New Tough Emissions Standards Target Truckers

Reported By: Ariel Wesler

Some big changes down the road for Big rigs. A new law will require them to reduce diesel emissions by 85 percent, costing thousands of dollars in filters and cleaner engines. For truckers, the timing couldn't be worse.

"It's outrageous, I mean, what are they trying to do to the little guy because the big guy's going to be the only one who can afford it," said Bennie Dobson of Battle Creek, Michigan.

Dobson's been trucking for 25 years. He's all for clean air, but wonders where do the changes end?

"We have families. We have mortgages, you know. It just seems like each year it's getting worse. Each year, they find something new to try and dig in our pockets," he said.

On the other side, local environmental groups say while we may not notice it along the Central Coast,

"Somewhere like the LA basin or the Central Valley, San Joaquin Valley, there's a lot worse air pollution as well as a lot more health problems," said Michael Chiacos with the Community Environmental Council in Santa Barbara.

The state plans to gradually phase in the restrictions and offer one billion dollars in low interests loans and grants to help with the transition. Around one million trucks and buses will have to be retrofitted or replaced statewide.

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