title
Zero Emission Vehicle Exemption Request - Deputy Director Riske-Gomez
end
Requested Action(s)
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 01-2026 Authorizing the Submittal of a Zero-Emission Bus Purchase Exemption Request Pursuant to the Innovative Clean Transit Regulation, authorizing the Executive Director, or designee, to advance a request to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for an exemption from Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) purchase requirements under Title 13, California Code of Regulations ?2023.4(c).
body
Financial Impact:
None at this time.
Adoption of the resolution does not commit the Agency to vehicle procurement or infrastructure investment. Approval preserves TRAX's ability to replace vehicles using conventional propulsion where zero-emission alternatives are not currently feasible, thereby avoiding unplanned capital and operational costs.
Background Information:
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Regulation to transition all public transit fleets to zero-emission buses by 2040. Beginning in upcoming procurement cycles, the regulation requires transit agencies to purchase zero-emission buses unless an exemption applies.
The ICT Regulation explicitly allows Small Transit Agencies to request exemptions from zero-emission bus purchase requirements when specific conditions exist, including infrastructure delays, operational infeasibility, vehicle unavailability, and financial hardship (13 CCR ?2023.4(c)).
The Tehama County Transit Agency Board (TCTAB) operates the Tehama Rural Area eXpress (TRAX) system, a rural transit network characterized by long service distances, high daily mileage, extreme weather conditions, limited utility infrastructure, and constrained funding typical of FTA Section 5311 operators.
After reviewing fleet replacement schedules, operational demands, available vehicle technologies, and facility conditions, staff has determined that TRAX currently qualifies for mult...
Click here for full text