Mar 20

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Oregon Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants - Retrofits

What You Need to Know About Oregon’s Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program

By DES Tech News DES News, Emissions Industry Related

UPDATE: The window for 2023 grant applications in Oregon is from April 3 to June 6, 2023.

If you own a medium or heavy-duty commercial vehicle with a diesel engine, the state of Oregon is offering a grant program that may affect you. There are millions of dollars in funding available, but to benefit you need to act quickly!

What You Need to Know!

Owners of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles with diesel engines in the State of Oregon are eligible for a grant that will pay for a retrofit on their vehicles. This is an exciting opportunity to reduce the harmful diesel emissions your vehicle emits.

This program is funded by the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust, a settlement that is designed to reduce emissions from older, more polluting medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks and equipment currently operating in Oregon.

Again, the dates for submitting your 2023 grant applications are April 3 to June 6, DEADLINE EXTENDED to JULY 6th, 2023. It can be a process, don’t wait to get your vehicle(s) assessed and the paperwork completed.

In a video provided by the Oregon DEQ, they described why this program is so important:

“The goal of the Oregon DEQ is to establish a transparent and accessible program that measurably reduces diesel emissions in Oregon in the places where it is needed most.”

The State of Oregon will be receiving a total of $72.9 million dollars over a 10-year period between 2017 and 2027. All the funds must be used by October of 2027, or the State of Oregon will be forced to return unused funds, so there is a level of urgency to have vehicle owners apply and get their vehicles retrofitted.

To date, the State of Oregon has allocated, $10.9 million on administrative costs related to managing the program, and between $18 – 22 million on the school bus program (SB 1008). They have spent $8.8 million on 439 school buses so far and are planning on retrofitting 450 school buses by the end of the year.

There is approximately $40 million dollars left in the fund and the plan is to spend $8 million a year over 5-years until all the funds have been spent. This funding is for public sector projects and if your vehicle is eligible will cover 100% of the exhaust control retrofit.

Which Vehicles Qualify for the Program?

Eligibility has been established by the Oregon DEQ and is focused on vehicles that have older diesel engines. These are generally vehicles that pre-date modern diesel emissions systems that have since been mandated by the EPA.

Eligible Commercial Vehicles:

Eligible trucks would be 1992-2009 engine year models.

Eligible buses would be 2009 or older, class 4-8, and a GVWR greater than 14,000 lbs and used for transporting people.

Eligible diesel equipment would be one in the following categories: large trucks, buses, freight switchers, ferries and tugs, medium trucks, airport ground support equipment, forklifts, or port cargo handling equipment.

An eligible Off-Road vehicle means a diesel engine of more than 25 horsepower that is not designed to propel a motor vehicle on public highways.

There is a short window of time to apply for grants in 2023. Oregon DEQ is accepting 2023 grants for diesel-powered vehicles between April 3 and June 6, EXTENDED to JULY 6th, 2023.

Learn more about the grant from the official Oregon DEQ page.

Why Should You Get a Retrofit Done?

The following information was taken from Oregon.gov.

HB 2007 establishes deadlines, after which certain older model, diesel engine vehicles cannot be titled or registered in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties unless they meet retrofit requirements.

The gross vehicle weight rating for diesel vehicles categorized in HB 2007 are:

Medium-duty (14,000 – 26,000 lbs.)

Heavy-duty (>26,000 lbs.)

Gross vehicle weight rating means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a single or a combination vehicle.

The legislation allows a vehicle to be registered or titled after the phase-out deadlines if it is equipped with DEQ/EQC-certified retrofit technology. The legislation also exempts certain vehicle types from phase-out deadlines. For vehicles regulated by HB 2007, DEQ will complete a rulemaking to establish criteria for certification of approved retrofit technologies by 2021.

The engine model years and deadlines for registration of approved retrofit options are:

Jan. 1, 2023: Publicly and privately owned medium- and heavy-duty trucks with an engine model year 1996 or older cannot be registered

Jan. 1, 2025: Medium-duty trucks with an engine model year 2009 or older cannot be titled and heavy-duty trucks with an engine model year 2006 or older cannot be titled.

Jan. 1, 2029: Publicly and privately owned medium-duty trucks with an engine model year 2009 or older cannot be registered. Publicly owned heavy-duty trucks with an engine model year 2009 or older cannot be registered. Privately owned heavy-duty trucks with an engine model year 2006 or older cannot be registered.

We Will Take You Step-by-Step Through the Process

Diesel Emissions Service is your partner for the application process. We’ve sent additional personnel to our location in Oregon to help you navigate the grant application process, provide vehicle evaluations and estimates for the retrofits.

With over 18,000 emission control devices installed by our expert teams, we know retrofits. We can assist in choosing the right retrofit for your application, then our professional installation crews will install the system to ensure peak performance and durability.

There are 4 steps you need to take:

Step 1: Contact DES to schedule an appointment. Our phone number is 1-844-556-3150 or you can email us.

Step 2: We will perform a Pre-Assessment and install a data logger on each vehicle you want to apply for the grant with.

Step 3: Complete the data/forms required by the Oregon DEQ.

Step 4: Once data logging is complete, we will give you a quote to submit with your application package.

NOTE: The window for 2023 grant applications is April 3 to June 6, EXTENDED to JULY 6th, 2023. Don’t wait to get started – these things take time.

Take the First Step

Owner-operators, fleets, municipalities, and construction companies looking to apply for these funds should contact Diesel Emissions Service and schedule a call or site visit to help with the application phase.

Again our phone number is:

1-844-556-3150

Or you can email us.

Visit our Oregon Grant page for more information on the application process.

We hope you found this article helpful. At DES, we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article, use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

We’re social, follow DES on your social network of choice.

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Get the latest on the industry and DES.

Jan 03

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Clean Air Construction program in Portland Metro area article

What you need to know about the Clean Air Construction Program

By DES Tech News DES News, Emissions Industry Related

Retrofit assessment vouchers now available

The Clean Air Construction (CAC) Program.

Public agencies in the Portland Metro Area have partnered together to reduce diesel emissions from construction projects through the Clean Air Construction (CAC) Program.
These emissions reductions will be accomplished in 2 ways:

1. Enacting idle reduction procedures on construction sites. A phase-in schedule that restricts older diesel engines from operating onsite, requiring retrofit or upgrades for non-compliant equipment.

2. This regional program requires contractors on applicable projects to register equipment online. Compliance with the CAC requirements is verified in several ways, including onsite audits.

There are various state grant programs available to assist with the costs of retrofitting your older diesel construction vehicles. CAC also offers free technical assistance to small firms and COBID-certified contractors

Learn more about CAC requirements on the program web page, and contact cleanairconstruction@portlandoregon.gov to learn if the CAC standards impact your work.

Participating in reducing diesel particulate matter emissions will provide Portland residents with better air quality, eliminate potential noncompliance fines, and see the real-time results of your efforts.

CAC Phase-In Schedule

The phase-in schedule describes requirements for all diesel-powered nonroad construction equipment greater than 25 horsepower and all on-road dump trucks and concrete mixers used on public construction projects.

All equipment working on a CAC project will need to be registered in CAC’s online compliance database, The Yard.

Schedule Your Fleet Assessment Today!

The City of Portland is offering free fleet assessments and compliance plans for COBID-certified and small firms in light of the Clean Air Construction Standard (CAC) requirements that went into effect on January 1, 2022.

Support You’ll Receive

Review of equipment and vehicles that are subject to the CAC regulations
A compliance plan that indicates the date by which your equipment can be used on a CAC site, and which equipment can be upgraded for extended compliance
An inventory of equipment that will help you meet CAC requirements, including registration in the CAC database
Most of the information needed to apply for future grant opportunities.

GET MORE INFO & ASSISTANCE

CAC Retrofit Assessment Voucher Program

One way to comply with Clean Air Construction requirements is to install and maintain an engine retrofit. Retrofitting may be appropriate for older equipment with engines manufactured 10-15 years ago or more. For some equipment, a retrofit can be very effective at reducing diesel emissions from engine exhaust.

Who can apply for a retrofit assessment voucher?

COBID-certified or small construction firms that currently perform work as a subcontractor or a prime contractor with an agency in the Clean Air Construction Collaborative may apply.

A voucher provided by the Clean Air Construction Program covers the cost of the retrofit assessment.

What does the retrofit assessment provide?

An assessment is the first step to determine if engine retrofit is a suitable solution for a particular vehicle/piece of equipment. If a retrofit is suitable, a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) may be recommended, and associated costs will be outlined.

In some cases, the assessment may find that retrofit is not suitable. If this is the case, the Clean Air Construction program will help you identify other compliance pathways.

Who conducts the retrofit assessment?

Engine retrofit specialists at Diesel Emissions Service (DES) provide this service in the voucher program. Diesel Emissions Service is a leader in the application of retrofit technologies and has installed over 18,000 emission control devices since 2006. DES is authorized by manufacturers to do this work for all major makes/models of nonroad and on-road diesel vehicles/equipment.

Diesel Emissions Services your retrofit specialists

How do I request a retrofit assessment voucher?

To request a voucher send an email to: cleanairconstruction@portlandoregon.gov

In the email, please include:
- Name of business
- The agency/agencies your business holds contracts within the Clean Air Construction collaborative
- Primary contact name, email, and phone number
- If COBID certified, please include the certification number and type
- If not COBID certified, please list bonding capacity (for small businesses)
Include the equipment/vehicle registration number (or Equipment ID in the absence of a registration number) from The Yard (Portland.gov/CAC/TheYard) for each piece of equipment/vehicle requested.

What happens after I make the request for a voucher?

After eligibility is verified:

The Clean Air Construction Program will provide a voucher code and contact information for the retrofit assessment specialists.
Appointments for the assessment can then be scheduled directly with the retrofit assessment specialists (Diesel Emissions Service) at this point.

What can I expect during the retrofit assessment?

Non-road vehicles:

The technician will record all necessary information about the equipment and determine whether it is safe to install a retrofit while the machine is in operation. DES will then decide if the equipment is suitable for a Passive system, Active system, or Diesel Oxidation Catalyst based on their review. If a Passive system can be utilized, a data logger will be installed to track the temperature of the engine exhaust. The data logger will be removed once the required operating hours have been completed. The results will be available within one week.

On-road vehicles:

During the appointment, a technician will document all necessary information about the vehicle and determine the best location to install the retrofit. A temporary data logger will be installed in the exhaust stream to monitor the temperature of the engine exhaust, which will provide insight into the vehicle’s duty cycle. Once the required time for testing has been completed, the truck will return to the location to have the data logger removed. The results of the test will be available within one week.

On trucks that cannot use a passive system, the same process applies but a data logger will not be installed.

What’s the next step after the retrofit assessment?

The vendor will send a recommendation report for diesel emissions reduction technologies to the contact email of each participating firm.

The Clean Air Construction coordinator will then follow up with any additional information or resources about the report recommendations. Grants or other resources to help offset the cost of retrofits may be available. The coordinator can provide more information about these resources.

More Information About Clean Air Construction & Equipment Registration

FAQ Section:

Tap/click the questions to expand/view the answer.

When we are assigned a project in CAC’s The Yard database, we have to add our subcontractors to the project. Do all our subcontractors need to register, or just the ones that have equipment that falls into the registration categories?

Just your subcontractors that have (or rent) equipment in the categories covered by the Clean Air Construction standard need to register: all non-road equipment (except hand tools) and all on-road dump trucks and concrete mixers – this includes any non-diesel equipment in these categories.

For example, a flagging subcontractor with just pickup trucks does not need to register.

What is an Engine Family Name? (Finding Diesel Engine Emission Certification Information)

The Engine Family Name (EFN) (may also be called emission family name/number) is a 10-to-12-character alpha-numeric code assigned by the engine manufacturer that allows specific engine certification information to be determined. It can be found on the engine control label (ECL).

For more information on how to find the EFN and other engine details needed to register your equipment in The Yard, check out: Finding Engine Details for Equipment Registration in The Yard

I registered my on-road dump truck in The Yard. Why didn't I receive a registration decal for it?

The mailing of registration decals for CAC-applicable on-road vehicles will be delayed until late 2023. This is because the CAC requirements for on-road vehicles will not take effect until January 1, 2024. Delaying the mail date of the decals will extend their lifespan, reducing the need for replacements due to wear and tear.

I attested my CAC-applicable equipment in The Yard, but I have not received my registration decals yet. How long does it take to receive them once I attest my equipment?

After an equipment owner registers and attests their equipment in The Yard, the CAC Program Coordinator reviews the registration to confirm the compliance status. Once the equipment has been confirmed, it is added to a queue for decal assignment and mailing. This queue is processed every two weeks. You will receive a notice via The Yard when your registration decal(s) have been processed for mailing.

If more than two weeks have passed, please check your messages/notifications in The Yard for any requests for additional equipment details needed to confirm the equipment’s compliance status.

What if the engine label on my engine has worn off or I otherwise do not have enough information to complete the engine data fields when registering my equipment?

Complete as much information as you can and email the Clean Air Construction Program Coordinator for further assistance. You can also request replacement engine labels for your equipment by contacting the original engine manufacturer or equipment dealer and providing the engine serial number.

What are the consequences for non-compliance with the Clean Air Construction requirements?

Each Clean Air Construction partner agency has its own process for non-compliance based on its procurement rules.

Please reference your contract with the specific agency to understand the consequence if a piece of equipment on the project site is found to be non-compliant.

As a subcontractor, am I responsible for ensuring any of my subcontractors or suppliers register their equipment in The Yard?

The prime contractor is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with Clean Air Construction requirements, as they are the entity that signed the contract with the relevant agency. Therefore, it is the prime contractor’s duty to ensure compliance with these requirements.

What the prime contractor’s expectations are around who is responsible for getting applicable Tier 2 subcontractors’/suppliers’ equipment registered is something that the prime and the first-Tier subcontractors need to work out within their agreements.

Within The Yard, any Equipment Owner User can invite another Equipment Owner to register their equipment in The Yard, so that functionality is accessible to subcontractors.

What does the Clean Air Construction (CAC) initiative mean for my business?

If you are looking to work on an applicable public agency’s construction project valued over that agency’s applicable CAC threshold on or after January 1, 2020, you need to be aware of the CAC requirements. CAC requirements include two components:

Idle reduction requirements that went into effect on January 1, 2020.
Phased-in diesel engine requirements – beginning with the oldest and dirtiest engines – went into effect on January 1, 2022.

See the Clean Air Construction Overview & Requirements page for specifics on applicable agency thresholds and the phase-in schedule.

What types of construction projects does the CAC initiative apply to?

The specific type of construction projects the CAC requirements apply to will vary by applicable public agency, depending on that agency’s applicable contract dollar threshold and how construction was defined in a specific agency’s CAC adoption document. See the Clean Air Construction Overview & Requirements page for specifics.

Why are public agencies in the Portland Metro area adopting Clean Air Construction requirements?

In the Portland Metro area, levels of pollution from diesel engines exceed the State’s adopted health benchmarks. These engines produce fine, sooty particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing negative impacts on the cardiovascular and nervous systems and acting as a known carcinogen. Despite the significant health risks, the State of Oregon does not regulate diesel particulate matter, disproportionately affecting the residents and workers in the Portland Metro area.

To address this issue and improve air quality, public agencies in the Portland Metro area are implementing requirements from the CAC in their projects to reduce the negative health impacts of diesel pollution.

Why does the idling requirement allow engines to idle for 5 minutes?

Diesel engines require a period of idling to cool down after periods of heavy operation in order to maintain their lifespan and performance. Shutting down a diesel engine before it has cooled down can cause damage and negatively impact its performance. The CAC’s nonroad idling requirement aligns with the State’s 5-minute idling requirement for on-road vehicles in the public right of way, which aims to reduce the negative impact of idling on engine life and performance.

Do idling requirements apply to trucks?

The CAC idling requirements only apply to nonroad diesel engines. Individual public agencies adopting the CAC requirements may have additional project site idling requirements included in contract requirements as per separate ordinances, resolutions, or policies.

Isn't turning the engine on/off to avoid idling bad for the engine?

No. In fact, idling can reduce engine life and wastes fuel and money. Check out the following resources from other States:

Idle-Free California
Metro Vancouver

Why are the CAC engine requirements phased-in over so many years?

The CAC’s phase-in approach for engine requirements aims to balance the need for emissions reductions with the burden of compliance on contractors. This approach allows contractors to gradually upgrade their applicable equipment and vehicles, minimizing the impact on their business operations and competitiveness in bidding for local public projects. However, these upgrades can come at a significant cost, which is why the phase-in schedule is in place to give contractors time to plan and prepare for the necessary changes.

What if my supplier is delivering materials on a flatbed truck to the project site, are they required to meet the CAC?

The CAC requirements only apply to nonroad construction equipment and on-road cement mixers and dump trucks. Flatbed trucks and other delivery vehicles are not otherwise subject to the CAC requirements.

As a contractor, what do I need to do to demonstrate compliance?

Contractors (prime and sub-contractors, and applicable suppliers) will be required to submit to the CAC Program all requested diesel equipment/vehicle information needed to verify compliance, including confirmation that retrofit devices are maintained on the equipment in proper operating condition. Further details on the compliance process and required information will be developed as part of the program development in 2020. While details are currently being developed, it is the intent that:

upon determining compliance with the requirements, the CAC Program will issue an equipment/vehicle decal for each compliant piece of equipment/vehicle, and the decal must be displayed on the compliant equipment/vehicle at all times in a location readily visible by agency staff.
random on-site inspections by agency staff (or approved program operator) will be conducted on a project-by-project basis.
contractor and vehicle compliance information will be housed in a database accessible by all local public agencies that have adopted the CAC requirements to verify compliance across jurisdictions.

What if I can’t find a compliant piece of equipment?

Contractors may apply for exemptions to the diesel engine requirements on a per project basis in circumstances where:

The equipment/vehicle is required for an emergency (including for underground equipment operators).
The required emission control device would obscure operator lines of sight or otherwise impact worker safety, or the equipment is not able to be retrofitted with a verified emission control device, and no compliant rental equipment is available within 100 miles of the job site.
The contractor can demonstrate that due to the uniqueness of the equipment/vehicle or similar special circumstances, it is not reasonable to comply with the diesel engine requirement for a specific piece of equipment/vehicle.

How do I find out if my construction equipment or vehicle engines are subject to the CAC requirements?

Review the Compliance Options Protocol steps. The first few steps identify which construction equipment/vehicle engines are subject to the CAC requirements. See the Clean Air Construction Overview & Requirements page for specifics.

How do I determine compliance of an on-road vehicle?

Please check the model year of the engine and ensure that all exhaust control systems are functioning properly. Vehicles with engines from 2007 or later and properly functioning exhaust control systems are in compliance.

To determine compliance of nonroad equipment, how do I look up the engine Tier?

Engine tier can be looked up by knowing the engine model year and the horsepower of the equipment. Reference the EPA Nonroad Ratings/Tier Chart.

What options are available to upgrade my vehicles/equipment for compliance with the CAC requirements?

There are several options for contractors to comply with the CAC requirements. For future purchases and capital investments, contractors should:

Include CAC requirements in their plans for future vehicle/equipment purchases and replacements as vehicles and equipment reach their end of life.
Prioritize purchases of low-carbon or alternative fuel equipment and vehicles, such as electric, renewable diesel, or compressed natural gas (CNG).

To upgrade existing equipment for compliance, contractors have several options at various price points, beginning with the lowest cost options:

Rent compliant vehicle/equipment for use on the job
Retrofit vehicle/equipment with emission control devices
Repower existing vehicle/equipment with new Tier 4 engine for nonroad equipment
Replace engine with a 2007 or newer engine for on-road engines
Purchase used vehicle/equipment that was 2014 or newer nonroad or 2007 and newer on-road
Purchase new vehicle/equipment

Are there technical and financial resources to assist with the cost of upgrading my equipment?

There are technical and financial assistance resources for diesel equipment and vehicle owners to help comply with CAC requirements. For more details on grants, onsite technical assistance, and training resources, see the Clean Air Construction Assistance page.

How many public agencies have adopted the CAC requirements?

For a current list of public agencies that have adopted the CAC requirements, check the Clean Air Construction Overview & Requirements page.

What support the program will provide the contractors?

As part of the program development process in 2020, the CAC Program will determine the details of contractor support, including the minimum level of technical assistance and web-based resources that will be provided to help contractors register their vehicles/equipment and ensure CAC compliance. These resources will be made available to assist contractors in navigating the requirements of the program.

Other aspects of contractor support currently being considered and/or pursued include:

Utilization of State of Oregon VW Settlement money for grants that support diesel engine retrofits or replacements.
Assisting contractors with pursuing EPA DERA grant funds for diesel engine retrofits or replacements.

If the City of Portland determines that my equipment and vehicles are compliant with the CAC requirements, will that approval be accepted by other agencies who adopt the CAC requirements and vice versa?

Yes. One of the main goals in taking a regional approach to developing the CAC initiative is to reduce the administrative burden on contractors by not having multiple standards and multiple compliance processes.

Important Diesel Information

What is the significance of the diesel engine?

Diesel engines are a vital component of modern life, known for their high power output, fuel efficiency, and strong torque at lower speeds.

They are widely used to transport commercial goods across Oregon and the rest of the country, as well as to power a significant portion of heavy construction equipment. While new technologies offer the potential for cleaner engine alternatives, the reliable and durable diesel is likely to remain an essential part of commercial activity for the foreseeable future. However, the major issue with diesel engines is the air pollution they produce.

Does retrofit equipment affect the effectiveness of my diesel equipment?

Successful retrofits are very common as technology has improved over the years – but success also depends on how well the equipment owner understands how to maintain the retrofit device. The CAC Committee is working on training materials related to maintaining retrofits and will update resources as they become available on the Clean Air Construction Assistance page.

What is diesel exhaust?

Diesel exhaust is produced when fuel is burned in a diesel engine, resulting in a complex mixture of gases, fine particles, and toxic air pollutants. The main gases of concern are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and nitrous oxide. Major particles include soot, hydrocarbons, sulfate, nitrate, and metals such as aluminum, iron, silicon, titanium, and zinc. The exhaust also contains various other toxic gases and particles, including formaldehyde, acetone, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The specific composition of diesel exhaust varies and is influenced by factors such as the type of vehicle, fuel type, use or task of the vehicle, vehicle speed, and maintenance status. Weather conditions, including air temperature, can also affect the gases and particles present in the exhaust.

What are the problems associated with diesel exhaust?

Diesel engines release pollutants that can harm the environment and impact human health. These pollutants can be deposited on land and eventually make their way into water bodies, causing acid rain and increasing nitrates in wetlands, lakes, and streams. Acid rain and soot deposition can also cause metal corrosion and reduce the lifespan of buildings, bridges, and other structures.

Communities near sources of diesel emissions, such as busy truck and bus routes, areas of chronic traffic congestion, freight terminals, and construction sites, are more likely to experience the negative impacts of diesel exhaust. In the Portland metro area, African American and Latino populations face up to three times higher exposure rates, due to their proximity to high development and transportation activities.

Diesel exhaust is the largest source of black carbon particles in the United States. Black carbon is a major contributor to global warming, second only to carbon dioxide. These particles are released into the atmosphere and absorb heat, which can increase air temperatures. When they fall on snow and ice fields, they absorb light and release heat, causing an increase in melting rates.

Why is the Portland Metro Area at a greater risk of exposure to diesel exhaust?

According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Portland has a higher health risk from air toxins exposure compared to less densely populated areas of the state. DEQ has identified that the toxins of greatest concern in Portland are benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and soot from diesel engines. Since Portland is at a greater risk of exposure to these toxins, and since the increased risk is primarily due to diesel exhaust, it is likely that people living in the Portland Metro area are at a higher risk of exposure to diesel exhaust. This risk is primarily driven by the population density of the Portland Metro area, the number of vehicles on the roads, and the amount of construction, freight, marine, and rail activity within the Metro boundary.

How can diesel exhaust be reduced or controlled?

Improved technology can significantly reduce pollution from diesel engines, as we’ve seen in the commercial trucking industry over the last 15 years. These technologies include improved engine design, idle reduction, and cleaner fuels, as well as exhaust aftertreatment technologies such as improved catalysts, diesel particulate filters, and NOx reduction technology. Regular inspection and maintenance to ensure that the control technology is functioning properly is also important in keeping emissions rates low.

Why does the Clean Air Construction initiative focus on construction vehicles and equipment?

Construction equipment is designed and built to have a long lifespan, and it is not uncommon to see equipment that is 30+ years old on job sites. These older vehicles do not have the advanced pollution control technology for NOx and fine particulates that comes standard on the US EPA Tier 4 equipment that is manufactured today. Also, there are few incentives for business owners to retrofit or replace older equipment if that equipment remains operational. The Clean Air Construction program leverages public dollars to reduce diesel emissions on public construction projects, which in turn helps to minimize a large source of diesel emissions in the Portland area. Since these types of projects are within the Portland city limits, meaningful reductions will occur where people actually live and breathe.

What are the health impacts of diesel exhaust?

Exposure to diesel exhaust can have immediate health effects. Diesel exhaust can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and it can cause coughs, headaches, lightheadedness, and nausea. Exposure to diesel exhaust also causes inflammation in the lungs, which may aggravate chronic respiratory symptoms and increase the frequency or intensity of asthma attacks and increase susceptibility to respiratory diseases like COVID-19.

Diesel particulate matter is a known human carcinogen. There are also non-cancerous, long-term health effects associated with exposure which include asthma, heart disease, chronic lung disease, neurological damage, and premature mortality.

What are the societal costs of diesel exhaust?

The levels of diesel pollution in Oregon result in significant public health impacts. Including:

Over 400 premature deaths
Over 140 non-fatal heart attacks
Over 25,000 work loss days

The monetized value of diesel pollution health impacts in Oregon exceeds $3 billion annually.

Who is most impacted by diesel exhaust?

The elderly, people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, children, and certain occupations such as railroad workers, truck drivers, loading dock workers, diesel mechanics, and construction equipment workers are most impacted by diesel exhaust due to their increased sensitivity and exposure to fine-particle pollution. In Oregon alone, over 29,000 workers are at risk of negative health effects from diesel exhaust. Children in particular are more susceptible to the effects of fine particles, which can lead to increased frequency of childhood illnesses and reduced lung function.

Who do I contact with questions related to the CAC initiative?

Refer to the contact information on the Clean Air Construction Overview page.

DES is here to help you

To assist Oregon’s diesel fleets to navigate these new regulations, we’ve compiled as much helpful information as possible regarding Oregon’s various emission reduction programs and initiatives.

Get more info from our companion project page on Oregon Retrofit Compliance.

Learn about DEQ Oregon’s Grant program and how to get funding to improve your fleet’s emission reductions and bring those older diesel vehicles into compliance. Oregon Diesel Grants page.

Or feel free to contact Jeff Wells our Retrofit Manager at DES Portland for any of your retrofit-related questions.

Call 844-556-3150 or email info@des.direct

Do you have a medium- or heavy-duty diesel vehicle powered by a 2009 or older engine? Phase-out periods for these vehicles are also coming!

DES Portland can help you plan ahead for these additional regulations and vehicle restrictions arriving in both 2025 and 2029.

Diesel Emissions Services (DES) has successfully installed well over 15k retrofits in California and across the United States. Our Portland OR location has a complete DPF Cleaning facility and a full inventory of aftertreatment parts for servicing emissions systems. We have the equipment, expertise, and experienced retrofit installers for whatever you need.

We are honored to assist heavy-duty diesel fleets and equipment operators in the State of Oregon to help improve air quality and the environment for future generations.

We hope you found this article helpful. At DES, we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article, use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

We’re social, follow DES on your social network of choice.

More News

Get the latest on the industry and DES.

May 13

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Oregon’s Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program article

Breaking Down Oregon’s Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program

By DES Tech News DES News, Emissions Industry Related

NEWS FLASH

Oregon’s Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program

In an ongoing bid to reduce pollution, Oregon’s Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program is nearing a major milestone on January 1st, 2023. If you live in the Portland metro area and have an older medium- or heavy-duty diesel vehicle, this program may apply to you!

We’re breaking down the retrofit compliance program in Oregon, so keep reading to learn which vehicles are impacted and how to stay in compliance.

View fact sheet

MORE DETAILS

Why is Oregon phasing out older diesel engines?

Even though diesel emission-reducing technology has improved in the last few decades, the state of Oregon is still seeing significant pollution from older on-road diesel engines. One method to reduce these harmful emissions includes the installation of appropriate retrofit technology. Retrofits are aftermarket systems that are installed on a vehicle to reduce pollution from diesel engines.

HB 2007 (2019)

In 2019, the Oregon Legislature responded to these concerns and passed HB 2007 (2019) to reduce diesel emissions in Oregon. The bill requires DEQ to approve retrofit systems for use in medium- and heavy-duty diesel engines, including box trucks and tractor trailers, and to create a method for issuing certifications of compliance.

It also establishes deadlines for older diesel engines after which they cannot be titled or registered in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties.

Lastly, the bill establishes renewal, registration, and titling phase-out dates, as well as exemptions on certain vehicles.

Which vehicles are affected by this program?

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with a 1996 or older engine model year are subject to the phase-out date of January 1st, 2023. That means they will not be able to be registered in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties without an approved retrofit emissions system.

The engine model year is on the vehicle emission label. Contact a local engine dealer or the manufacturer to get a replacement label if it’s missing or illegible. Typically, the engine model year is one year older than the chassis model year. For example, a 1997 vehicle typically has a 1996 model year engine installed.

The two vehicle weight classifications categorized in HB 2007 (2019) are:

Medium-duty with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,001 – 26,000 lbs. (box trucks, flatbeds, service trucks)
Heavy-duty with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 26,000 lbs. (tractor-trailer trucks)

How much does a retrofit cost?

Retrofits can cost a lot but there are ways that businesses and municipalities in Oregon can get help. HB 2007 (2019) authorized DEQ’s Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program to provide grant funding, subject to availability, to support the purchase of retrofit systems, as well as cleaner burning engines and diesel equipment replacements.

Vehicle owners who apply and are awarded the grant funding will be eligible for up to 100% of the retrofit cost. It’s estimated that DEQ will have approximately $8 million available each year until at least 2026.

How does the retrofit process work?

STEP 1: Contact DES Portland.

We have completed over 18,000 retrofits, so we know what we’re doing! We’ll go over what type of retrofit system is right for your vehicle and will get you in compliance with the state of Oregon. Our retrofit systems are EPA and CARB verified.

STEP 2: Retrofit installation & certification

We install your retrofit system, and you submit your application for DEQ certification. The certification shows that your retrofit meets their requirement of at least 85% reduction of emissions.

STEP 3: Registration

Once you receive your electronic DEQ certification, you can renew your registration with ODOT.

Don’t wait to begin the process! Scheduling your retrofit can take time, and DEQ can take up to three months to provide certification.

Key dates for 2023 for grant funding:

The estimated dates of the grant application and deadlines are below. These are subject to change based on the timing and availability of funds and the schedule of implementation tasks.

April 3, 2023: The grant program opens for applications.
~~June 6,~~ DEADLINE EXTENDED to JULY 6th, 2023: The grant program closes for applications.
Aug. 15, 2023: Grant awards announced.
Jan. 15, 2024: Funding for projects becomes available.

Graphic from Oregon DEQ Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program page

Get more information

To help Oregon’s diesel fleets navigate these new regulations, we’ve compiled as much helpful information as possible regarding Oregon’s numerous emission reduction programs and initiatives.

Get more info from our companion project page on Oregon Retrofit Compliance.

Learn about DEQ Oregon’s Grant program and how to get funding to improve your fleet’s emission reductions and bring those older diesel vehicles into compliance. Oregon Diesel Grants page.

Or feel free to contact Jeff Wells our Retrofit Manager at DES Portland for any of your retrofit-related questions.

Call 844-556-3150 or email info@des.direct

Do you have a medium- or heavy-duty diesel vehicle powered by a 2009 or older engine? Phase-out periods for these vehicles are also coming!

DES Portland can help you plan ahead for these additional regulations and vehicle restrictions arriving in both 2025 and 2029.

Diesel Emissions Services (DES) has successfully installed well over 15k retrofits in California and across the United States. Our Portland OR location has a complete DPF Cleaning facility and a full inventory of aftertreatment parts for servicing emissions systems. We have the equipment, expertise, and experienced retrofit installers for whatever you need.

We are honored to assist heavy-duty diesel fleets and equipment operators in the State of Oregon to help improve air quality and the environment for future generations.

We hope you found this article helpful. At DES, we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article, use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

We’re social, follow DES on your social network of choice.

More News

Get the latest on the industry and DES.

May 06

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Oregon’s One-Time Fleet Reporting blog - Featured

Oregon’s One-Time Fleet Reporting Requirement

By DES Tech News DES News, Emissions Industry Related

NEWS FLASH

Oregon’s One-Time Fleet Reporting Requirement – The deadline is fast approaching.

If you have a fleet in Oregon, you need to know about Oregon’s One-Time Fleet Reporting Requirement! You must complete the reporting form by June 30th, 2022, so read on to learn about the requirements and how to submit your form.

View fact sheet

MORE DETAILS

What is the One-time Fleet Reporting Requirement?

The one-time reporting requirement is for fleets and businesses that operate or direct the movement of on-road vehicles in Oregon. This applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 8,500 lbs., which includes most trucks, buses, and delivery vans.

Why do fleets need to report?

The one-time fleet reporting requirement is part of Oregon’s Clean Trucks Rule, adopted in November 2021. The rule was designed to lower emissions by encouraging manufacturers to sell more zero-emissions vehicles. By collecting data from fleets, the DEQ will better be able to create policies and recommendations to encourage lowering emissions.

Who is affected by the One-Time Fleet Reporting Requirement?

You must report if you are a fleet owner, business, government agency, municipality, or broker with on-road vehicles over 8,500 lbs. GVWR, if in 2021 your entity operated a facility in Oregon and meets any of the following criteria:

Had gross annual revenues greater than $50 million in the U.S. for the 2021 tax year, including revenues from all subsidiaries, subdivisions, or branches, and had one or more vehicles under common ownership or control that were operated in Oregon in 2021.

Oregon One-time Fleet Reporting 5 or more vehicles in fleet

Any fleet owner in the 2021 calendar year that had five or more vehicles under common ownership or control.
Any broker or entity that dispatched five or more vehicles into or throughout Oregon in the 2021 calendar year.
Any Oregon government agency, including all state and local municipalities, that had five or more vehicles that were operated in Oregon in 2021
Any federal government agency that had five or more vehicles that were operated in Oregon in 2021.

When is the One-Time Fleet Reporting form due?

Fleets must submit their reporting form by June 30, 2022. The form is an Excel document with three sheets of in-depth reporting information, so don’t wait until the last minute!

Where do I download the form?

Go to https://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/programs/Pages/mdhdreporting.aspx and download the reporting form. Once complete, email it to mhd.fleetrporting@deq.oregon.gov.

Get more information

Download the Fact Sheet and/or the Fleet Reporting booklet here >

You can access more info and details from the official Oregon One-Time Reporting page

Or feel free to contact Jeff Wells our Retrofit Manager at DES Portland

Call 844-556-3150 or email info@des.direct

Diesel Emissions Services (DES) has successfully installed well over 15k retrofits in California and across the United States. Our Portland OR location has a complete DPF Cleaning facility and a full inventory of aftertreatment parts for servicing emissions systems. We have the equipment, expertise, and experienced retrofit installers for whatever you need.

We are honored to assist heavy-duty diesel fleets and equipment operators in the State of Oregon to help improve air quality and the environment for future generations.

We hope you found this article helpful. At DES, we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article, use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

We’re social, follow DES on your social network of choice.

More News

Get the latest on the industry and DES.

Apr 06

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Informational Open House on Oregon’s Emissions Reduction Programs

By DES Tech News DES News, Emissions Industry Related

NEWS FLASH

In April we hosted a free, informational OPEN HOUSE. More to come…

Topic: How to Navigate Oregon’s Emissions Reduction Programs.

If your company or fleet operates older diesel vehicles/equipment in the State of Oregon, there are new regulations that will affect you, and grant programs that can provide assistance.

We understand that this can be a complex and challenging subject. This open house is designed to equip you with the information you need to move forward.

When: stay tuned for more information about upcoming events.

Where: Diesel Emissions Service, 9861 North Vancouver Way Portland, OR 97217

Open House OR Emissions Reduction programs

View flyer for more info

Retrofit questions? We can help.

Call: 844-556-3150

By email: info@des.direct

MORE DETAILS

Change is in the air for Oregon’s diesel truck fleets and equipment operators.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the City of Portland, and other localities are rolling out various programs and regulations related to reducing diesel emissions and improving air quality. These will impact many diesel fleets and equipment operators across the state.

We are here to help you navigate through these changes and opportunities. To that end, we are hosting an Open House event to help provide the information you need and get answers to your questions.

The free, no-obligation open house will be hosted at the Diesel Emissions Services (DES) location in Portland, OR at 9861 North Vancouver Way Portland, OR 97217.

The event takes place on April 26th, 2022. We are offering 2 sessions for you to choose from 2 PM and 6 PM.

We are looking to host more of these events to help equip Oregon’s fleets and diesel vehicle operators. Stay tuned. More updates to follow…

Who will be there?

Sean Edgar of CleanFleets will be the presenting industry professional. He will help explain the regulations & how to find the best path forward for your fleet. Sean is an expert on emissions compliance with years of experience helping fleets in California.

Meet our Retrofit Manager, Jeff Wells, and the DES team. Jeff is our in-state retrofit facilitator and contact person. He is based in Oregon to expressly help fleets and operators with installation questions, estimates, and pre-application assistance.

We have also invited representatives from OR DEQ & the City of Portland to be on hand to hear your concerns and answer your questions about the various programs and regulations.

What Topics & Programs will be Covered?

Some of the topics that you will learn more about are:

Important deadlines – learn about dates for getting your grant application in, compliance dates, etc.
Vehicles affected – find out more about which diesel vehicles are covered and which are exempt.
Grant assistance – there are funds available to help reimburse all or part of a vehicle replacement/retrofit with clean emissions technology.
Retrofit options – retrofitting a vehicle can extend its useful life while meeting new clean air standards.
Compliance Q & A – speak with someone about your compliance, retrofit, and timeline questions.

There are several programs and requirements that the Oregon DEQ and other state and local governing bodies are implementing now and in the coming years. These include:

Interested in Attending?

We would love to host as many people as possible at this event, but space is limited.

Please choose either the 2 PM or 6 PM session, and then RSVP to reserve your spot.

Call 844-556-3150 or email info@des.direct

Diesel Emissions Services (DES) has successfully installed well over 15k retrofits in California and across the United States. Our Portland OR location has a complete DPF Cleaning facility and a full inventory of aftertreatment parts for servicing emissions systems. We have the equipment, expertise, and experienced retrofit installers for whatever you need.

Cleanfleets is an environmental engineering company with proven results for diesel equipment owners facing costly compliance and maintenance issues. Clean Fleets offers quality, one-stop compliance solutions and provides emissions enforcement resolutions to the diesel equipment community.

We are honored to assist HD diesel fleets and equipment operators in the State of Oregon create better air quality and improving the environment for future generations.

We hope you found this article helpful. At DES, we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article, use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

We’re social, follow DES on your social network of choice.

More News

Get the latest on the industry and DES.

Dec 17

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Reducing Idling Reduces Costs

By DES Tech News Emissions Industry Related

Since its inception, Diesel Emissions Service has been helping fleets reduce their emissions. CEO Steve Hoke was recently interviewed on IDLE TALK with GoGreen Communications CEO Ron Zima. During the interview, they discussed the importance of reducing idle times for heavy-duty fleets, why they should, and the downstream costs associated with excessive idling.

According to Argonne National Laboratory, long-haul heavy-duty trucks consume more than a billion gallons of fuel per year just during rest stops; including work trucks and passenger cars, over six billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel combined are wasted on idling annually.

The topic of reducing idling behavior has been controversial in the heavy-duty industry. Large fleets use their resources to analyze idling costs, while smaller fleets can feel helpless. In addition, factors like city traffic, driver behavior, and municipal and off-road duty cycles further complicate the issue.

About DES and IDLE FREE for our kids® for Fleets

DES was established in 2006 as the emissions division of parent company North State Truck Equipment, Inc., which has been serving the heavy-duty truck market since 1978. DES was established to help California businesses meet and exceed the strict CARB and EPA emissions regulations placed on diesel trucks. Since 2006, DES has sold and/or installed over 15,000 emissions control devices and is now an industry leader in diesel emissions on the west coast and beyond.

Ron Zima was the classic North American idler, leaving the car running in his daily life. He believed it didn’t use much gas, and there was no harm in idling. However, a conversation with his children’s school principal led him to discover that idling not only wastes money and creates emissions, but also harms the health of adults and children alike. Ron started IDLE FREE for our kids® in 2006 and has since grown his company GoGreen Communications Inc. to include fleets across North America. With the IDLE FREE for our kids® for Fleets eLearning program, fleets can reduce idle time up to 80%.

Both Steve and Ron believe that going idle free is an easy way for fleets to save money and look like heroes to their customers.

Why Go Idle Free?

Reducing idle times has many benefits for fleets. Minimizing the time, the engine is running uses less fuel, and creates fewer emissions. What most fleets don’t realize, however, is that excessive idling has major downstream costs besides these. Both DES and GoGreen encourage fleets to reduce their idle times for big rewards.

In the past, much of the argument for going idle free relied on guilt and shame, as the transportation industry is one of the highest carbon emitters. However, IDLE FREE for our kids® for Fleets relies on winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of drivers. Greater than 80% of the time, drivers flip their old beliefs and behaviors on idling an engine. At home and at work!

But Isn’t Idling Good for the Engine?

There is a pervasive myth among diesel drivers that idling is good for the engine. However, “diesel-powered engines hate idling,” Ron said in the interview. Steve explained further that “the diesel engine is at its dirtiest at startup… the second dirtiest [is] idle time.” Manufacturers design the emissions control system to work best when the engine is in motion with a load. This myth leads to thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs.

Downstream Costs of Driver Idling Behavior

Idling increases wear and tear on the engine, thereby accelerating the maintenance schedule and increasing the risk of expensive repairs. Steve shared an infographic during the interview consisting of data gathered by the American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC).

The average cost of a heavy-duty emissions repair is $514.
The average cost of a roadside breakdown is $448 through $760.
Fleets average 213,967 miles between emissions failures.
A fleet with 500 trucks spends $27k a month on emissions repairs, up 1837% from pre-2010 numbers.

These statistics show that reducing emissions system repairs by reducing idle time is an easy cost-saving measure for fleets.

Savings From Going Idle Free

“Idle time is a proxy for productivity,” Steve commented. If a truck isn’t moving, it’s not making money for the fleet. Factoring in idle time means that during the colder months or during city driving, idle time could be drastically cutting into profits. Reducing idle times by even a small percentage can increase a fleet’s profit margin.

In addition, by increasing the maintenance interval, fleets can reduce the amount of downtime per truck. In most parts of the country, a DPF cleaning service takes about 24 hours, during which time the truck is out of service. Lowering idle time is a great way to get more in-service time from each truck.

Much of the idle reduction efforts in the heavy-duty industry have centered around larger fleets. Large fleets can use advanced and expensive hardware to monitor idle time across the fleet, but this may be out of reach for some smaller fleets. A more cost-effective way for these smaller fleets to reduce idle time is to change the behavior of drivers.

IDLE FREE for our kids® for Fleets eLearning Program

IDLE FREE for our kids® for Fleets consists of short, engaging, unforgettable videos and interactive lessons and the popular IDLE FREE Calculator that can be accessed anywhere in the world on a computer or smartphone. The curriculum transforms driver behavior by using GoGreen’s three universal values in terms of the impact of their unconscious idling habit on: ‘their kids, their cars, their cash’. Drivers love the program! They save fuel and emissions in their personal vehicles and then bring their idle free behavior to work, often thanking management for the program! Steve recommended the course for all drivers and fleets across the country.

Won’t Electric Vehicles Solve the Problem?

When will EVs replace heavy-duty trucks? Longer than 40 years from now, says Steve, due to electric vehicles not having the range, torque, and horsepower of diesel engines, as well as limited charging station availability. And while electric vehicles might seem like the answer to emission problems, their eco-friendliness may be outweighed by the production and use of lithium batteries. Time will tell, but for now, reducing idle time is one of the most cost-effective ways for fleets to lower emissions and save on fuel.

Reducing Your Fleet’s Idle Time

If advanced idle-tracking and battery-backup systems aren’t in your fleet’s budget, an eLearning course like IDLE FREE for our kids® for Fleets will encourage your drivers to reduce idle times. Fleet maintenance managers can also discover the lower maintenance costs associated with going idle-free. Finally, the entire business will thrive when less idling leads to higher profits.

Find out more about the course at goidlefree.com.

Go IDLE FREE

Have questions about the DPF cleaning schedule that’s right for your fleet?

Head over to dieselemissionsservice.com/contact.

At DES we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses across the West Coast.

Diesel Emissions Service (DES) is a division of North State Truck Equipment Inc, a family-owned business, who has been providing bus and truck repair solutions since 1978. In 2006, we started focusing on diesel aftertreatment retrofits (DPFs, DOCs, SCRs), troubleshooting, repair, and services to help customers in applying the correct technology for compliance with the growing clean-air regulations. Since that time, we have sold and installed more than 18,000 aftertreatment devices across the country.

We have two locations in California as well as facilities in Portland, Oregon, and Surrey (Vancouver), British Columbia. DES offers a full line of DPFs and DPF accessories through the Redline Emissions Products® brand – including DPFs, DOCs, clamps, gaskets, weld bungs, CACs, sensors, etc. at our online superstore. We also carry brands like Durafit, Skyline, GESI, Redline Detection, Filtertherm®, and more.

If you would like to schedule an appointment for your commercial truck, contact us today.

We’re social, to stay informed follow DES on any or all of these platforms.

More News

Get the latest on the industry and DES.

Nov 12

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Diesel Pickups & Motorhomes can be exempt from CARB Truck & Bus Regulation!

By DES Tech News Emissions Industry Related

Diesel Pickups & Motorhomes Can be Exempt from CARB Truck & Bus Regulation

Truck owners in the state of California are concerned about the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation on medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles. In the last decade, the state has introduced regulations for diesel vehicles in order to reduce pollution. However, the law is complex and can be hard to understand. Reading through CARB’s complex, multi-page document to see if it applies to you is certainly cumbersome. At DES, our focus is to help our customers implement retrofits/upgrades to meet CARB emissions regulations.

We sometimes get customers with CARB emissions regulation questions – which we answer if we can. However, if we don’t know the answer, we know someone who does.

A while back a customer reached out to ask whether the CARB Truck and Bus Regulation applies to them. A DES employee shared this story about that customer interaction:

“Bill called me in a panic because last year he purchased a spotless 2006 F-450 pickup truck to tow his RV.”

“This morning, he read an article about the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation on medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks”.

When the customer read about the CARB regulations, he started to panic. According to the article, he was looking at thousands of dollars of repairs, just to keep driving his new-to-him pickup truck.

Many Californian truck owners are having the same reaction. According to the CARB’s overview sheet, larger pickups and even RVs would need a new engine or a retrofitted aftertreatment system to become compliant.

Let’s dive into the regulation to see if this is true for all diesel vehicles in California.

CARB Regulations for Older Vehicles with Diesel Engines

The CARB “Truck and Bus Regulation Compliance Requirement Overview” document states that diesel vehicles over 14,000 pounds can no longer be legally registered after January 1^st, 2023 or earlier without a 2010 or newer engine or an equivalent aftertreatment system.

The purpose of the new regulation is to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter, NOx, and other pollutants from the use of diesel-powered vehicles. Therefore, the regulation states that diesel vehicles must reduce their emissions, either with a modern engine or an emissions system that will filter out these harmful substances. The deadline is dependent on the vehicle’s engine model year and weight class.

According to the CARB website, the published schedule shows that any 2004-2006 diesel truck can no longer be used in California after January 1^st, 2021, due to not being in compliance with emissions regulations. Trucks like this would either need a new engine or a DPF retrofit if they wanted to remain in use.

“When Bill called us inquiring about the price of a retrofit, as you can imagine, he was not in a good mood.”

The CARB Truck and Bus Diesel Emissions Regulation on medium and heavy-duty diesel engines discusses various retrofit options and replacement schedules, which are listed in the overview sheet below.

CARB Truck and Bus Regulation Compliance Requirement Overview. Last updated: November 30, 2018.

To see the original document published on the CARB website – click here

When it comes to commercial fleets of heavy-duty diesel vehicles, manufacturers and fleet managers have been aware that regulatory deadlines are coming. DES has been servicing commercial vehicles for 15 years, keeping their emissions systems working smoothly. Customers like Bill found the right place for information on retrofits and emissions control systems.

With the right assistance and experienced help, these costs can be avoided.

Exemptions for Private Vehicles Not Clearly Stated

“Everything Bill discovered seemed true for the engines and trucks by both weight class and year,” we discovered, “but there are also a few CARB truck exemptions to the regulation, which are not as easy to find.”

The exemptions are designed to help those with personal vehicles which are not used for commercial or government use.

Nowhere in the overview document published by CARB does it touch on these exemptions for private use vehicles. Thankfully, here at DES we have read the fine print and found these exemptions for some California customers.

Not all truck and RV owners need to comply with the January 1st, 2021 deadline.

After combing through the regulatory code, we found two exemptions for truck and RV users:

California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Division 3, Chapter 1, Article 4.5, section 2025(c)(10) and (12).

Section 2025(c) are the list of “EXEMPTIONS” to the regulation and lines (10) and (12) read as follows:

(10) Motor homes for non-commercial Private use;

(12) ”Trucks with a GVWR of 19,500 lbs or less with a pick-up bed used exclusively for personal, non-commercial, or non-governmental use; and”

This states that both diesel-powered motor homes and diesel-powered pick-up trucks are exempt from the regulation when used for personal use. The CARB regulation is geared mainly toward commercial and government diesel vehicles.

Thankfully, those with personal pickup trucks and RVs will be spared the expense of a retrofit or new engine, for now.

New Regulations Are Expected

2027 is the next significant date where new regulations are anticipated for commercial vehicles. Only time will tell what the regulations will be for privately owned vehicles. We recommend staying up to date with CARB regulations by keeping up with DES industry news articles.

While we can help you find information about regulations, employees at Diesel Emissions Service are NOT consultants and it is always best to check with CARB directly before making your final decision on emissions regulations actions.

They can be reached at (866) 6DIESEL or arb.ca.gov.

Diesel Emissions Service (DES) was established in 2006 to help California businesses meet the strict CARB and EPA emissions regulations placed on diesel trucks. Since then, we have expanded to become an industry leader in diesel emissions on the west coast and throughout the U.S. and Canada. We manufacture and sell DPFs and accessories, as well as clean, service, and retrofit DPF filters. We also have one of the largest replacement OEM inventories in North America. We strive to be knowledgeable and helpful to diesel truck owners in California and beyond.

We hope you found this article about CARB truck exemptions helpful. At DES believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers, but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

Diesel Emissions Service (DES) is a division of North State Truck Equipment Inc, a family-owned business, who has been providing bus and truck repair solutions since 1978. In 2006, we started focusing on diesel aftertreatment retrofits (DPFs, DOCs, SCRs), troubleshooting, repair, and services to help customers in applying the correct technology for compliance with the growing clean-air regulations. Since that time we have installed more than 15,000 retrofits across the country.

We have four locations in California as well as facilities in Portland, Oregon and Surrey (Vancouver), British Columbia. DES offers a full line of DPFs and DPF accessories through the Redline Emissions Products® brand – including DPFs, DOCs, clamps, gaskets, weld bungs, CACs, sensors, etc at our online superstore. We also carry brands like Durafit, Skyline, Filtertherm® and more.

We’re social, to stay informed follow DES on any or all of these platforms.

More News

Get the latest on the industry and DES.

Oct 19

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How to Contain Diesel Emissions Costs?

By DES Tech News Emissions Industry Related

Fleets that operate, maintain, and repair commercial trucks have many expenses. One expense that consistently ranks in the top is diesel emissions systems. Learn how to contain emissions costs.

How to Contain Diesel Emissions costs hero image

When diesel emissions systems were first introduced in 2007 and updated in 2010, vehicle owners relied on the manufacturers’ recommendations. Their costs skyrocketed and this led to a lot of frustration on the part of vehicle owners, especially in the commercial fleet business.

Changing Maintenance Practices to Lower Costs

As time has passed commercial fleets gained more real-world experience with these systems. Fleets are now able to use their own data, as well as data from repair centers like ours, to align maintenance intervals with the everyday working environments their trucks operate in.

Instead of using manufacturers’ recommendations that are really for ideal scenarios and don’t reflect the realities of what their fleets are dealing with on a day-to-day basis, fleets are able to make their own decisions based on solid data.

Jack Roberts wrote an article for HDT about this in 2019, and he quoted some of the fleets’ comments about how they have contained emissions costs. These comments illustrate the importance of adjusting maintenance practices to control costs and basing maintenance and repair decisions on real-world data.

“…We really don’t have a lot of problems with exhaust systems today, generally speaking. But we used to. And the reason we don’t have them today is that we are fundamentally changing our thinking and our procedures to address the problem.”

changing thinking and procedures diesel emissions servicing

“…Batesville, too, is unhitching itself from the OEM recommendations on exhaust maintenance. After investing big money in a DPF cleaning machine, he says, his technicians discovered that if they waited until 300,000 or 400,000 miles to pull the filter and clean it, as recommended by the OEMs, carbon was packed so tightly into the unit that the entire exercise was pointless. Today, he says, his technicians routinely pull DPFs every 100,000 miles for cleanings, which has helped with both maintenance costs and fleet fuel economy averages.”

Addressing Upstream Issues

The other key shift in thinking is to look at the big picture of why emissions issues are happening in the first place. Checking upstream for fluid and exhaust leaks and other issues is vital to avoiding the same emissions failures from just returning which causes more downtime and drives up the total cost of operation.

This quote from the HDT article really emphasizes the point about upstream issues:

“Everything runs downstream, but too many fleets and dealers just replace a part that’s failed and never bother to trace the problem upstream to find out if the problem is being caused by a seemingly unrelated issue.”

trace diesel emissions problems upstream

Many fleets make the mistake of treating the exhaust system as if it’s a self-contained entity that is somehow separate from the rest of the engine. It is not, rather issues with the components in the diesel emissions system are often just the symptom of a problem, not the root cause. Throwing replacement parts at the symptom never addresses the root cause and this strategy leads to much higher repair and maintenance costs in the long term.

A Comprehensive Maintenance Plan

At the Diesel Emissions Service repair shops, we have been performing emissions cleanings and repairs for 15+ years, and our experience agrees with what these fleet managers have discovered.

DES recommends that DPF filters be cleaned yearly or every 75-100k miles. This regular cleaning interval of the diesel particulate filter, which is a serviceable filter and does not need to be replaced every time, keeps the filter from being clogged with soot and ash triggering a fault code putting the vehicle into a derate or limp mode. It will also ensure that the volumetric efficiency of the DPF will keep back pressure to a minimum.

DPFs should be cleaned yearly or every 100k miles

We also focus on getting to the bottom of an issue and evaluating upstream systems based on years of operating full-service diesel repair facilities. You can’t just clean the DPF or replace a diesel particulate filter and expect that the problem is solved without addressing the root cause of the problem.

We recommend that when the DPF is removed for cleaning an opacity test is completed, this will give a quick snapshot of any upstream engine upset conditions. This is key as when the DPF is installed you won’t see any smoke coming out the tailpipe until the DPF has failed.

Large fleet operations can also benefit from having their own cleaning equipment while tracking their emissions metrics and adjusting cleaning/maintenance intervals to their situation. This can drastically cut costs and downtime. With Filtertherm’s new Aqueous DPF Cleaning package, truck downtime can be minimal with DPF services taking under 2 hours to remove, inspect, wash, dry, inspect and re-install. This is a gamechanger for fleets.

Education is an Important Part of Lowering Emissions Costs

At DES we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses across the West Coast.

Diesel Emissions Service (DES) is a division of North State Truck Equipment Inc, a family-owned business, who has been providing bus and truck repair solutions since 1978. In 2006, we started focusing on diesel aftertreatment retrofits (DPFs, DOCs, SCRs), troubleshooting, repair, and services to help customers in applying the correct technology for compliance with the growing clean-air regulations. Since that time, we have sold and installed more than 18,000 aftertreatment devices across the country.

We have two locations in California as well as facilities in Portland, Oregon, and Surrey (Vancouver), British Columbia. DES offers a full line of DPFs and DPF accessories through the Redline Emissions Products® brand – including DPFs, DOCs, clamps, gaskets, weld bungs, CACs, sensors, etc. at our online superstore. We also carry brands like Durafit, Skyline, GESI, Redline Detection, Filtertherm®, and more.

If you would like to schedule an appointment for your commercial truck, contact us today.

We’re social, to stay informed follow DES on any or all of these platforms.

More News

Get the latest on the industry and DES.

Sep 08

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How to Clean a Diesel Particulate Filter?

By DES Tech News DES Tech Tips, Emissions Industry Related

The diesel particulate filter is the place where soot and ash collect in your diesel emissions system. If you don’t clean your DPF regularly, it can cost you thousands of dollars in unscheduled downtime and repairs.

Why Do DPFs Need to Be Cleaned?

A DPF (diesel particulate filter) filter is designed to catch & oxidize soot (unburned fuel/lube oil) and turn it into ash. The ash is pushed to the back of the filter and stored there.

Over time it builds up and requires removal. With the cost of some new DPFs soaring to over $7000, routine maintenance is key in all aspects of the DPF. Being proactive in your service intervals will decrease downtime, service expenses and increase proper system operation and profit.

Thus, it’s important to regularly clean and maintain your filters, not only to preserve the functionality of the filter but to save on fuel and protect your engine.

OEM Regeneration

In a perfect world, DPF filters perform their regeneration cycles on the truck. But we don’t live in a perfect world. Excessive idling, cold & severe duty cycles, even a broken exhaust pipe can inhibit regeneration on the truck. History has proven regeneration alone will not deliver consistent results and regular cleaning of DPFs is required.

Also, most leading after-market manufacturers require a baking cycle in addition to de-ashing to properly clean their systems. DES takes the guesswork out of DPF cleaning and maintenance to give you consistent results, every time.

What You Need to Know About DPF Cleaning

There are two primary ways to clean a diesel particulate filter.

Thermal

The thermal cleaning process is also commonly referred to as “bake and blow” and involves baking the DPF filter in an oven which oxidizes the soot and using air to force the ash out of the filter.

Aqueous

This is a process that uses a surfactant to surround the ash particles to make it easy for water to wash the ash out of the substrate of the DPF. The DPF is then dried in a special drying cabinet and can be ready to be reinstalled in about 2-hours with the correct equipment.

How to Clean a DPF at Home?

It is not recommended to try to clean your DPF at home.

We’ve heard of stories of vehicle owners using cleaners and a pressure washer, but this will not clean the filter properly and is more likely to damage it and require the diesel particulate filter to be replaced.

How Often to Clean a DPF Filter?

The vocation you work in with your commercial truck is the most important factor in deciding when you should clean your diesel particulate filter. If you do mostly highway driving and are carrying full loads you can go much longer between cleanings than someone who does a lot of starting and stopping or working off road.

The reason for this is that regeneration of the DPF filter is more effective when the truck is operating at higher temperatures. These higher temperatures are achieved when driving at highway speeds and pulling full loads. Trucks that do more stop-and-start type work never get up to the temperatures required for a proper regeneration of the DPF.

Therefore we recommend that most trucks with diesel emissions systems get their DPFs cleaned every 75,000 to 100,000 miles or once a year whichever comes first. This prevents the ash from becoming so hardened that it is difficult to remove. If you delay this regular cleaning of the diesel particulate filter you increase the chances that a replacement diesel particulate filter will be required.

How Much Does It Cost to Clean a DPF Filter?

The average cost for just a DPF cleaning is between $250 and $400 if the vehicle owner removes the DPF filter, drops the DPF filter off and picks the DPF up at the cleaning facility, and reinstalls it on the vehicle.

If our shop completes the removal and replacement, we charge on average one hour at our shop labor rate. On average the DPF cleaning cost, including removal, and reinstalling the DPF, will be between $400 and $650.

Who Cleans DPF Filters Near Me?

Owner-operators, fleets, municipalities, and construction companies that want to have their DPF cleaned in Redding or Sacramento, California, Portland, Oregon, or Vancouver, British Columbia should contact Diesel Emissions Service.

We use our Filtertherm® DPF line of cleaning equipment which includes Aqueous (liquid) and Thermal methods, plus our rigorous 8-Step Cleaning  Process to give you consistent results, every time. Regularly maintaining your aftertreatment system and getting your DPF cleaned is part of an overall strategy that will help you to lower your total cost of operation.

To schedule a time to get your DPF cleaned phone us at 1-844-556-3150 or you can email us.

At Diesel Emissions Service our focus is mainly on serving fleets & municipalities in California, Oregon, and British Columbia, if you need comprehensive aftertreatment maintenance, DPF cleaning, retrofits, and/or repair service, contact us today.

We hope you found this article helpful. At DES, we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article, use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

We’re social, follow DES on your social network of choice.

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What You Need to Know About the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst on a Diesel Engine

By DES Tech News DES Tech Tips, Emissions Industry Related

Since 2006, Diesel Emissions Service has been servicing commercial equipment with aftertreatment systems. There are four components of the aftertreatment system, which is also referred to as the diesel emissions system. It is important that whoever is performing maintenance and repairs on your aftertreatment system understands how the four components of the system work. Over the years we have received several questions specifically about the DOC that we wanted to answer in this article.

What Does the DOC Stand for in Diesel Engines?

The DOC in a diesel engine stands for Diesel Oxidation Catalyst.

Understanding the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)

The DOC is designed to convert carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water. It essentially breaks down pollutants in the exhaust system from a diesel engine which helps reduce particulate matter.

How it works:

The exhaust flows straight through the DOC substrate with very little restriction. In the aftertreatment system, there is a hydrocarbon dosing system where fuel is dosed at a specific temperature; the fuel turns into a vapor and that vapor starts the chemical reaction which produces heat. The ECM has a thermal management system where it maintains that heat and this process allows the diesel particulate filter to operate at peak performance.

Can the DOC be Cleaned like a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)?

Yes, anytime the DPF is removed for cleaning, the DOC should be removed, inspected, and cleaned as well. It is recommended to follow the same cleaning method as the DPF. When technicians see a DPF fault code many times they will focus on cleaning the DPF but leave the DOC in place. This is a mistake because the DOC is a flow-through device. Therefore, what is in the filter has passed through the DOC and it should be cleaned as well. If the DOC is not clear, it can become face plugged and this is part of a bigger problem that needs to be diagnosed.

Why Does a DOC Fail?

DOCs are coated with precious metals and over time these deteriorate causing the DOC to fail. The DOC has no moving parts, resulting in it having a long lifecycle. Therefore 80% of DOC and DPF failures are premature due to engine-related issues.

The DOC has one job, which is to create heat for soot oxidation, but if the engine is not running properly because of bad injectors or a turbo issue, or the aftertreatment system is not operating properly due to exhaust leaks or a leaking hydrocarbon doser, the DOC will fail prematurely. We will see DOC contamination which in turn could poison the DOC and cause DOC face plugging.

What is DOC Face Plugging?

Face plugging is an extreme buildup of carbon on the inlet side of your DOC. This extreme buildup causes additional exhaust backpressure and restricts exhaust flow, which hinders the performance of the DPF and SCR downstream.

The Key to Aftertreatment System Maintenance

Regardless of what component of the aftertreatment system you are working on, the most important thing you need to remember about aftertreatment system maintenance is this:

“Upstream problems in the system are often the cause of downstream failures.”

It is so important to look at the entire aftertreatment system when diagnosing problems, but beyond that, it is equally important to look at the other engine systems as well.

At Diesel Emissions Service our focus is mainly on fleets in California, Oregon, and British Columbia, if you require a comprehensive aftertreatment maintenance, DPF cleaning, and repair service, contact us today.

We hope you found this article helpful. At DES, we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article, use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

We’re social, follow DES on your social network of choice.

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UPDATE: The window for 2023 grant applications in Oregon is from April 3 to June 6, 2023.

If you own a medium or heavy-duty commercial vehicle with a diesel engine, the state of Oregon is offering a grant program that may affect you. There are millions of dollars in funding available, but to benefit you need to act quickly!

What You Need to Know!

Owners of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles with diesel engines in the State of Oregon are eligible for a grant that will pay for a retrofit on their vehicles. This is an exciting opportunity to reduce the harmful diesel emissions your vehicle emits.

This program is funded by the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust, a settlement that is designed to reduce emissions from older, more polluting medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks and equipment currently operating in Oregon.

Again, the dates for submitting your 2023 grant applications are April 3 to June 6, DEADLINE EXTENDED to JULY 6th, 2023. It can be a process, don’t wait to get your vehicle(s) assessed and the paperwork completed.

In a video provided by the Oregon DEQ, they described why this program is so important:

“The goal of the Oregon DEQ is to establish a transparent and accessible program that measurably reduces diesel emissions in Oregon in the places where it is needed most.”

There is approximately $40 million dollars left in the fund and the plan is to spend $8 million a year over 5-years until all the funds have been spent. This funding is for public sector projects and if your vehicle is eligible will cover 100% of the exhaust control retrofit.

Which Vehicles Qualify for the Program?

Eligibility has been established by the Oregon DEQ and is focused on vehicles that have older diesel engines. These are generally vehicles that pre-date modern diesel emissions systems that have since been mandated by the EPA.

Eligible Commercial Vehicles:

Eligible trucks would be 1992-2009 engine year models.

Eligible buses would be 2009 or older, class 4-8, and a GVWR greater than 14,000 lbs and used for transporting people.

Eligible diesel equipment would be one in the following categories: large trucks, buses, freight switchers, ferries and tugs, medium trucks, airport ground support equipment, forklifts, or port cargo handling equipment.

An eligible Off-Road vehicle means a diesel engine of more than 25 horsepower that is not designed to propel a motor vehicle on public highways.

There is a short window of time to apply for grants in 2023. Oregon DEQ is accepting 2023 grants for diesel-powered vehicles between April 3 and June 6, EXTENDED to JULY 6th, 2023.

Why Should You Get a Retrofit Done?

The following information was taken from Oregon.gov.

HB 2007 establishes deadlines, after which certain older model, diesel engine vehicles cannot be titled or registered in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties unless they meet retrofit requirements.

The gross vehicle weight rating for diesel vehicles categorized in HB 2007 are:

Medium-duty (14,000 – 26,000 lbs.)

Heavy-duty (>26,000 lbs.)

Gross vehicle weight rating means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a single or a combination vehicle.

The engine model years and deadlines for registration of approved retrofit options are:

Jan. 1, 2023: Publicly and privately owned medium- and heavy-duty trucks with an engine model year 1996 or older cannot be registered

Jan. 1, 2025: Medium-duty trucks with an engine model year 2009 or older cannot be titled and heavy-duty trucks with an engine model year 2006 or older cannot be titled.

We Will Take You Step-by-Step Through the Process

Diesel Emissions Service is your partner for the application process. We’ve sent additional personnel to our location in Oregon to help you navigate the grant application process, provide vehicle evaluations and estimates for the retrofits.

With over 18,000 emission control devices installed by our expert teams, we know retrofits. We can assist in choosing the right retrofit for your application, then our professional installation crews will install the system to ensure peak performance and durability.

There are 4 steps you need to take:

Step 1: Contact DES to schedule an appointment. Our phone number is 1-844-556-3150 or you can email us.

Step 2: We will perform a Pre-Assessment and install a data logger on each vehicle you want to apply for the grant with.

Step 3: Complete the data/forms required by the Oregon DEQ.

Step 4: Once data logging is complete, we will give you a quote to submit with your application package.

NOTE: The window for 2023 grant applications is April 3 to June 6, EXTENDED to JULY 6th, 2023. Don’t wait to get started – these things take time.

Take the First Step

Owner-operators, fleets, municipalities, and construction companies looking to apply for these funds should contact Diesel Emissions Service and schedule a call or site visit to help with the application phase.

Again our phone number is:

Or you can email us.

Visit our Oregon Grant page for more information on the application process.

We hope you found this article helpful. At DES, we believe in putting out educational and informative content to not only our customers but for the general industry to grow and benefit from.

To share this article, use one of the social media icons above.

DES is a recognized leader in the diesel emissions industry. We provide a wide range of services for municipalities, fleet operators, and all manner of transportation and construction businesses all across the west coast.

We’re social, follow DES on your social network of choice.

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What you need to know about the Clean Air Construction Program

Breaking Down Oregon’s Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program

Oregon’s One-Time Fleet Reporting Requirement

Retrofit assessment vouchers now available

The Clean Air Construction (CAC) Program.

Public agencies in the Portland Metro Area have partnered together to reduce diesel emissions from construction projects through the Clean Air Construction (CAC) Program. These emissions reductions will be accomplished in 2 ways:

1. Enacting idle reduction procedures on construction sites. A phase-in schedule that restricts older diesel engines from operating onsite, requiring retrofit or upgrades for non-compliant equipment.

2. This regional program requires contractors on applicable projects to register equipment online. Compliance with the CAC requirements is verified in several ways, including onsite audits.

There are various state grant programs available to assist with the costs of retrofitting your older diesel construction vehicles. CAC also offers free technical assistance to small firms and COBID-certified contractors

Learn more about CAC requirements on the program web page, and contact cleanairconstruction@portlandoregon.gov to learn if the CAC standards impact your work.

Participating in reducing diesel particulate matter emissions will provide Portland residents with better air quality, eliminate potential noncompliance fines, and see the real-time results of your efforts.

CAC Phase-In Schedule

The phase-in schedule describes requirements for all diesel-powered nonroad construction equipment greater than 25 horsepower and all on-road dump trucks and concrete mixers used on public construction projects.

All equipment working on a CAC project will need to be registered in CAC’s online compliance database, The Yard.

Schedule Your Fleet Assessment Today!

The City of Portland is offering free fleet assessments and compliance plans for COBID-certified and small firms in light of the Clean Air Construction Standard (CAC) requirements that went into effect on January 1, 2022.

Support You’ll Receive

Review of equipment and vehicles that are subject to the CAC regulations

A compliance plan that indicates the date by which your equipment can be used on a CAC site, and which equipment can be upgraded for extended compliance

An inventory of equipment that will help you meet CAC requirements, including registration in the CAC database

Most of the information needed to apply for future grant opportunities.

GET MORE INFO & ASSISTANCE

CAC Retrofit Assessment Voucher Program

Who can apply for a retrofit assessment voucher?

COBID-certified or small construction firms that currently perform work as a subcontractor or a prime contractor with an agency in the Clean Air Construction Collaborative may apply.

A voucher provided by the Clean Air Construction Program covers the cost of the retrofit assessment.

What does the retrofit assessment provide?

An assessment is the first step to determine if engine retrofit is a suitable solution for a particular vehicle/piece of equipment. If a retrofit is suitable, a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) may be recommended, and associated costs will be outlined.

In some cases, the assessment may find that retrofit is not suitable. If this is the case, the Clean Air Construction program will help you identify other compliance pathways.

Who conducts the retrofit assessment?

How do I request a retrofit assessment voucher?

To request a voucher send an email to: cleanairconstruction@portlandoregon.gov

In the email, please include:

Public agencies in the Portland Metro Area have partnered together to reduce diesel emissions from construction projects through the Clean Air Construction (CAC) Program.
These emissions reductions will be accomplished in 2 ways: