April 15–16, 2014
CRA Board of Directors Meeting - San Diego, CA

 

A new forward-mount instrumentation system designed for enhanced functionality and improved ergonomics is available for six existing models of Bobcat® compact excavators. The new instrumentation system, introduced with the E32, E35, E42, E45, E50 and E55, presents operators of Bobcat excavators with many of the functions, aesthetics and visibility they’ve come to enjoy with Bobcat loaders. The new excavator instrumentation technologies can also help owners and fleet managers better understand and evaluate their performance and costs, as well as assist them with identifying opportunities to improve machine and operator efficiencies and protect their investments.
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Baldor was founded in March 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri by Edwin Ballman and Emil Doerr. That's almost 100 years of service! Over the years, where have you seen Baldor motors in action? Compressors, pumps, conveyors? Help us celebrate our 94th birthday and share your application photos to show how Baldor motors keep things running! Email your application photos to us (tracy.long@baldor.abb.com) or post your photos in a tweet @BaldorElectric using the hashtag #Baldormotors. You can follow along on Twitter and at Baldor.com!
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Genie recently entered into a licensing agreement with Lavendon Group for its "electronic secondary guarding solution," also known as the SkySiren®. This system is designed to alert ground personnel when an operator makes contact with the platform control panel. The system interrupts boom movement, sounds an alarm and causes a light to flash. Based on Lavendon’s SkySiren technology, the Genie Operator Protective Alarm (OPA) system can be retrofitted to any Genie® articulating or telescopic boom lift manufactured after 2002. It is now available as an aftermarket option but will soon be offered as a factory-installed option.
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Multiquip, a diverse manufacturer and supplier of world-class quality products and equipment solutions, introduced multiple new products, including a compact light tower, new gasoline-powered portable generators, diesel-powered welder generators, and a GloBug LED balloon light at ConExpo 2014. The new products are in addition to the new products introduced at the 2014 World of Concrete show in January, which included MQ Whiteman Finishing Solutions, MQ SlabArmor and First Polish new submersible pumps, the GB4000 balloon light, the new green concrete saw and multiple compaction products.
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The Ditch Witch organization introduced the new Low-Profile Sprocket™ for compact trencher booms at The Rental Show in Orlando, Fla., February 10-12, 2014. The new sprocket is designed with low-profile teeth on the tail roller, which helps reduce seize-up and flat-spotting during trencher operation. Engineered with lower-profile teeth than traditional sprockets, this innovative new sprocket is designed to reduce chain wear and minimize binding caused by rocks and other debris.
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Kubota Tractor Corporation and ECHO Incorporated announced on February 11 a U.S. Dealer Alliance aimed at growing their combined sales within the commercial turf and consumer lawn and garden markets. As part of the alliance, ECHO and Shindaiwa will become the preferred brands of hand-held outdoor power equipment within the Kubota dealer network. The alliance also names ECHO Bear Cat as a preferred brand of chippers, shredders, log splitters and wheeled trimmers within the Kubota dealer network.
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Chicago Pneumatic Construction Equipment introduces two brand new handheld breakers to the North American market: the CP1260 and CP 1290. The brand new breakers offer the same quality and versatility as previous pneumatic breaker models, but with updated features, more power, and a sleek, ergonomic look. Known globally for their high-impact technology and durability, many of the same value-adding features of the CP 1230 and CP 1240 were rolled into the CP 1260 and CP 1290, respectively. Offering a variety of sizes, there is a CP pneumatic breaker option for every application.
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Graco Inc., a leading manufacturer of fluid handling equipment, has revolutionized the airless spraying industry with the creation of three new series of electric and gas paint and texture sprayers built specifically to address how contractors work and what types of jobs they most often tackle. Loaded with features that make spraying easier, faster, and more productive, the Standard, ProContractor, and IronMan series of sprayers deliver unmatched durability and performance.
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Rental software provider Point-of-Rental™ Systems recently updated all of their credit card security compliance based on the latest release of Payment Application Data Security Standards (PA-DSS), version 2.0. "Stores have to use PCI-compliant software in order to accept credit cards for payment of goods and services," says Point-of-Rental's IT Support Liaison, Daniel Ruiz. "In order for our customers to be PCI-compliant they have to assess whether their payment software meets the PCI-DSS requirements. That is why we make sure the Point-of-Rental Enterprise software is up-to-date according to the latest PCI Security Council's regulations."
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Linamar Corporation’s Skyjack division launched a new industry-leading electrically powered rough terrain scissor lift at ConExpo 2014, debuting the brand new SJ6832 RTE. The only machine in its category with four-wheel drive and 45 percent gradeability as standard design, the SJ6832 RTE provides end users with a zero-emission scissor lift built with the low running costs and high up time associated with the Skyjack "simply reliable" AWP design philosophy.
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For rental stores across the US, doing business with The Toro Company is now just a click away with the launch of www.tororental.com. ToroRental.com is a new online store for authorized rental customers and contractor supply companies to buy Toro equipment and parts online. The site offers customers a secure way to browse products and parts' drawings, view pricing and availability, and check order status and history. All products and parts available to Toro rental customers can be purchased on the site.
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The California Chamber of Commerce is urging California businesses to join a growing coalition of associations and employers to oppose a rule proposed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to obtain and release detailed information regarding specific workplace injuries and illnesses — including the company, location and specific data — to the public.
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The California Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of more than 50 local chambers of commerce and associations are opposing legislation that will increase costs and undermine due process for appealing workplace safety citations. A similar CalChamber-opposed bill by the same author was vetoed by the Governor last year. This year’s proposal, AB 1634 (Skinner; D-Berkeley) is scheduled to be considered by the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee on March 19.
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The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced that total U.S. crude oil production averaged 7.5 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2013, 967,000 bbl/d higher than 2012 and the highest level of U.S. production since 1989. In December 2013, U.S. crude oil production reached 7.9 million bbl/d, according to EIA's recently released December 2013 Petroleum Supply Monthly, an increase of 785,000 bbl/d (11%) compared with December 2012. The 15% increase in U.S. production from 2012 to 2013 was the largest annual percentage increase since 1940. The increase in domestic production supported high refinery utilization rates, reduced U.S. imports of crude oil, and changed domestic and global crude oil and petroleum product trade flows.
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Joe Mathews ("Connecting California" Columnist and Editor, Zócalo Public Square, Fellow at the Center for Social Cohesion at Arizona State University and co-author of California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It; UC Press, 2010) offered his perspective on the drought and current water situation in California in a March 13th article posted on foxandhoundsdaily.com. He is of the opinion that we need to "to protect ourselves against a flood of conventional media wisdom about California water." According to Mathews, the conventional thought is that water divides California; that we are in a "water war." But he disagrees, stating that "water, more than anything, unites California." And therein lies the problem.
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The regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. Heavier trucks must be retrofitted with particulate matter (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.

What's New:
Updated Online Reporting Guide (January 17, 2014)
The Online Reporting Guide has been updated to include instructions on how to opt-in to the Agricultural and Low-Mileage Construction truck extension for the first time.

Advisory on Good Faith Efforts and Expected Regulatory Changes (Nov. 13, 2013)
Mail-Out 13-28 explains how ARB will recognize specific good faith efforts that owners have made to comply with the January 1, 2014 deadline and how owners can report and take advantage of planned regulatory changes that would increase low-use thresholds, allow owners to opt-in to a number of flexibility provisions, amend the "NOx exempt" vehicle provisions, and grant additional time to comply with the PM filter requirements for vehicles operated in certain areas.
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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 regulations Title 13 CCR, sections 2180-2189 for HDVIP and Title 13 CCR, sections 2190-2194 for PSIP, which govern these programs, were last amended in 2013.

The HDVIP program requires heavy-duty trucks and buses to be inspected for excessive smoke and tampering and for engine certification label compliance. Any heavy-duty vehicle traveling in California, including vehicles registered in other states and foreign countries, may be tested. Tests are performed by ARB inspection teams at border crossings, CHP weigh stations, fleet facilities and randomly selected roadside locations. Owners of trucks and buses found in violation are subject to minimum penalties starting at $300 per violation.
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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.

See the new 2014 Reporting Guide!
The Truck Regulation Upload, Compliance, and Reporting System (TRUCRS) and the Online Reporting Guide were recently updated. Also, see more information for:

Course #521: How to Comply with the Truck and Bus Regulation .

Advisory on Good Faith efforts to Comply and Expected Regulatory Changes
Scheduled Upcoming Workshops
Provisions that may give you greater compliance flexibility have recently been re-opened. Opt-in now!

Question of the Month
This Month's Most Frequent Question!
-- I am a small fleet. Is there any extra extension I can use in addition to the Small Fleet Option?
Small Fleet Option information is available.
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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.

Portable Diesel Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure
On January 1, 2013, the Portable Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) fleet emission standards went into effect. The ATCM required owners of portable engines to submit a Fleet Compliance Report to the Air Resources Board by March 1, 2013. The next Fleet Compliance Report will be due March 1, 2017.

Changes to Fleets
The ATCM also requires owners to ensure the average PM emission level for their fleet does not fall out of compliance due to changes in the fleet. Owners of portable diesel engine fleets who are adding or removing engines are strongly encouraged to re-calculate their fleet average. Other changes, such as modifying a registration to be low-use or emergency only-use can also affect the fleet emissions average.
We recommended that once you have completed the calculator, save it and update it any time your portable fleet changes. Diesel engine owners submitting applications for PERP registration for the first time must include a Fleet Compliance Report. This includes transfer of existing registrations for engines you have purchased.

Critical Engine Requirements:
June 30, 2014: This is the last day ARB will accept initial registration applications for Interim Tier 4 engines rated from 175 bhp to 750 bhp.

Effective July 1, 2014: For initial registration into PERP, all diesel engines must meet the following certification tier levels:
50 to 74 bhp - Final Tier 4
75 to 174 bhp - Interim Tier 4
175 to 750 bhp - Final Tier 4
Over 750 bhp - Interim Tier 4

Or, for all power categories - Flex engines certified under the flexibility provisions of Federal 40 CFR 1039.625, or CFR 89.102, or California Code of Regulations section 2423 (d).
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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. For more information, please call the diesel vehicle information hotline at (866) 6-DIESEL or (866) 634-3735.
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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, specialty vehicles, airport service vehicles, large turf care equipment, portable generators, and a wide array of other agricultural, construction, and general industrial equipment. The U.S. EPA has sole authority to control new farm and construction equipment under 175 horsepower.
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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. The following includes general information regarding small off-road engines and ARB's SORE program:
Small Off-Road Engines Fact Sheet; and Certification Guidelines - Online access to relevant certification documents for manufacturers.
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The Truck and Bus Regulation will reduce diesel exhaust emissions from privately owned and federal government diesel trucks and buses. Privately and publicly owned school buses have different requirements and do not need to be reported. This CARB site has the Truck Regulations Upload and Compliance Reporting System (TRUCRS).

Who Needs to Report for 2014?
Compliance requirements are currently in effect for heavier vehicles with a GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs. with engine years 1996 or newer. To assist vehicle owners with the transition to the upcoming January 1, 2014, particulate matter (PM) filter compliance deadline, the Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) is taking specific actions to provide additional time for owners to complete their good faith compliance efforts and to take advantage of additional flexibility for many lower use vehicles and vehicles that operate solely in certain areas of the state as explained in the regulatory advisory MSC 13-28. Owners will have the opportunity to use the following options under certain conditions but must report by January 31, 2014.
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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 the Knowledge Center for the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation Web page.
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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. However, we have to apologize -- with a high volume of news, we have been overwhelmed with keeping up with the latest industry news. Our staff will be working on getting you the latest updates. In the meantime, you may also visit our sister affiliate site for the latest news from CARB, AB32, and any related news to the industry. Click on "Learn More" to access this site.
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