First Name | Dan |
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Last Name | Scanlan |
Email Address | dscanlan@autoreturn.com |
Affiliation | AutoReturn-SF Municipal Tow co. |
Subject | diesel truck emissions regulations |
Comment | I would like to weigh in on this topic as my position and experience in the towing and automotive industry provides perspective on the prior, current, and future ramnifications of the proposed regulations. As one of the founders of AutoReturn, the current contract holder for all of the municipal towing in San Francisco I am aware of the (additional) costs the proposed regulations will have. However I grew up in the towing and automotive repair business (in SF CA), and witnessed first hand the effects of similar regulations as they were applied to passnger cars. Back in the 60's and 70's I was strongly against the emission regulations. Their initial affect hurt performance and economy, and raised the cost of purchase, maintenance and repair of cars. However it did not appear to be a battle that could be won, and I became an automotive technician, and obtained a license to perform smog checks. During the 80s and especially the 90s, things changed. With the technology that was developed, cars regained lost performance and fuel economy. While many older cars are remembered fondly for their style, anyone with automotive knowledge will agree that modern automobiles perform far better in every respect, while emitting a small fraction of what pre 70s cars did. For those in the know the hot tip is to put modern drivelines in vintage cars for the best of both worlds. I am still no fan on CARB; it is an inefficient organization that can be inflexible to creative solutions that are not vetted by their approved processes. However I do support the proposed truck and diesel engine emissions regulations. Unfortunately I am in the minority with my opinion within my industry. Yes there will be some increased costs initially, but if history repeats itself as so often is the case; the long term benefits will show that these regulations like those imposed decades ago for passenger cars were the driving force for the needed change. My mind was changed witnessing the improvements to automobiles through the years. |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2010-12-10 10:39:35 |
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