Setting Dangerous Precedents

You may think that public utility companies and municipalities have nothing in common.  But two recent events have shown that both are going down paths, that if successful, will set precedents with far reaching consequences for our industry throughout California. 

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Chapter 84-4-A6 in no uncertain terms states that ALL public utility companies MUST set their electric/phone/cable lines 18’ MINIMALLY above the street.  However, often these lines are set at less than this height or the necessary maintenance is routinely neglected causing lines to sag lower.  Consequently, oversize loads cause damage to these lines.  In these instances, AT&T has been attempting to collect money from the companies that have caused the damage even though it is clearly AT&T’s financial responsibility since their lines were hit at 15’ 6”.

Fortunately, one of our members contacted me regarding an incident in the Bay area that involved his company.  I told him that AT&T could not legally charge him for the damage which totaled over $22,000 done to AT&T’s lines (or any other public utility lines). 

Helps small businesses upgrade diesels for cleaner California air

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board is now offering a lease-to-own financing opportunity that encourages small business owners to replace their older diesel trucks with clean new equipment.

The objective of this program is to encourage early compliance with ARB’s on-road diesel vehicle and tractor-trailer greenhouse gas regulations.

“This is a program that benefits small fleets and owner-operators,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “It provides them with an additional way to pay for a cleaner truck, even if their credit isn’t stellar.”

Leases are widely used in the trucking industry for managing cash flow.  They combine the tax advantages of leasing while retaining the option to purchase the leased equipment in the future. This is an attractive alternative for smaller owner-operators who may not meet today’s stringent borrowing standards to comply with diesel truck and bus regulations and help meet California’s clean-air and health goals.