A sign that maybe —-just maybe —they’re catching on out there?

Business owners will have more time to comply with California’s tough diesel emission standards for trucks, school buses and construction equipment under relaxed rules that air quality officials adopted on Friday.

The Air Resources Board passed the new regulations unanimously, saying businesses struggling during a recession needed more time to replace or upgrade aging equipment. In addition to extending the time for compliance, they offer businesses various options to meet the standards.

Hell apparently has frozen over here in North Carolina. But never underestimate the persistence of regulators.