EMA Testifies That California's Public Transit Bus Fleet Rule is Working; No Need for Change

    CHICAGO--March 21, 2002--Testifying before the California Air Resources Board, the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) reported that the state's Public Transit Bus Fleet Rule is working and does not need change to produce expected improvements in air quality. EMA supported the ARB staff report recommendation that the rule's diesel path be retained.
    "Our message is simple. The transit bus rule is working," said Jed Mandel, EMA Chief Staff Officer. "Fleets are either converting to CNG buses or are pulling ahead new, lower emitting diesel technology. The bottom line is lower NOx emissions and cleaner air for California. EMA members have supported their transit fleet customers and ARB and its staff in successfully implementing the rule by providing new, cleaner bus engine technologies."
    In reinforcing the need to retain the flexible dual path approach, Mandel indicated that the diesel path provides several distinct advantages for transit operators and the public including:

    --  Cost-effective means to achieve equivalent or better emissions
        reductions

    --  Flexibility, technology choices, and lower cost compliance
        options

    --  Greater NOx reductions compared to base requirements

    --  Maintains a market where manufacturers can introduce ultra low
        sulfur diesel fuel and clean engine technologies.

    "Any major change now to the transit bus rule would only disrupt the significant progress that has been made and would have a disastrous impact on transit agencies and the public ridership they serve," stated Mandel.

    The Engine Manufacturers Association is a trade association representing worldwide manufacturers of internal combustion engines used in applications such as trucks and buses, farm and construction equipment, locomotives, marine vessels, and lawn, garden and utility equipment. EMA works with government and industry stakeholders to help the nation achieve its goals of cleaner fuels, more efficient engines and cleaner air. EMA members manufacture both CNG and diesel-fueled engines that power virtually all transit bus fleets in California.