KPCC News In Brief

Air regulators demonstrate cleaner-burning earthmovers and tractors

Federal and state air regulators used a Puente Hills landfill to demonstrate cleaner-burning earthmovers and tractors as new air pollution rules take effect. KPCC’s Molly Peterson reports.

Molly Peterson: The money for the construction equipment came from $1 million in fines the federal Environmental Protection Agency collected. South Coast Air Quality Management District director Barry Wallerstein says new filters in that heavy equipment could cut most soot pollution from diesel tractors.

Barry Wallerstein: As we have a debate in the state about moving forward with infrastructure projects, and cutting through so called red tape, by using these types of devices, it’s a way to assure the breathing public they won’t be subject to highly carcinogenic exhaust.

The demo wasn’t just for the public. EPA’s Wayne Nastri says it’s also meant to promote to a skeptical construction industry the new technology that state and federal air quality rules demand.

Wayne Nastri: We’re able to show that this can work quickly, this can get out there, and that the immediate benefits are there.

The Associated General Contractors of America, a trade association for the construction industry, still fights the rules for cleaner engines. The organization says that California’s lost 120,000 construction jobs in the last two years, and that tighter air rules won’t help. The state air board will convene a hearing on off-road diesel equipment regulations later this month.

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• January 5, 2009 6:43 PM
• Categories: Environment, Politics/Public Affairs