LANGLEY, B.C. — The British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA) says the Ministry of Environment’s decision to end its AirCare program for passenger cars and light trucks in the Lower Mainland shouldn’t cause heavy-duty trucks to become a new emissions target.

The AirCare program – launched in 1992 to address the deteriorating air quality of the Lower Fraser Valley – will be phased out by December 2014.

“Shifting AirCare to target heavy trucks is unnecessary. There are already checks and balances in place for diesel engines and fuel that are achieving impressive results in reducing emissions on their own,” says Louise Yako, BCTA’s president and CEO.

BCTA officials point to the continuously improved emissions standards and testing for diesel engines over the past two decades.

“In fact,” Yako says, “testing of emissions from the newest engine is so precise that even a fingerprint on the filter paper placed over the exhaust pipe causes the test to be rejected.”

BCTA says it, “Welcomes the opportunity to consult on any changes to the AirCare program that apply to the trucking industry, but says the provincial government should weigh the costs of imposing additional fees on an industry that is already toeing the line on air quality issues via technological advancements, stringent standards, and existing regulations.”