As most of you already know, California’s ports and Air Resources Board have announced regulations (see new_diesel_rules.pdf) and (ports_ban_dirty_trucks.htm) controlling truck pollution that almost mandate the use of expensive filters to control particulate matter. What most of you don’t know is the fact that the Air Resources Board has tested an alternate method involving National Vapor’s (NVI) Hydrogen Generator technology that has been found to reduce particulate emissions by more than 50%. A hydrogen generator costs a mere fraction of what filters cost. More about this below, but first, a little history on AB 32:
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 AB 32 is an environmental law in California, signed into law by Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 27, 2006. The bill establishes a timetable to bring California into near compliance with the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. In signing the bill, Schwarzenegger declared, "We simply must do everything we can in power to slow down global warming before it is too late...The global warming debate is over."
The law requires that by 2020 the state's greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to 1990 levels, a roughly 25% reduction under business as usual estimates. The California Air Resources Board, under the California Environmental Protection Agency, is to prepare plans to achieve the objectives stated in the Act. The New Diesel Rules are designed to do just that.
As defined in the bill, “greenhouse gases” include all of the following gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). These are the same gases listed as Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the Kyoto Protocol.
As for NVI technology, hydrogen generators for big-rigs have been shown to significantly reduce particulate matter (see evidence.pdf). Hydrogen gas burns longer thus burning up left over particulate matter before it ends up in a truck’s exhaust. Hydrogen also helps reduce emission gases covered by AB 32 (See also big_rig_test.htm). A perfect example of compliance with the new standards can be found by simply following trucker Jim Woodall’s example. He routinely gets waved through inspection stations when they see his AARB certificate. Jim couldn’t be happier with his NVI hydrogen generator.
Bottom Line: The purchase and installation of a hydrogen generator that costs far less than particulate filters, can provide the necessary regulatory solution allowing access to California’s ports while also meeting the Air Board’s new diesel rules. All that’s needed is a certificate of compliance from the AARB that can be obtained after hydrogen generator installation.
For additional information on how you can bring your truck into compliance with the new rules, call 925-980-7341.