Diesel exhaust plan hits a snag
New requirements for heavy equipment could stall public works, official says.
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Construction industry representatives and environmental activists are clashing over proposed tougher air pollution standards seeking to cut diesel fuel emissions from earthmovers, bulldozers, backhoes and other heavy equipment.
The California Air Resources Board on May 25 is scheduled to consider new requirements seeking an 85 percent cut in emissions and "associated cancer risks" from diesel exhaust by 2020 from offroad vehicles used in construction, mining and other industries.
In a teleconference Friday, Mike Lewis, director of the Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition, complained that the proposed requirements could delay major state public works projects because the construction industry can't afford $13 billion in equipment retrofits or new purchases it estimates will be required under the tougher pollution standards.
The Air Resources Board estimates the long-term financial impact at $3 billion.
Meanwhile, construction industry lobbyist and former Air Resources Board Chairman John Dunlap said the heavy equipment industry still lacks the technology needed to meet the cleaner emission standards.
"There is no Prius version of a backhoe or bulldozer that is on the market today," Dunlap said.
In a statement arguing that the proposed emission-reduction standards are "laudable" but "not realistic," construction interests Friday announced the formation of a group to lobby the Air Resources Board on the issue. The organization is called the Coalition to Build a Cleaner California.
In response, the Union of Concerned Scientists environmental advocacy group said Friday that the tougher emissions standards could save California $18 billion to $26 billion in health care costs and lost productivity by cutting air pollutants blamed for asthma, heart problems and other illnesses.
"Construction equipment emissions are responsible for 20 percent of diesel particulate matter in the state," said Don Anair, a clean vehicles engineer for the scientists' group. "There are a number of technologies that can clean up this equipment without having to retire it or buy new pieces of equipment."