The
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles will begin enforcing stricter
opacity standards on exhaust from heavy-duty diesel trucks Jan. 1,
2003, according to a statement. The standards apply in all counties
to all trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least
8,500 pounds.
The
department says the new limits are more in line with the Environmental
Protection Agency's opacity standards, recommended by most neighboring
states. The Nevada State Environmental Commission adopted the
tiered limits in October, but the state DMV had issued only verbal
courtesy warnings through the end of the year.
The
department says its goal is voluntary compliance. Fines are waived
on a first offense if the vehicle is repaired within 45 days.
Exhaust
from trucks with engines manufactured in 1991 or later must block
no more than 40 percent of the light passing through it. Engines made
between 1977 and 1990 are held to a standard of 55 percent opacity.
Engines made between 1970 and 1976 must meet an opacity standard of
70 percent.
Engine
families exempted by the California Air Resources Board are also exempt
in Nevada. Previously, all trucks with engines 1977 or newer were
held to the 70 percent standard.
The
department conducts random testing at weigh stations and on the roadside.
For more information, visit the Nevada DMV Web site at www.dmvnv.com.
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