California state motor vehicle pollution control standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice for public hearing and comment. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) notified EPA it adopted a series of amendments to its on-highway heavy-duty vehicle and engine regulations. The amendments to CARB's in-use compliance program align CARB's program with EPA's program in terms of measurement allowances during on-road testing (In-Use Amendments). The amendments to CARB's 2007 and subsequent model year (MY) regulation (2007 Amendments) are minor technical amendments regarding mathematical expression of emission results and certain compliance flexibilities. The amendments to CARB's truck idling requirements (Truck Idling Amendments) clarify that certain vehicles are exempt from the new vehicle requirements. By letter dated January 27, 2016, CARB submitted a request that EPA grant a full waiver of preemption under section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 7543(b) for the In-Use Amendments. CARB separately seeks EPA's confirmation that the 2007 Amendments and the Truck Idling Amendments are within the scope of prior EPA waiver decisions. This notice announces that EPA has scheduled a public hearing concerning California's request and that EPA is accepting written comment on the request. EPA has tentatively scheduled a public hearing concerning CARB's request on September 28, 2016, at 10 a.m. EPA will hold a hearing only if any party notifies EPA by September 21, 2016 to express interest in presenting the Agency with oral testimony.

Agency Contact: David Dickinson (202) 343-9256: Dickinson.David@EPA.GOV.
PUBLISHED: 8/9/2016; ACTION: Notice; REFERENCE: 81 FR 52678; REG: 40 CFR Part 209.

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