Environmental Leader

The California Air Resources Board has approved six measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Sacramento Bee. The proposals are on track to become law by Jan. 1, 2010, though all are still subject to revision.

The newly approved measures include:

Smartway Truck Efficiency: Requires all of the more than 1 million tractor-trailers that travel California roads each year to be fitted with aerodynamic skirts and tails. In addition, dual wheels and tires on 18-wheelers would be replaced with extra-wide “super-singles,” which have lower rolling resistance.

Port electrification: This measure will require docked ships to shut off their auxiliary engines by plugging into shoreside electrical outlets. This is already offered as a NOx and diesel PM reduction effort used at the ports of Long Beach/Los Angeles and Oakland.

Reduction of perfluorocarbons from the semiconductor industry: PFCs will be reduced through alternative chemistry development, emissions abatement and recovery and recycling.

Reduction of propellants in consumer products: Aerosols, tire inflators, electronics cleaning and dust removal products all contain propellants that contribute an estimated 300,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in California every year. Manufacturers can help by switching from HFC propellants to others with lower climate impact.

Tire inflation: ARB will craft regulations requiring tune-up, smog check and oil change mechanics to ensure proper tire inflation as part of overall service.

Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) reductions from non-electricity sector: ARB proposes to ban the use of SF6 from non-essential uses if viable alternatives are available. SF6 is currently used in manufacturing processes with aluminum, magnesium and semiconductors, as well as a tracer for air quality and vehicle studies.

The regulations are scheduled to be the first regulations adopted under Assembly Bill 32, which requires the state to cut climate-warming emissions 25 percent by 2020.