CARB dedicates new emission testing center in Riverside
24 November 2021
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has dedicated a new $419 million research facility and Southern California Headquarters in Riverside, California, named for former board chair Mary D. Nichols, that will allow to expand its emission testing capabilities for light- and heavy-duty vehicles. The center replaces a nearly 50-year-old emission testing laboratory in nearby El Monte.
The state broke ground on the facility four years ago in the community 50 miles (80 km) east of Los Angeles.
The cost of the new facility was $419 million, which includes $108 million for specialized laboratory and testing equipment, approved by the Legislature in 2016. Of those costs, $154 million came from fines paid by Volkswagen for air quality violations related to the diesel car emission scandal.
The 19-acre (7.7 ha) campus is located on land donated by the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and encompasses a cutting-edge laboratory and advanced chemistry area, as well as administrative space for approximately 460 employees.
The 402,000 ft2 (37,347 m2) facility will test emissions from cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, lawn and garden equipment, marine engines, and other vehicles. It contains seven light/medium duty test cells, and three test cells for heavy-duty trucks and buses.
The new facility also includes an expanded chemistry lab to analyze motor vehicle exhaust emissions, evaporative emissions and transportation fuels samples.
It is not clear when the Mary D. Nichols center will begin operation. CARB is currently wrapping up projects at the El Monte facility.
Source: CARB