In a surprise move last Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduced a scaled back version of the Jobs Bill for action the week of February 22nd.  The bill would extend the surface transportation programs and deposit $19.6 billion to the Highway Trust Fund.

Reid had hoped to see a vote on a jobs bill in the Senate before the Presidents' Day week-long recess.  But a record-setting blizzard in Washington forced the postponement of Senate caucus meetings, and also prevented 15 senators from returning to Congress from their home states.  While discussions about the bill continued throughout the week, Reid conceded on Wednesday that no votes would be taken for the rest of the week, effectively pushing any action on the jobs bill back to the last week of February.

Senate Finance Committee leaders Max Baucus (D-MT) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) unveiled the Finance Committee's proposed $85 billion bill on Thursday, which includes an array of tax incentives and extensions of expiring legislation.  The two leaders issued a joint statement urging that the bipartisan effort which led to the draft bill be continued as the Senate considers the first in what is likely to be a series of job creation measures.

In a surprise move, Senator Reid went to the floor to offer instead a scaled-back version of the jobs bill, containing only four provisions, including the following transportation actions:

Reid also took steps to preclude any amendments being added to the bill, which will be offered as a substitute for the House jobs bill, H.R. 2847.  He also introduced a cloture motion that will be scheduled for a vote on February 22nd.  If passed, the bill could then be considered in the Senate on February 24th.  The current extension expires on February 28th.

In a statement, Reid said, "People in Nevada and all across the country are struggling to find work and go to bed each night without the peace of mind that they deserve.  This is a simplified, focused bill that addresses our core priority: putting millions of Americans back to work by helping our business community thrive again.  Each piece of this bill enjoys bipartisan support, and I look forward to swift action on this measure that will create and save dependable jobs."

If passed by the Senate on Wednesday, the amended bill would still be subject to a House-Senate conference to reconcile differences.  The House bill, H.R. 2847, called the Jobs for Main Street Act, would extend the highway and transit programs through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2010.  That bill would also provide general fund revenue to the Highway Trust Fund, which is, in part, interest that would have normally accrued to the account since 1998.  However, the House bill also contains some $36 billion for highway and transit infrastructure investment. Senate leaders had deferred any infrastructure investment to later jobs bills.                                          (Return to Top) 

CARB Update!!

 

Off-Road Diesel

On Thursday, February 11th - the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released the following statement regarding the Off-Road Diesel Rule:

 

"Over the last several years, the construction industry has felt the sting of the faltering economy with reduced activity and idled off-road equipment.  This has made it difficult for contractors to pay for required clean-air upgrades to their fleets.  Along with this reduced construction activity has been a corresponding reduction in construction emissions.

"Because of this, ahead of a March 1, 2010, compliance deadline, ARB will issue an enforcement advisory to notify all stakeholders affected by the off-road equipment regulation that effective immediately, and until further notice, no enforcement action will be taken for noncompliance.  In addition, on March 11 an Executive Officer hearing will be held where stakeholders may testify on the question of whether the off-road regulations should be further modified to account for the down economy and subsequent emissions reductions.  That information will be included in an already-scheduled update to the full Board at its April meeting.

"ARB will continue to evaluate the impact of the recession on emissions from all sources and make adjustments to our regulations as needed.  However, the health of all Californians requires that all industries continue to use the cleanest, most efficient equipment possible.  Clean air is not a luxury - it is a right.  We need to continue to work toward goals that save us all money in healthcare costs, lost work and school days, and contribute to our quality of life."

For additional informtion on the CARB website you can click here.

 

While this is not the statement that many in industry would have preferred, it does give some short term relief on the Off-Road Diesel requirements.

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On-Road Diesel

CARB continues to hold classes ( Course 512) to provide information and to meet with affected companies on the On-Road Bus and Truck Rule. 

 

The meeting dates for February are:

 

02/18/2010 - Sacramento

http://www.arb.ca.gov/training/2010/pdfs/20100218_512.pdf

 

02/18/2010 - Webcast

http://www.arb.ca.gov/training/2010/pdfs/20100218_512.pdf

Registration for the class is required and can be accessed through CARB's website at : http://www.arb.ca.gov/training/courses.php?course=512                      (Return to Top) 

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New Caltrans District Director Named for District 7

 

Last week, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced that Mike Miles (pictured), the former Caltrans Deputy Director of Maintenance and Operations, is the department’s newest District Director for Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

 

District 7, comprised of  Los Angeles and Ventura counties, has strong, dynamic  regional and local government partners.  The District is in the process of delivering over $1 billion in transportation projects, including multiple regional projects funded by Propositions 1A and 1B, and the Recovery Act.  It has approximately 2,500 employees and its citizens travel over 100 million vehicle miles daily.  The District also has the largest, and growing, High Occupancy Vehicle Lane program and some of the most congested highways in California.

 

Caltrans Director Randell Iwaskai had this to say about Mr. Miles in his announcement of Mike's appointment on Thursday:

"Mike is a team player with a strong commitment to the public, employees and
Caltrans mission.   He has a proven performance record in project delivery
and is known for his skill in working with local governments, State agency partners, and industry.  Mike is also known for his ability to inspire cooperation, communication, and consensus among varied interests.  Mike, who is has been the Deputy Director for the Maintenance and Operations Program for the past four years, started with the Department in 1989.  Mike has experience in most major program areas in the Department.  His previous assignments in the Department include District 7 Division Chief of Maintenance, Division Chief of Planning,  and District Permits Engineer and Project Manager in District 8, as well as Acting Division Chief of Maintenance, in Sacramento."                                                                                       (Return to Top) 

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Technical Corner

by Rita Leahy, APACA Technical Director

 

Warm-Mix Asphalt – Why, What, Here and There

The hot-mix asphalt industry is constantly exploring technological improvements that will enhance the material’s performance, increase construction efficiency, conserve resources, and advance environmental stewardship.  Logically, one approach to achieving these goals involves methods to reduce material production temperatures.  The concept of warm-mix asphalt (WMA) has been introduced over the last few years as a means to these ends.  Warm-mix asphalt is produced at temperatures in the range of 30º to 100ºF lower than typical hot-mix asphalt (HMA).