Diesel Opacity Outreach: Regional and State Perspective

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Diesel Opacity Outreach Regional and State
Perspective

• Presented by
• Douglas H. Starr, P.E.
• NH Department of Environmental Services

Tri-National Smoke Opacity Workshop
San Diego, California
March 6-7, 2002
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Regional Smoke Awareness InitiativeWho?

• NESCAUM States Connecticut, Maine,
  Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
  York, Rhode Island, Vermont
  
• Maryland
• Trucking Associations and Industry Representatives

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Regional Smoke Awareness Initiative What?
Memorandum of Agreement

• Signed in 1999
• Established regional program implementation date
  of July, 2001
  
• Established smoke testing standards
• 30 day regional compliance
• Regional data sharing

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Goals of the Regional Initiative

• Reduce HDD emissions
• Standardize state testing programs
• Ease implementation of enforcement program
• Assess effectiveness of smoke testing
• Coordinate outreach efforts to both the public
  and to truck owners and trucking associations in
  the region

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Regional Outreach Efforts

• Educate the trucking community, fleet owners, and
  the public about smoke testing
  
• Promote benefits of reducing smoke
• Provide information on where to repair vehicles,
  types of repairs recommended, location of
  inspection stations and costs to comply
  
• Publicize regional efforts (ie smoke reduction
  week, press releases, voluntary testing)
  

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NH Opacity Regulations

• Heavy duty trucks and buses over 10,000 lbs
• Random roadside test locations
• Snap Acceleration Test (SAE J1667)
• Cut points
• 40 (1991 and newer)
• 55 (1974 and newer)
• 70 (1973 and older)
• Progressive fines

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Random Roadside Testing

• DOS/DMV conduct random roadside opacity testing
  at weigh stations
  
• Bosch and Red Mountain opacimeters used
• Over 1000 tests since 8/00
• 9 failure rate
• Investigate complaints

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The New Hampshire Way

• Pollution Prevention (P2)
• Inter- and intra-agency cooperation
• Identify Stakeholders
• Education and Technical Assistance
• Compliance Assistance
• Recognition
• Communication

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Examples of New Hampshire Initiatives

• Clean Marine Engines
• Granite State Clean Cars
• NHMTA Opacity and Idling
• NHSTA School Bus Idling

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Communication Tools

• Printed materials for general distribution
• Internet
• Media
• Public Presentations
• Industry Workshops
• Direct Mailing and Newsletters

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Douglas H. Starr, P.E.

• Air Pollution Control Engineer
• New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services
• Air Resources Division
• 6 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03302-0095
• 603-271-0889
• dstarr_at_des.state.nh.us
• NHDES Website www.des.state.nh

New Hampshire Doing Our Share for Clean Air!