| January 2013 | Past Issues/Subscribe | Printer-Friendly | Advertise |
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 15 - 16, 2013 See CRA's Calendar page for more information on CRA's upcoming events. VENDOR NEWS
 At the Oval Office in the White House on December 14, Caterpillar Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Oberhelman said the signing of legislation to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia is a great example of how more open trade will benefit the United States and its trading partners. Oberhelman was among a select group of people invited by President Barack Obama to witness the bill signing for the legislation, which normalizes trade with Russia, following that country's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) earlier this year. The legislation had strong bipartisan backing in Congress and the support of the Obama Administration.
Learn More...  Congratulations to new CRA member MBW for being named by RER magazine, along with National Trench Safety’s Work Zone Safety System, as recipients of the 2012 Grand Award in the 10th anniversary of its Innovative Product Awards competition. The awards competition was established in 2003 to honor excellence in new product development for the equipment rental industry. The 2012 RER Innovative Product Award showcases the most innovative products introduced between Aug. 1, 2011 and July 31, 2012. A panel of industry judges narrowed the pool of entries to one winner in each of eight categories. Then, the judges selected the product they felt displayed the most innovation in respect to the rental business from those eight category winners. This year, the panel was deadlocked on two significant industry innovations and a tie was declared for the Grand Award recipients.
Learn More...  This year marks Point-of-Rental™ Systems' 30th anniversary. Point-of-Rental™ Systems started in 1983 as a division of Overland Rentals, Inc., an equipment rental store opened a year earlier by former NASA software engineers that ventured into entrepreneurship. Shortly after opening the store, it became clear that rental management software would dramatically improve productivity. Noting that many of the computer languages used at NASA could be used for writing rental software, Point-of-Rental™ Software became a reality.
Learn More...  Multiquip, a diverse manufacturer and supplier of world class quality products and solutions, is proud to announce the release its first mobile consumer application (app) -- MQ POWER Generator Selector -- as part of its overall Mobilize MQ initiative. The MQ POWER Generator Selector app helps customers select the right MQ Power generator to meet their specific power needs. It eliminates the need for charts, calculations and guesswork, while providing quick and simple answers to complex generator sizing questions. The app is free to download and easy to use.
Learn More...  Doosan Portable Power has introduced the Tundra™ Package™, a collection of special features designed specifically for mobile generators operating in regions of extreme cold. The various components of the Tundra Package include enhancements proven to improve engine starting and reliability, and ensure generators will run in temperatures as low as -40ºC/ºF.
Learn More...  The world’s first cordless cut-off tool with a brushless motor, the Hilti AG 500-A18 Cordless Cut-Off Tool, delivers metal cutting performance comparable to corded tools. When combined with Hilti’s new cut-off blade, the AG 500-A18 sets a new standard This 18 volt tool can cut or grind just about any type of metal you put in front of it, including strut, cast iron pipe, steel, stainless steel, steel angle iron, flat steel, I-beam, conduit, rebar, threaded rod, decking, grading and checker plate.
Learn More... BUSINESS NEWS
The California Chamber of Commerce Alert Newsletter recently reported that several changes to the disability regulations under the Fair Employment and Housing Commission (FEHC) went into effect on December 30, 2012 and that emergency regulations to implement cost-saving elements in the workers’ compensation reform bill enacted last year went into effect on January 1.
Learn More... CalChamber's recent Alert Newsletter also reported that recent opinions from the California Supreme Court were a mix of good and bad news for California businesses. The victories came in a case dealing with attorney fees in a disability access lawsuit, and another on liability for an injury on an amusement park ride. In the third case, however, the California Supreme Court held that a labor union had statutory rights to picket in front of the only entrance to a Ralph’s grocery store.
Learn More... The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that the strong growth in U.S. crude oil production, primarily attributable to growing volumes of crude oil produced from tight oil formations, has been a major oil market story in recent years. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that U.S. total crude oil production averaged 6.4 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2012, the highest annual average rate of production since 1997, and an 0.8-million-bbl/d increase from 2011 (Figure 1). This month, EIA is extending the Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), forecast period through 2014 for the first time. In this forecast, EIA expects continuing strong growth, with U.S. crude oil production increasing to 7.3 million bbl/d in 2013 and 7.9 million bbl/d in 2014, the highest annual rate of crude oil production since 1988.
Learn More... An article on foxandhoundsdaily.com by Loren Kaye, President of the California Foundation for Commerce and Education, expressed his view of things to watch for in California's economy and politics... "California politics and governance enter a new era in 2013. The state’s economy is finally recovering and the political landscape has been reseeded. Here, in no particular order, are ten stories or trends to watch this year."
Learn More... A recent article on foxandhoundsdaily.com by Peter Herzog, Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs, NAIOP SoCal Commercial Real Estate Development Association, reported that Los Angeles County is proposing a "Flood Control District Water Quality Improvement Program." The focus of the program is to charge a "fee" on every piece of property within the County. This "Water Quality Fee", which many believe is actually a tax, would appear on your annual property tax bill. On November 30, the County sent out notices about the proposed tax with a Protest Form to all property owners. Property owners only have until January 15 to file a protest opposing the tax. All property owners are encouraged to mail the Protest Form to the County to stop this new tax for many reasons.
Learn More... An article on foxandhoundsdaily.com by George Runner, member of the California State Board of Equalization, District 2, discussed a new lumber tax. Runner was elected in November 2010 and represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization...
"It’s a new year, and with it comes higher taxes and more government spending. In 2013, overtaxed Californians will send more of their hard-earned dollars to Sacramento than ever before, growing total state spending to a record $225 billion. Higher taxes shouldn't be a surprise.... But one new tax hike that took effect January 1 is catching many off guard and driving up costs for everything from new homes to home improvement projects. Late this summer two-thirds of the Legislature approved and the Governor signed legislation imposing a new "Lumber Products Assessment" on some retail sales. The new law adds a one percent assessment on certain lumber and engineered wood products sold in California." Learn More... CARB
Beginning January 1, 2013, portable diesel engines registered in PERP or operating under air district permits must comply with weighted particulate matter (PM) emission fleet averages expressed as grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr). These requirements are part of the Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for diesel PM from portable engines. You can have up to three different fleets depending on the size of the engines in your inventory. The ATCM has emission standards for each fleet depending on engine size range. Click on "Learn More" for a brochure detailing requirements.
Learn More... The Air Resources Board posted a letter from Chairman Mary D. Nichols recently, concerning requirements of the California Truck and Bus Regulation for 1996-2004 model year engines. The purpose of the letter was to remind heavy-duty vehicle owners and operators that requirements for vehicles over 26,000 pounds gross weight rating with 2000 t0 2004 model year engines take effect on January 1, 2013. Click on "Learn More" to read the letter.
Learn More... The links on this page contain formal history of regulation development and related advisories. Advisories are brief policy documents produced by staff to clarify program policies and regulations. Informal Statewide Truck and Bus Regulation meetings and workshops are posted in the Meeting and Workshop Notices. This page was last reviewed October 25, 2012.
Learn More... On July 26, 2007, the Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted a regulation to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from in-use (existing) off-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles in California. Such vehicles are used in construction, mining and industrial operations. For more information, please call the diesel vehicle information hot line at 866-6DIESEL or 866-634-3735.
Learn More... Owners or operators of portable engines and certain other types of equipment can register their units under the Air Resources Board's (ARB) Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) in order to operate their equipment throughout California without having to obtain individual permits from local air districts. For 2012, engine manufacturers are required to produce engines in all power categories that are certified to the Interim Tier 4 level. Engines that were produced under the "flex" provisions of either 40 CFR part 89.102 or 1039.625 will continue to be eligible for initial registration in PERP. On July 1, 2012, to apply for initial registration in PERP, all non-flex diesel engines rated 50 bhp and above must be certified to the interim Tier 4 emission standard. The fleet standards from the Portable Engine ATCM take effect January 1, 2013.
Learn More... This area of the Off-Road Mobile Sources website pertains to off-road large spark-ignition (LSI) equipment greater than 25 horsepower, including farm, construction, and industrial equipment, powered by gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other alternate fuels. Typical applications that use LSI engines include forklifts, large turf care equipment, portable generators, and other agricultural, construction, and general industrial equipment.
Learn More... The small off-road engine (SORE) category consists of off-road spark-ignition engines below 25 horsepower, including small utility equipment, lawn mowers and weed trimmers. This category does not include compression-ignition engines, watercraft, or recreational vehicles. ARB has a page on its website that includes general information regarding small off-road engines and ARB's SORE program. Click on "Learn more" to access this page.
Learn More... In December 2011, major amendments to the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation, which include delaying the first compliance date to no earlier than January 1, 2014, became effective. The changes to the regulation are reflected in the fact sheets, advisories, and answers to frequently asked questions available on...
Learn More... All diesel-fueled trucks, buses, trailers and transportation refrigeration units operating in California, including those based out-of-state, have requirements to reduce air pollution and improve the state's overall air quality. Don't miss the fast-approaching Tractor-Trailer GHG reporting deadlines! The reporting deadline for large fleets was June 1, 2012. The reporting deadline for small fleets is September 1, 2012. Click on "Learn More" or call the California Air Resources Board (ARB) Diesel Hotline at 866-6DIESEL (866-634-3735) for more information. Operators are also available to answer questions in Spanish and Punjabi.
Learn More... The regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. Heavier trucks must be retrofitted with PM filters beginning January 1, 2012, and older trucks must be replaced starting January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and buses will need to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent. The regulation applies to nearly all privately and federally owned diesel fueled trucks and buses and to privately and publicly owned school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds. Small fleets with three or fewer diesel trucks can delay compliance for heavier trucks by reporting and there are a number of extensions for low-mileage construction trucks, early PM filter retrofits, adding cleaner vehicles and other situations.
Learn More... The ARB's Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program were adopted into law in 1988 to control excessive smoke emissions and tampering from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. The Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program (HDVIP) program requires heavy-duty trucks and buses to be inspected for excessive smoke and tampering, and engine certification label compliance. Any heavy-duty vehicle traveling in California, including vehicles registered in other states and foreign countries, may be tested. Owners of trucks and buses found in violation are subject to minimum penalties starting at $300 per violation. The Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) program requires that diesel and bus fleet owners conduct annual smoke opacity inspections of their vehicles and repair those with excessive smoke emissions to ensure compliance. All vehicles that do not pass the test must be repaired and retested. A fleet owner that neglects to perform the annual smoke opacity inspection on applicable vehicles is subject to a penalty of $500 per vehicle, per year.
Learn More...  Driving Toward a Cleaner California (DTCC) is a coalition of owner-operators, farmers, construction contractors and other business and community leaders committed to working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to craft a sensible truck and bus replacement rule that both cleans the air and keeps California's economy moving forward.
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