Hello Stockton CSC,

Thank you for your thoughtful questions and feedback during last week’s CSC meeting on the Truck Project Plan! As discussed, we are sharing additional information for you all to review and soliciting any questions or additional feedback. Attached is a draft project plan that is modeled after San Diego AB 617’s Zero Emission Truck Pilot Project Plan and incorporates the feedback from the Heavy-Duty Truck Subcommittee and August’s meeting. As a reminder, for any CERP incentive program that is not approved under existing guidelines, we must submit to CARB a Project Plan for approval to fund the measure.

During September’s CSC meeting, we will ask for your support in submitting an incentive Project Plan to CARB for approval to open a new pathway to allow fleet owners within the Stockton AB 617 boundary to expand their fleets by purchasing new zero-emission trucks without the need to scrap existing, compliant vehicles. Should the CSC support this proposal, the District would work to finalize the Project Plan and submit to CARB for approval, which we anticipate would take several months. Please email us at AB617@valleyair.org or call (559) 230-5923 if you have any questions or feedback!

Proposed Project Plan components

• Allow fleet owners within the Stockton AB 617 boundary to expand their fleets by purchasing new zero-emission trucks without the need to scrap existing, compliant vehicles
• Increased funding amount allowed per vehicle replacement
• Requirements for trips made in Stockton AB 617 boundary

New additions to Project Plan based on CSC feedback

• Reporting requirements for miles driven by displaced diesel trucks

If you were not able to attend August’s meeting or want a refresher of what was discussed, please see below for materials and a summary of the discussion.

Materials for review:

• CERP Presentation (starting on slide 6)
• San Diego AB 617 Zero Emission Truck Pilot Project
• Meeting Recording

Summary of discussion:

There are currently $10 million remaining in the Stockton CERP for heavy-duty truck projects. The District has worked extensively with trucking operators in AB 617 communities and throughout the Valley to encourage adoption of zero-emission, advanced technology heavy-duty vehicles.  Unfortunately, the current State funding program guidelines present a barrier to companies, especially the Valley’s small businesses and single owner-operators who cannot afford to give up their existing, compliant trucks in exchange for zero-emission trucks over concerns whether the new, zero-emission truck technology will work for their operations.   

This issue is not unique to the San Joaquin Valley.  In fact, other air districts across the state are running into similar issues and in response to this issue, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDCAPCD) recently worked with CARB through their own AB 617 process to develop a project plan that provides a new pathway for zero-emission truck purchases while providing assurances that truck owners and operators need.  CARB has approved the project plan and the SDCAPCD is now able to fund the purchase of new zero emission trucks operating in their AB 617 community.

In line with this existing CARB-approved project plan for the SDCAPCD, the District is proposing to submit a similar project plan to CARB that adds a new pathway under the existing Truck Replacement CERP measure. The proposed project plan would allow fleet owners within the Stockton AB 617 boundary to expand their fleets by purchasing new zero-emission trucks without the need to scrap existing, compliant vehicles.  This would provide an opportunity for these local fleets to become familiar with the advanced technology, observe how these trucks operate in real-world applications and learn how these trucks can be incorporated into their business operations. This also provides the District and fleet operators the potential to leverage other federal and state funding programs and stretch the AB 617 dollars further. 

This action would add another pathway to the existing, approved CERP measure, and not replace the current CERP measure. With support from the CSC, in September, the District would submit an incentive project plan to CARB for approval.