A new regulation requiring updated emissions equipment on gas pumps is stirring up a cloud of controversy in California.

In 2000, the California Air Resources Board - CARB - passed a regulation requiring all gas stations in the state to install new equipment on their gas pumps to prevent unburned fuel vapors from polluting the air during refueling (see video above). Local gas stations had until April 1 of this year to comply with the new regulations.

According to the CARB press release, only 51 percent of the stations have met the new requirements so far. Local business owners are saying it is too costly to upgrade to the new systems, while proponents say the cost is justified by the need to improve air quality and public health.

The new systems, when implemented statewide, will cost about $11,000 per pump and reduce pollution by as much as 10 tons every day, according to Dimitri Stanich, CARB spokesman.

"We have a lot of research that shows that the air pollution costs the state millions each year," Stanich said, citing the expense of healthcare, sick days and other economic impacts of air pollution.

The owner of a service station in Fontana, Calif., says the problems with this switch aren’t limited to replacement costs. Doug Whiteman, owner of George’s Sierra Shell, said he filed for the necessary permits over a year ago and just received them six weeks ago.

“Now, we’re waiting for parts and paying fines,” Whiteman said.

On April 1, CARB issued a press release encouraging the California air districts - the 35 local groups tasked with enforcing these types of regulations - to exercise "restraint" in enforcing the new rules.

“The penalties will be assessed on good faith evaluation,” Stanich said.

This means that businesses that show a willingness to comply with the regulations will face fewer consequences. Stanich said the stations have had plenty of time to comply with the regulation but "no one could have seen this economic downturn coming."

According to Stanich, as of April 15 only 51 percent of the stations have met the new requirements so far.

In an April 15 phone interview, Whiteman said he had accumulated $1,500 to $3,500 in fines for missing CARB’s April 1 deadline. This would be on top of the cost of installing the new system, which he estimated could run up to $70,000 for his eight-pump station.

“I think it’s tragic for these smaller stations that do not pump a lot of gas to have to pay for these systems,” said Tim Shock, a gas station owner in Salton City, Calif., in a phone interview.

Shock’s business, the Torres Martinez Travel Center, technically lands in the Torres-Martinez Reservation, so he is only required to follow the national emissions standards. Upgrading would cost his business about $30,000, or three months' profit, according to Shock. He said he has no plans to install the new systems.

According to Bob Jimenez, Sen. Ron Calderon's communications director, the California senator for District 30 intends to “turn up the heat” against CARB's regulations in the form of a strongly-worded formal letter, asking the board to reconsider its decision to fine the stations.

“Senator Calderon is now prepared to form a panel to deal with the issue,” Jimenez said.