WEBINAR: 10 Critical Factors to Consider Before Choosing a CNG Vehicle Supplier

Sponsored by:

November 27, 2012, 11AM Pacific / 2PM Eastern Presented by: John Howell Senior Director, Marketing Westport LD     Investing in a CNG fleet is a major financial and operational decision. This webinar will give you further insight and information on the 10 critical factors fleet managers, and their financial and operations teams, need to consider as they go through the supplier qualification and selection process. Based on input from fleet managers and fleet management companies nationwide, these 10 critical factors will help decision-makers in your company avoid costly mistakes, minimize risks, and achieve positive return on investment in a shorter period of time. Understand how the non-OEM kit and convert process affects the manufacturer warranty Learn how calibration affects drivability Discover the right questions to ask about safety testing and crash testing Gain a financial framework to calculate the ROI on your CNG investment Understand how sales and service affect delivery and in-service times

Sign up NOW! It's FREE.

Brought to you by: Sponsored by:

Funding Available for Clean Fuel Projects

NEWS RELEASE October 31, 2011 Contact: Lisa Burr, (801) 536-4019 Division of Air Quality

 

Funding Available for Clean Fuel Projects

Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is seeking projects for a total of $250,000 in grants and another $250,000 in loans from the Clean Fuels Grant and Loan Program. Funds are awarded to help businesses and governments to purchase clean fuel technologies that reduce emissions and improve Utah’s air quality.

“A significant portion of Utah’s air pollution comes from vehicles,” said Bryce Bird, director of DAQ. “By providing incentives, the state can work with local governments and the business community to increase the use of clean fuel technologies to reduce emissions from vehicles.”

Since 2009, DAQ has awarded a total $981,658 in grants and $366,667 in loans to more than 21 different organizations.  Projects have included the conversion of cars, trucks, and shuttle buses to natural gas as well as the purchase of natural gas refuse trucks, freight trucks, transit buses, street sweepers, aerial truck towers, glass recycling vehicles, and refueling stations.

Proposals must be submitted to DAQ no later than 5 pm on Dec. 13.  The awards will be announced in March. 

For more information, visit: www.cleanfuels.utah.gov.

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