The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is enforcing the Operator Report requirement for the Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM).
For TRU operators that operate, maintain, garage, or dispatch from a terminal in California, an Operator Report was due July 31, 2009. Basic information on these reports is on the TRU website under the “Operator Report” heading at www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/tru.htm. Instructions and help for submitting a report are provided at www.arb.ca.gov/arber/registration.htm. These reports are not required from independent third-party maintenance and repair facilities.
A “terminal” is defined as any place where a TRU or TRU gen-set-equipped truck, trailer, shipping container, railcar, or TRU gen-set is regularly garaged, maintained, operated, or dispatched from. This includes a dispatch office, cross-dock facility, maintenance shop, business, or private residence. Those unsure about whether they need to submit an Operator Report should call the toll-free help line at 1-888-878-2826.
Terminal operators found to be delinquent in submitting an Operator Report during a compliance inspection will be subject to penalties up to $300 per violation. Penalties may be more if the violation continues uncorrected.
In related news, December 31, 2009, is the compliance deadline for TRU engine model years 2002 and older to meet the in-use performance standards. Orders for compliance technology must take into account delivery and installation lead times, which can be several months. After Dec 31, 2009, non-compliant TRUs will be subject to penalties up to $500 per unit. There will be no grace periods for late ordering.
