The California Air Resources Board made it official last week during its two-day monthly meeting in Sacramento: It approved a four-year reprieve for its off-road diesel emissions rule, admitting that the down economy and flawed science contributed to unrealistic data.
�The Board�s decision to approve the revised off-road diesel emissions rules gives hope to thousands of construction workers fearful for their job security while safeguarding California's air quality,� says Michael Kennedy, general counsel of the Associated General Contractors of America and a lead advocate for the negotiated emissions rule change. �Board members have demonstrated real wisdom and courage in acknowledging significant errors in their original estimates of emissions from construction and other off-road diesel equipment.�