REGULATORY ISSUES


Air and Water Quality Regulators Out of Hibernation


By Michael Lewis, Senior Vice President, CIAQC & CICWQ


I


f you thought we were about to get some relief from regulators because of the dramatic improvement in air


quality and the good news brought by El Nino, think again. Despite the fact that it is a presi-


dential election year, the global economy remains soft and the employment market is largely gener- ating only lower-paying jobs. In addition, regulators have roared back to life with a whole new set of ideas that will threaten business and further slow the progress of our economy.


Record Low Pollution Levels On the air quality front, in


A CPA 


After years of contractor complaints, CARB has finally recognized that the fleet average standards set for portable engines are unachievable with current technology.


Southern California a new Air Quality Management Plan is being developed for approval by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will set us on course to achieve


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new, even lower levels of pollution than the record lows already achieved in the region. In fact, the Obama administration has set a new standard for ozone (smog) that in Southern California approaches the ambient (natural) levels of pollution. In other words, we are about to


be compelled to achieve the level of air quality that existed when the only residents of Los Angeles were the Chumash Indians.


Painful Price Tag In order to achieve those levels, the


price tag could be very painful. When it comes to construction, regulators are looking at options such as significant use of renewable diesel fuel, greater equipment efficiency on job sites to reduce overall emissions and more rapid turnover of older equipment (lower fleet averages). Of particular interest – and even


more disturbing than rules and regula- tions – the California legislature has injected itself into the day-to-day management of the South Coast Air Quality Management District over the dismissal of its longtime executive director and a decision about the pollution reduction requirements for local industrial sources. Teir response is to add three new members to the board appointed by Sacra- mento leaders. Tat translates into non-elected members with no way to be held accountable for their decisions. Te good news is that after years


of contractor complaints, CARB finally recognized that the fleet average standards set for portable engines are unachievable with current technology and they have initiated a year-long effort with industry stake-


California Constructor


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