California Asphalt Magazine – 2019 Environmental Issue by CMS

2019 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

The legendary CalAPAÂ® Environmental Committee marks 30 years of successful teamwork & advocacy on behalf of the asphalt industry in California

INSIDE: CARB Air Monitoring Q&A with Joseph Shacat, NAPA SILICA - Methods of Compliance

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Publisher’s Letter Dear Readers: It is my pleasure to introduce this special environment-themed issue of California Asphalt magazine. Since I accepted the gavel as the chairman of the California Asphalt Pavement Association earlier this year, I’ve been pleased to see first-hand the leadership our association and our industry has demonstrated in the area of sustainability and environmental protection. As you will read elsewhere in this issue, the CalAPA® Environmental Committee of professionals has a long and proud history of following environmental, health, and safety issues on behalf of our industry, and being proactive in engaging elected officials, regulators and others on these issues. As any safety professional will tell you, it’s often hard to quantify the cost of the accident that doesn’t happen, but in the case of an ill-conceived bill in the Legislature or a muddled air-quality or water-quality regulation, the cost to our industry in compliance is potentially enormous. Over the years the CalAPA® Environmental Committee has helped marshal scientific experts, research, and practical knowledge of plant operations and construction practices to help regulators better understand the impact of potential laws or regulations, and in many cases mitigate those impacts through changes in language or policy. Two of the most prominent examples are the settlement agreement our association entered into with the state Attorney General’s office to insulate our member companies from frivolous lawsuits related to Proposition 65, the state’s landmark toxics reporting law approved by voters in 1986. In 2017, the Environmental Committee mobilized quickly to respond to action by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the bureaucracy created by Prop. 65, which was investigating whether to classify asphalt as a carcinogen. The committee hired a consultant, pulled in resources from the National Asphalt Pavement Association and the Asphalt Institute, and secured a satisfactory outcome when OEHHA’s Carcinogen Identification Committee of scientists voted to deem asphalt a “low” priority. I would like to personally commend the longtime co-chairs of the Environmental Committee, Scott Taylor with Taylor Environmental Services and Scott Cohen with Sespe Consulting, and all of the other volunteers on the committee, for their outstanding work protecting our industry from untold calamity. Recently our association’s Board of Directors met to review and update our association’s strategic plan, and environmental protection and sustainability are front-and-center for our collective efforts going forward. More than just words, that commitment is embodied in many of our activities, such as promoting recycling, continuing improvements in air and water-quality protection best practices, and utilizing pavement preservation tools and techniques to extend the life of pavements, which helps conserve precious dollars as well as the environment. We are also working with industry partners, academia, and project owners to better understand and deploy principles of Environmental Lifecycle Analysis and Environmental Product Declarations. We are a local industry, employing local workers, who live in nearby neighborhoods. We too want to protect our environment for future generations while also helping to ensure that they have access to a safe and well-maintained transportation network. Those goals can work in harmony, and our industry is demonstrating that every day all across this great state of ours. Sincerely,

Jordan Reed George Reed, Inc. / VSS International

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

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Contents Volume 23, Issue 4

Publisher’s Letter

CalAPA® Environmental Committee: A legacy of education & advocacy on behalf of the asphalt industry

Q&A with Joseph Shacat, Director of Sustainable Pavements, NAPA

Latest draft of CARB rules on community air monitoring removes onerous reporting language

SILICA - Methods of Compliance through the Hierarchy of Controls

A primer on LNG as a fuel for the asphalt industry in California

Page 8

Page 20

On the Cover: No, this isn’t the CalAPA® Environmental Committee, but rather an eye-catching stock photo meant to illustrate the concept teamwork, dedication and esprit de corps embodied by the committee over many years representing the asphalt pavement industry in California. Go team!

Page 26

CALIFORNIA ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION www.calapa.net

HEADQUARTERS: P.O. Box 981300 • West Sacramento • CA 95798 (Mailing Address) 1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 211 • West Sacramento • CA 95691 • (916) 791-5044 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Russell W. Snyder, CAE, rsnyder@calapa.net TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Brandon M. Milar, P.E., bmilar@calapa.net REGIONAL DIRECTOR: Bill Knopf, wknopf@calapa.net • (909) 400-9697 MEMBER SERVICES MANAGER: Sophie You, syou@calapa.net GUEST PUBLISHER: Jordan Reed, George Reed, Inc. / VSS International PUBLISHED BY: Construction Marketing Services, LLC • (909) 772-3121 P.O. Box 892977 • Temecula • CA 92589 GRAPHIC DESIGN: Aldo Myftari CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Russell W. Snyder, CalAPA®, Natalie Pless, Westward Environmental and Scott Johns, CLEANCOR ADVERTISING SALES: Kerry Hoover, CMS, (909) 772-3121 Copyright © 2019 – All Rights Reserved. No portion of this publication may be reused in any form without prior permission of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. California Asphalt is the official publication of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. This bimonthly magazine distributes to members of the California Asphalt Pavement Association; contractors; construction material producers; Federal, State and Local Government Officials; and others interested in asphalt pavements in California and gaining exclusive insight about the issues, trends and people that are shaping the future of the industry.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

HERRMANN EQUIPMENT, INC., BOMAG/CEDARAPIDS AND HARDY & HARPER, INC.

Right: Hardy Harper paving with their new BOMAG/Cedarapids CR552 paving machine purchased from Herrmann Equipment.

Hardy & Harper has been providing their Southern California clients with exceptional service since 1946. The company is owned by Dan Maas. Dan and his team of over 100 employees have developed long lasting relationships with individuals in both the private and public sector. Their expertise, dedication and hard work have allowed them to lead the way in the asphalt paving, concrete paving, underground work, sidewalk grinding, and the seal coat and striping industries. Hardy & Harper also provides demolition services to remove existing pavement, concrete and landscaping in order to make room for new improvements. Hardy & Harper is also very skilled in the development of ADA compliant ramps and parking lots. Hardy & Harper recently moved from Santa Ana to their new Corporate headquarters in Lake Forest with their equipment yard located in Fontana. They have three divisions which focus primarily on maintenance contracts with cities and counties, private construction and public works agencies. They recently took delivery of their sixth BOMAG/ Cedarapids paver, the newest edition being the BOMAG/Cedarapids CR552. The CR552 is the largest rubber-tire asphalt paver available in the BOMAG/Cedarapids line, as well as in the asphalt paving market in general. Dennis Beyle is a Superintendent at Hardy & Harper, Inc. and comments, “Our new BOMAG/Cedarapids CR552 paver delivers more power and production than any other machine we have worked with to date. BOMAG/Cedarapids has always manufactured a fantastic product and the performance that it affords us is what sets us apart from the pack. Equally important is the customer service I receive from Mike Allen and the entire Herrmann Equipment team. They made the decision to purchase our new BOMAG/Cedarapids CR552 that much easier. If we ever have a problem, I call Mike direct, not a customer service line. I have called Mike at 2AM in the morning and he is always available to help. He makes us feel like we are his number one priority and we appreciate that kind of service and relationship.”

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CalAPA® Environmental Committee: A legacy of education, advocacy on behalf of the asphalt industry By Russell W. Snyder

here’s an old saying that none of us knows as much as all of us. One of the best examples of that maxim is the CalAPA® Environmental Committee, which for more than 30 years has led the way in sharing knowledge, educating member companies about environmental, safety and health regulations, best practices and effective strategies for compliance. The committee has also been at the forefront in educating regulatory agencies about the asphalt industry, and helping to shape current and proposed laws, rules and regulations so that they are straightforward, realistic and can be followed by the industry without too much difficulty while still meeting the stated objectives of the regulatory community and the public. The Environmental Committee’s work is closely linked to the association’s strategic plan, which calls out the importance of leadership in knowledge-sharing, advocacy, sustainability and environmental protection, as well as the association’s Code of Ethics, which states in part: “As members of an industry long concerned with being good community neighbors in an environmental sense, we have voluntarily applied the latest available technology and have 8

Above: NAPA’s Howard Marks testifying in 2016 in Sacramento before the Carcinogen Identification Committee of the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).

dedicated our efforts toward protecting the quality of the environment in which we operate.” In some instances, the committee helped marshal resources and expertise to respond to a threat to the industry, such as when the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment announced in 2016 its Carcinogen Identification Committee of scientists was going to examine asphalt for possible listing as a health risk. A committee-created task force launched to respond to this threat pulled together experts from the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the Asphalt Institute, various research institutions and local consultants to develop scientific information to demonstrate that no appreciable threat existed.

The committee ultimately voted that asphalt was a “low” priority. Howard Marks, Vice President – Environment, Health & Safety of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), worked closely with CalAPA® on that and many other issues. “Working with CalAPA® and its Environmental Committee has been important for the industry because EH&S concerns initiating in California are usually an indication of what will happen in other areas across the U.S.,” Marks said. “Working together with CalAPA®, its members and other stakeholders, the industry has been successful in addressing and reversing some California EH&S concerns associated with the production, application, and environmental impacts of asphalt pavements.”

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

Above Left: CalAPA® Environmental Product Declaration "webinar" held earlier this year in West Sacramento. Above Right: CalAPA® Environmental Committee meeting, hosted by R.J. Noble in Orange, the committee was presented with an update on the use of Environmental Product Declarations in California.

Another prominent example of committee work was part of a larger association effort to insulate member companies from nuisance lawsuits stemming from Proposition 65, the state’s toxic substance reporting law. The association banded together in 2005 to secure a joint settlement agreement with the California Attorney General where companies could “opt in” to the agreement in exchange for following certain reporting, notification and educational requirements. “I worked with the association since it combined refiners and hot mix companies in the 1980s and one of the engagements I am most proud of was our Proposition 65 settlement,” recalls Craig Moyer, a partner in the Los Angeles-based law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. “We gathered support across the industry and engaged the California Attorney General’s office to keep us from dealing with the bounty hunters alone. In spite of what most folks said we could accomplish, the association secured protection for participants from the nuisance lawsuits that has harried other industries for decades. It was a complicated structure that covered everyone from the refiners through the manufacturers to the contractors and even retailers. The settlement covered exposures to not just chemicals in asphalt but to all listed chemicals including

crystalline silica, chromium and even tobacco smoke. Perhaps most importantly, we laid the groundwork for avoiding the Proposition 65 listing of asphalt or asphalt fumes directly.” Jim St. Martin, asphalt association executive at the time, also recalls the important role the Environmental Committee played in this effort. “I found the Environmental Committee to be an invaluable resource addressing both local and statewide environmental issues. The Proposition 65 issue was a major statewide issue that was successfully addressed. In addition they worked together with both NAPA and the Asphalt Institute to address issues of both national and international significance.” Scott Taylor, president of Taylor Environmental Services, is a longtime co-chair of the Environmental Committee and worked on many of those issues on behalf of the association. “Around 1995 the Environmental Committee started back up after a hiatus,” he recalled. “There were numerous issues that the industry was facing at the time, including more detailed emissions reporting, more restrictive fugitive dust rules in Southern California, and New Source performance Standards Subpart OOO and Subpart I were starting to be enforced. Stormwater

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

was just beginning to be an issue and everyone was trying to figure out what a stormwater plan was, and AB 2588 was starting on its second round of updates. It was overwhelming and many environmental managers were looking for a place to get some ideas.” The Environmental Committee was that place. “For years the committee met between Los Angeles and San Diego at a number of sites,” Taylor said. “As locations changed and offices changed, it resulted in most of the environmental mangers being located in Orange county or North San Diego. For the last 10 years the official meeting has been taking place at a variety of locations. The most consistent hosts have been either Sully Miller or R.J. Noble . Around 2012 we started having the option for participants to join via conference call and via computer, which allowed the committee to cover a larger part of the state.” As part of the association’s mandate to be proactive with regard to engaging regulators, a premium was placed on engaging air- and water-quality regulators at various locations around the state. As always, the committee’s approach has always been collaborative and educational, offering to be a technical resource to regulators to help them to better understand the asphalt industry. 9

Above: At a recent meeting at the headquarters of the San Francisco Bay Area Air Quality Management District (from left to right): CalAPA® Executive Director Russell Snyder, Tina Lau with Lehigh Hanson, Tom Ferrell with Syar Industries and Christine Williams with Granite Construction.

“Members of the committee have traveled the state to address issues from Rule development, to fugitive dust and track-out, to NOx emissions, Storm Water, and Portable Equipment Registrations to name a few,” Taylor said. “The work of the committee has only grown over the years. As some industries have moved away, we have sought to continually reinforce the need for local asphalt. Asphalt is something that has to be made and placed locally. It is even more critical that this committee work with the companies that have sites that are regulated to find what can be achieved with technology, what proposed regulations are unreasonable to meet, and craft that into language that the industry can live with. That can only be achieved by the shared information that happens at the committee meetings. The group works with an esprit de corps as they all face many of the same challenges.” The other long-serving co-chair of the committee is Scott D. Cohen, P.E., C.I.H., principal engineer of Sespe Consulting, Inc. 10

“As a consultant, I benefit greatly by hearing what environmental issues members around the state are dealing with and the wisdom that members and other consultants in the committee share. I am proud to be a part of the CalAPA® Environmental Committee and encourage others to join us by phone or in person at our bi-monthly meetings. Nowhere else will one find such good and free advice regarding existing and potential environmental issues that affectthis industry.” Another prominent example of Environmental Committee engagement is when the committee members who work in the San Francisco Bay Area initiated a series of meetings with executives and staff of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District on various issues related to timeliness of requests for information and permit processing. Christine Williams, Environmental Manager for CalAPA®member Granite Construction in the Coastal Region, participated in the meetings and said they were productive.

“The meeting with Bay Area Air Quality Management District was encouraging,” she said. “BAAQMD was receptive to the asphalt industry’s concerns and both parties left with a better understanding of the other’s needs. I am optimistic that this meeting has opened the door for sharing ideas to streamline the permitting process.” Damien Breen, Deputy Air Pollution Control Officer for the BAAQMD, also expressed his appreciation to the CalAPA® Environmental Committee. “The Air District’s permitting process is complex, even for experienced operators such as those in the asphalt industry here in California,” Breen said. “The best way to navigate it is by reaching out to the Air District and setting up face-to-face meetings. This allows operators to get a full understanding of the regulations they are subject to and for Air District staff to answer questions about the permitting process and the controls that may be required for equipment at a given plant. Our recent meeting with the asphalt industry’s Environmental Committee was extremely successful in that it provided the opportunity for Air District staff to answer members’ questions directly and to listen to industry’s suggested changes to improve permitting processes. This type of dialogue is something we encourage here at the agency and we look forward to continued meetings with the industry moving forward.” Indeed, the CalAPA® Environmental Committee has burnished the association’s reputation as a collaborative partner and one willing to be a trusted resource for credible information and expertise with regard to the asphalt industry in California. “It has been a very positive experience working with CalAPA® and the association’s Environmental

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

Committee of subject-matter experts,” said Stacy Taylor, External Affairs Manager for the Mesa Water District, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif. “CalAPA® has had a very strong impact on issues our buried utility coalition has been engaged in with the regulatory community, and we look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship.” Scott Fraser, Operations Manager of R.J. Noble Company, is a longtime member of the Environmental Committee and also a member of the association’s Executive Committee. He championed the creation of the “Environmental Survival Fund” that enabled the association to secure the services of specialized scientists and other experts when needed to respond to a regulatory challenge. His company has hosted numerous CalAPA® Environmental Committee meetings at his Orange facility.

“It has been an honor to be involved with the environmental leaders in our industry,” Fraser said. “The knowledge passed between its members has been an invaluable resource to the companies who participate. This committee keeps us up-to-date with the ever-changing regulatory requirements throughout the state, and gives light to asphalt as the greenest, most sustainable and eco-friendly pavement around.” The activities of the committee are reported at each CalAPA® Board of Directors meeting, and the committee generates numerous technical “white papers” sent to CalAPA® members in the form of CalAPA® “Member Alerts.” Other environmental, health and safety updates are sprinkled into CalAPA® publications throughout the year, including articles in California Asphalt magazine – one issue per year is devoted entirely

to environmental-related topics -- and the association’s “California Asphalt Insider” electronic newsletter. In that way, members who cannot make the regular meetings still have access to high-quality information shared by the committee. One of those fans is Terry McGill, General Manager of Operations for the R.J. Noble Company. He said recently, “I would like to personally thank the Environmental Committee, the Asphalt Insider Newsletter, and California Asphalt magazine for keeping us informed, and being a voice for our Industry. You all are a great asset to asphalt. Keep up the great work!” Ken Barker, Environmental Manager for Sully-Miller Contracting, has been participating in Environmental Committee activities since the early 2000s. [ Continued on page 12 ]

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California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

Left: Scott Taylor, Taylor Environmental Services (left) and Scott Fraser, R.J. Noble Company at a CalAPA®Environmental Committee meeting at R.J. Noble in Orange. Middle: Bill Knopf, CalAPA® (left) and Scott Folwarko of Valero at the Southern California Air Quality Management District meeting in Southern California.

[ Continued from page 11 ]

“The CalAPA® Environmental Committee is my primary source for useful environmental data for asphalt operations,” he said. “I would hate to lead an Environmental Department with blinders on. You need to be ahead of the curve if you have any hope of staying ahead of these regulations, and the committee helps us do that.” He also highlighted the educational aspect of what the committee does with regard to regulatory agencies. “CalAPA®, and the Environmental Committee, play an invaluable role in keeping the regulatory agencies informed of our needs and concerns.” In some instances, CalAPA® partners with other entities and organizations, such as the California Construction & Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA), to advocate with the Legislature and regulatory agencies on areas of mutual interest. For example, CalAPA® backed a bill sponsored by CalCIMA in 2011, AB812, authored by then-Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, to encourage Caltrans to utilize higher percentages of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in pavement mixes. More recently, CalCIMA and CalAPA® teamed up to engage with CalRecycle on rule-making with regard to AB901 (Gordon), 12

a comprehensive recycling law, to secure favorable language changes that relieved companies from onerous reporting requirements. CalAPA® and CalCIMA also teamed up earlier this year to engage the California Air Resources Board with regard to rule-making to implement AB617, a community air monitoring law. CARB agreed to make changes recommended by the two trade associations, in joint letters, that eliminated duplicative reporting requirements that could have cost plants an estimated $5,000 per plant, per year, in administrative costs to comply. The two associations, along with other construction trade associations representing general contractors, have coordinated advocacy efforts with CARB with regard to on-road and off-road diesel equipment emission regulations, and also on-going engagement with the California State Water Quality Control Board over construction and industrial general permit requirements governing stormwater runoff. Adam Harper, Director of Policy Analysis for CalCIMA, noted that the active engagement of environmental, health and safety professionals from among member companies is essential to effectively representing the industry.

“The functional value and benefits of utilizing committees comprised of the workers and specialists who will implement regulatory and legislative actions on the ground and at the plant sites cannot be overstated in evaluating and commenting on policy impacts in a state as complex and diverse as California,” Harper said. “It is always a pleasure working with the CalAPA® Environment Committee on shared policy challenges across the state.” One thing is for certain – in a state like California, there will always be another issue to address, a challenge to overcome, or a new innovation to implement in the ongoing industry commitment to be considerate neighbors and active protectors of the environment. CA REFERENCE: Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc., et al. v. All American Asphalt, et al., Consent Judgment entered on April 27, 2005. Russell W. Snyder, CAE, is executive director of the California Asphalt Pavement Association and provides staff support to the CalAPA® Environmental Committee.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

The following CalAPA® member companies have made voluntary contributions to the association’s “Environmental Survival Fund,” which helps fund expert consulting services, research and scientific tests as needed to respond to community or regulatory inquiries. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Angus Asphalt, Inc. Anrak Corporation AQUA Patch Road Materials, LLC Asphalt Consulting Services, Inc. Biondi Paving and Engineering, Inc. Black Diamond Asphalt, Inc. BoDean Co., Inc. BOMAG California Commercial Asphalt (CCA) CEI Enterprises, Inc. Champion Paving, Inc. Collaborative Aggregates, LLC Commercial Paving & Coating Consolidated Industrial Services, Inc. CRM Co., LLC D’ Ambra Equipment & Supply Co., Inc. Dan Copp Crushing Corp. Dependable Petroleum Products, Inc. DeSilva Gates Aggregates Diversified Asphalt Products George Reed, Inc. Ghilotti Construction Granite Construction Inc. Graniterock Company Griffith Company Hardy & Harper, Inc. Herrmann Equipment, Inc. Holliday Rock Co., Inc.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

InstroTek, Inc. Kenco Engineering, Inc. Knife River Construction Marathon Petroleum Company Martin Brothers Construction MCK Services Mission Paving and Sealing, Inc. National Blending Co/Nor Cal Blending O.C. Jones & Sons Papich Construction Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc. R.J. Noble Company Reed & Graham, Inc. RMA Group, Inc. Road Science a division of ArrMaz San Joaquin Refining Co., Inc. Sequoia Consultants, Inc. SITECH NorCal Southland Paving, Inc. Stansteel Asphalt Plant Products Sully-Miller Contracting Taylor Environmental Services, Inc. Teichert Aggregates Terra Pave, Inc. Top Grade Construction, Inc. Valero Marketing & Supply Vance Corporation World Oil Corporation

Q&A with

Joseph Shacat Director of Sustainable Pavements, NAPA

By Russell W. Snyder

Editor’s Note: As Director of Sustainable Pavements for the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), Joseph Shacat works to advance sustainability within the asphalt industry. Prior to his current position at NAPA, hews the Environmental Compliance Manager for Grace Pacific LLC, an asphalt paving and construction materials company based in Honolulu, for nine years. His career has focused on improving environmental performance in the construction industry through cooperation with government agencies and active engagement with nonprofits and industry associations. He has served on numerous boards and leadership positions in both a professional and personal capacity, including the State of Hawai‘i Environmental Council, Honolulu Clean Cities, the Hawai‘i Yacht Racing Association, and the Waikīkī Yacht Club.Shacat attended Miami University (Ohio), where he majored in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in philosophy and environmental science. He subsequently earned an MS degree in Oceanography and an Executive MBA from the University of Hawai‘i. While studying and working in academia, his research efforts included trace metal geochemistry in Antarctic lakes and the northwest Pacific Ocean, design and engineering of a cabled ocean observing system, and business strategy for a vertically integrated certified organic coffee farm located in Kona, Hawai‘i.

California Asphalt Magazine: How long has NAPA had a “Director of Sustainable Pavements” position? Joseph Shacat: This position was first created in 2013, although it was vacant for over a year after my predecessor, Heather Dylla, left NAPA to work for the Federal Highway Administration. CAM: What does your position entail? JS: The position has three major focus areas: (1) Advocating for the industry to ensure external stakeholders, such as owner agencies and green construction rating systems, recognize the sustainable advantages of asphalt pavements. (2) Advancing the industry’s sustainability efforts through research and implementation of new technologies, materials, and methods related to asphalt mix production and construction. (3) Educating the industry about the important role they have in promoting and advancing the sustainability of asphalt pavements. CAM: Why did NAPA conclude that such a position was important for our industry? JS: The asphalt pavement industry has a long track record of outstanding environmental and social performance — from the use of recycled materials, to reducing emissions, to worker health and safety. But with an increased focus on sustainability from public and private owners alike, as well as an emphasis on sustainability

Joseph Shacat

Director of Sustainable Pavements

from competitive materials, there came a need for NAPA to have a more focused effort to support the industry’s long-term strategy. CAM: What is a “sustainable pavement”? JS: An asphalt pavement, of course! There are many definitions of sustainability in general, and numerous interpretations of how the concept applies to pavements. Ultimately, sustainability is contextsensitive, so it’s counter-productive to have a one-size-fits-all approach. NAPA’s recent publication series Sustainable Asphalt Pavements: A Practical Guide has a useful definition that can be summarized as a pavement that meets human needs while maintaining a healthy planet over the long term by (1) going above-and-beyond the standard/ [ Continued on page 16 ]

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

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[ Continued from page 14 ]

minimum and (2) showing innovation in meeting standards/minimums. CAM: Is the goal to highlight the issue so that we can be more sustainable? JS: The goal is to ensure that asphalt pavements contribute to a prosperous, sustainable society, and to ensure that owner agencies know that asphalt pavements are a means to achieve their sustainability objectives. CAM: What are some of the key sustainable attributes of asphalt pavements today? JS: An exhaustive list would take up more space than you have here, but the most visible ones are performance, such as smoothness and durability; recyclability and the use of reclaimed, recycled, and waste materials; reduced mix production energy through the use of WMA; long-life Perpetual Pavement designs; and optimized construction practices that minimize motorists’ disruption and delay. All of these contribute to a reduced carbon footprint while offering a long-term value proposition to pavement owners. CAM: What are some opportunities for improving our sustainability in the future? JS: Even though asphalt pavement is the most recycled material in America, there remain opportunities to increase the average percentage of RAP in pavements. Caltrans is already a leader in some key sustainability initiatives, such as using long-life asphalt Perpetual Pavement designs and investigating the use of low rolling resistance pavements to improve vehicle fuel efficiency. As these efforts come into broader use, other opportunities will come to the fore. Some examples include the use of Thinlays to improve pavement smoothness and thus fuel economy,

wider implementation of porous asphalt pavements for stormwater management, and even creative construction scheduling methods to speed work and minimize delay for drivers. CAM: What are some of the challenges we face to becoming more sustainable? JS: From a materials and construction perspective, one of the biggest challenges is getting past prescriptive specifications and moving toward performance-based specifications. This would accelerate innovation while also addressing owners’ concerns about the risk of failure. The balanced mix design approach holds a lot of promise in this area. Another significant challenge is that we don’t fully understand how various pavement properties affect rolling resistance. A better understanding of rolling resistance may lead to substantial improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency and associated carbon emissions. CAM: What research is in the pipeline that will inform our thinking on this front? JS: (1) There is a growing research and education effort to support the adoption of balanced mix design, which will allow agencies and industry to make the leap to performance-based specifications. (2) The effective use of rejuvenators and other techniques that will allow for the use of higher RAP contents. (3) Fundamental research into the impact pavement rolling resistance has on vehicle fuel efficiency. (4) Efforts from some agencies, including Caltrans, to develop life cycle assessment (LCA) tools to evaluate the environmental impacts of pavements from cradle to cradle in support of a circular economy. Some of the LCA tools under development will incorporate mix-specific data from environmental product declarations (EPDs).

CAM: How are public agencies helping to drive the sustainability movement? JS: Public agencies have a major role in advancing the sustainability of pavements. To a degree, they are gate keepers who can embrace or limit innovations that improve sustainability. One recent example is the rapid, widespread adoption of warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technologies, which was enabled by agencies across the country adopting specifications that either allow or, in some cases, require WMA. Many agencies are actively pursuing specifications that allow higher RAP contents or that employ a Perpetual Pavement design philosophy. Some agencies, particularly in California, are adopting LCA approaches to their transportation assets, including pavements. CAM: What about private owners? How important is sustainability to them? JS: Private owners are driven by a combination of cost, aesthetics, regulatory requirements, and public sentiment. For example, many areas around the country are adopting green infrastructure requirements to improve water quality and reduce the urban heat island effect. Nearly all these requirements promote the use of permeable pavements. In many cases, porous asphalt is a costeffective pavement solution. Many private owners are also turning to third-party verification of a project’s sustainability through green rating systems, such as LEED. Over the past few years, there has been substantial growth in the number of green rating systems being used, creating a complicated array of requirements for mix producers and contractors to keep up with. But there are also opportunities for contractors to market the sustainable attributes of asphalt [ Continued on page 18 ]

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

Infrastructure

Innovation

Solutions

CLEANCOR LNG LLC CLEANCOR LNG provides natural gas fuel to both mobile and stationary asphalt plants that do not have an existing natural gas pipeline available. CLEANCOR LNG, as part of its full turnkey solutions for both permanent and temporary asphalt plants, will supply, if necessary, all of the LNG storage and vaporization equipment, including telemetry systems, tank level systems and all safety systems, as well as temporary power generation equipment during the transition. CLEANCOR LNG will work with the asphalt company and the relevant air district to complete the appropriate changes to the air permits before the transition to LNG takes place. Any additional permitting for permanent equipment is also handled by CLEANCOR LNG. A temporary mobile system can be used while permits for permanent storage tanks and other equipment are being processed. This allows the asphalt plant to start operating on LNG as soon as the equipment is installed. CLEANCOR LNG mission is to promote the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a variety of industry segments. CLEANCOR LNG is a business unit of CLEANCOR ENERGY SOLUTIONS, a division of SEACOR Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CKH). If you would like to learn more about how LNG can make a difference for your business, including the easy transition from propane or diesel fuel to LNG, please contact Scott Johns by phone (949) 294-9435 or email at SJohns@CleancorEnergy.com.

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[ Continued from page 16 ]

pavements that help owners earn credits in green rating systems. CAM: California is seen by many as a bellwether state as it relates to environmental issues and regulations. How are we viewed by the rest of the country? JS: Many states look to California as a leader in environmental protection and regulatory requirements. The challenge for sustainability is to effectively demonstrate and communicate the value proposition both for owner agencies and producers. This is true whether your state leans toward market- or regulation-based policies. CAM: What environmental-related trends that have started in California do you think are likely to migrate to other states? JS: The Caltrans EPD policy, which aims to require EPDs for all pavement materials over the next couple of years, is the most significant policy change. Several states appear to be closely watching California’s efforts to incorporate EPDs into the procurement process. CAM: NAPA and CalAPA® have collaborated on Environmental Product Declarations, including holding a joint educational “webinar” earlier this year. What do you see ahead for EPDs? JS: While EPDs are relatively straightforward, it can be difficult for agencies to understand what kind of decisions can and should be made using the information in an EPD. Looking into my crystal ball, I would expect to see agencies start by simply collecting EPDs for informational purposes. The data collected will be used to inform and develop their internal LCA processes, which could eventually lead to some sort decision-making based on the environmental impacts reported in an EPD.

CAM: NAPA has an Emerald Eco-Label tool to assist our industry in developing EPDs. How has the response to that tool been so far? JS: In general, I would say the demand for EPDs is driving the use of the tool. While the Emerald Eco-Label is a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-use tool for assessing the sustainability of a plant’s operations and the mixes it produces, most contractors are waiting for the demand for EPDs to materialize from their customers. As most mix producers own more than one plant, our recommendation is that a company purchase access for one of their plants even if the demand isn’t there yet. That way they can develop an EPD for their most common mix and publish it on the Emerald Eco-Label website giving customers who do want EPDs a way to easily find them. CAM: What are some other sustainable “best practices” for our industry that you have seen? JS: A lot of the major ones have already been mentioned here, but there is a wealth of useful information in NAPA’s four-volume Sustainability in Practice series entitled Sustainable Asphalt Pavements: A Practical Guide. The reports and accompanying webinars can be downloaded for free at www.AsphaltPavement.org/ PracticalGuide. CAM: Do you have any advice for companies that want to be at the forefront of sustainability? JS: The best thing to do is to get involved with NAPA’s Sustainability Committee. This committee offers many opportunities to better understand the tools and educational resources available for the asphalt pavement industry, as well as to help shape the industry’s strategic priorities and overall direction as the demand for more sustainable solutions grows.

CAM: NAPA works collaboratively with CalAPA® and other state asphalt pavement associations. How important is that relationship and how does it benefit our industry? JS: Ongoing cooperation and collaboration between NAPA and the state asphalt pavement associations is critical. The asphalt industry is constantly under attack by representatives of other pavement materials, who have launched significant marketing and lobbying efforts. We need to work together to prevent our market share from being eroded by these competitive threats. Sustainability is just one area where asphalt has a significant advantage, and we need to make that known. We have a compelling story to tell, we just need to do a better job of communicating the benefits that asphalt brings from an economic, environmental, and social perspective. CAM: Anything else you would like to add? JS: One area not covered here but that we’re seeing a lot of interest in is resiliency. Agencies are putting a lot of effort into developing plans around resilient infrastructure. The draft highway transportation bill moving through the U.S. Senate has nearly $2 billion in funding to improve the resiliency of transportation assets. Asphalt pavements offer a number of advantages that can help communities mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and withstand changing environmental conditions associated with climate change. NAPA is working to better define resiliency as it applies to asphalt pavements. Keep an eye out for future developments in this area. CA Interview conducted by Russell W. Snyder, CAE, executive director, California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA®).

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

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California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

Latest of CARB rules on community air monitoring removes onerous reporting language By Russell W. Snyder

CalAPA® Environmental Committee Co-Chair Scott Taylor, president of Taylor Environmental Services, presented on AB617related issues at the CalAPA® Spring Asphalt Pavement Conference in Ontario. He is holding up an inexpensive air monitor that can be set up by any homeowner in a matter of minutes and will publish non-analyzed data directly to the internet without any scientific scrutiny or context.

he California Air Resources Board (CARB), in the latest version of its proposed rules to implement the AB617 Community Air Protection Program, has dropped some of the most onerous reporting requirements opposed by industry. According to CARB, the goal of the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP) is to "reduce exposure in communities most impacted by air pollution." For the past year the agency has been developing detailed rules to implement the program triggered by AB617, a bill introduced in the Legislature two years ago by Assemblywoman Christina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens (58th Assembly District). The bill, which was signed into law by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, requires CARB, working with local air districts, to develop a uniform statewide system of annual monitoring and reporting of emissions from stationary sources, with criminal and civil penalties for non-compliance, and support the formation of local community air boards. An AB617 resource web page is on the CARB website. Some key features of AB617 include:

•

Identification of adversely communities impacted by air pollution.

•

Developing a statewide air monitoring plan (rather than regional plans that are in place now).

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Creating district and community-operated networks.

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Publishing data collected by facilities and citizens statewide on the internet.

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Developing state and district emission reduction strategies.

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Creation of a statewide BACT/BARCT Clearinghouse ("Best Available Control Technology / Best Available Retrofit Control Technology").

•

Development of system to input new determinations on BARCT.

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A uniform system of statewide emissions reporting.

•

Development of a statewide pollution mapping tool.

Air district regulators say they want to avoid duplicative reporting to CARB and local air districts, but industry raised concerns about the scope of the initial proposed reporting requirements, which industry maintained went far beyond the original intent of AB617 and could create duplication, complexity and confusion. [ Continued on page 22 ]

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

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CARB scheduled a series of public workshops to gather public input on the implementation plan. In testimony delivered to the agency in March, CalAPA® warned that proposed new reporting requirements and thresholds "will create confusion, disruption and bureaucratic hardships for local agencies as well as businesses." Further, CalAPA® said, "Onerous reporting and record-keeping provisions divert resources from ongoing and successful efforts to implement engineering controls and best-management practices that have achieved steady emissions reductions over the years." By one estimate, the new reporting requirements could cost companies upwards of $5,000 per asphalt plant per year to be in compliance. As somewhat of a surprise to state regulators, local air districts also expressed deep reservations about the proposed regulations. CalAPA® later joined the California Construction & Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA) at meetings with CARB officials and on joint comment letters during the rule-making process. A June 7 joint letter by the two associations stated that an earlier version of the regulations "would impose significant costs to materials producers and air districts" and ultimately will “misinform the public should they attempt to compare data across incompatible air district systems. The resulting confusion certain to be created, is the exact opposite of the original intent of AB617, the two associations said.

On July 17, CARB released its most recent version of the AB617 rule-making text with a 15-day comment period, with some of the most objectionable language deleted or mitigated. CalAPA® members have reacted favorably to the latest changes, and the association communicated that in an Aug. 1 joint letter to CARB. While noting the deletion of the most onerous "Additional Applicability" requirements in the current draft of the regulations, CARB staff noted that it "intends to consider including these additional applicability categories and sources in a future rule-making update." “Our industry was on the same side as the local air districts on this issue,” said Scott Cohen of Sespe Consulting, co-chair of CalAPA®’s Environmental Committee. “I think they heard us. It was going to be a huge waste of money. But all’s well that ends well. We ended up with the result that was mandated by the law that was passed by the Legislature.” For more detailed information and resources with regard to this issue, CalAPA® members should refer to a "Member Alert" that was sent to all members on March 1. The association will continue to update members on AB617-related issues as developments warrant. The association extends its gratitude to the CalAPA® Environmental Committee and the many members who attended workshops, delivered testimony and otherwise engaged the air board on this issue. CA Russell W. Snyder, CAE, is executive director of the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA®).

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

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California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

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Methods of Compliance through the Hierarchy of Controls By Natalie Pless, Special to California Asphalt

In California Asphalt magazine's volume 22, issue 4 we published an article about respirable crystalline silica, where we discussed the who, what, when, where and why of assessing employee exposure. Moving forward, we will be discussing Methods of Compliance through the Hierarchy of Controls. NIOSH defines the five key components of the Hierarchy of Controls as: Elimination; physically removing the hazard, Substitution; replacing the hazard, Engineering Controls; isolating workers from the hazard, Administration Controls; changing the way people work and, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), protection for the employee. Eliminating a hazard may not be an option for some companies in relation to respirable dust but, if the option is available it is an option that must be chosen. Substitution of a less hazardous process or substance for example would be, while sand-blasting, use a non-silica containing abrasive material to prevent elevated levels of respirable silica dust. Elimination and substitution should be ruled out before moving on to engineering controls. Engineering controls are created to prevent hazards from being generated or, possibly reduce or limit exposure of the hazard. Every workplace is unique therefore, every control put in place is designed for a specific process or piece of equipment and may involve several methods used together. Engineering controls and work practice controls should be 24

allocated by an employer to reduce the risk of an over exposure of respirable crystalline silica to or below the permissible exposure level (PEL). These controls must be adequately maintained so, the hazard of silica and respirable dust no longer pose a threat to an employee. Engineering controls are methods designed to get as close to eliminating the hazard as possible, without eliminating it. This is done by designing something into the facility, piece of equipment, or procedures themselves to reduce the hazard or the employee’s exposure to it. Engineering controls such as installing a water hose to wet down dust at the point of generation, installing dust collection systems onto machines or equipment that generate dust, dust ventilation systems, saws that provide water to the blade and, during rock drilling, flowing water through the drill stem. Table One, listed in OSHA’s construction standard 29 CFR 1926.1153, can

be used for both general industry and construction as a reference point for engineering controls. Engineering controls work best when used in conjunction with administrative controls. Examples of administrative controls would be: Labeling; Safety labels such as warning signs, exit signs and personnel protection equipment (PPE) signs are all examples of administrative controls. They do not eliminate a hazard, but they are a reminder that there is danger in a specific area, Training; An employer can put as many engineering and administrative controls in as needed but, all the controls would be pointless without training. If employees are not trained on how to comply with “new” safety requirements, the controls will be bypassed, Maintenance and housekeeping; keeping a facility clean and maintained by dislodging build up on filters, replacing bags in a bag house or emptying out a vacuum that was

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

used for dust control can prevent an accumulation of silica containing dust throughout a facility, and Worker isolation. After considering the PEL and Action Level (AL) data that is required by OSHA, employee rotation is also a method to limit time spent in an area for respirable dust. These controls cannot reduce the hazard alone but, provide knowledge for employees that are exposed to respirable silica dust. After every engineering and administration control measure has been implemented and practices, respirators may be required to ensure workers are protected. PPE is the last defense in limiting the exposure of respirable silica dust. Respirators should only be used when dust control methods cannot keep dust levels below the recommended

exposure levels. If respirators are distributed, training should be available for employees to ensure that workers know how to properly use, clean and store the PPE. There are several distinct types of respirators available so, Fit Testing should be incorporated with training to ensure workers know how to properly wear their issued respirator. If controls cannot lower exposure levels below the PEL, the standard requires employees to continue the use of these controls to lesson the silica content in the air and maintain the lowest feasible level. After maintaining the lowest feasible level of dust, OSHA then requires the use of a respiratory protection plan. A written exposure control plan should include a minimum of, a description of the tasks that involve exposures to respirable

crystalline silica, a description of the controls; engineering, work practices and/or respiratory protection, for each of the affected tasks used to limit exposure and a description of the housekeeping practices to limit the employeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exposure to respirable crystalline silica. A designated competent person should be designated to inspect sites and implement the plan. The standard calls for an annual review and evaluation of the effectiveness of this written plan and needs to also be readily available for review upon request. CA Article by Natalie Pless of Westward Environmental, Inc., an environmental and engineering consulting firm. Reprinted with permission. The Westward Environmental, Inc., website is: www.westwardenv.com

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California Asphalt Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ 2019 Environmental Issue

A primer on LNG as a fuel source for the asphalt industry in California By Scott Johns

“No matter how good you get,” says golfing great Tiger Woods, “you can always get better.” That spirit of continuous improvement is what separates the best asphalt manufacturers from the rest of the pack in today’s highly competitive California asphalt marketplace, as well as in asphalt markets across the country. The need for operational improvement is compelling a growing number of asphalt manufacturers to consider liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel their stationary and temporary asphalt production facilities, which formerly operated on propane, diesel, recycled fuel oil or waste oil, including hot oil heaters and power generators. These manufacturers have learned that LNG holds a number of competitive advantages over traditional fuels, in particular diesel and propane. For those not so familiar with LNG as a fuel option, here are four key points to consider: 1. LNG is More Sustainable Than Other Fuels California has by far the strictest environmental standards in the country and its regulations often set the tone for other states. Compliance with these environmental regulations by the state’s asphalt manufacturers requires constant vigilance and significant resources. That is why the sustainability aspects of LNG are so appealing to the asphalt industry. There is a direct correlation between the complexity of a fossil fuel and its emissions levels. Simply put, the more complex the fuel, the higher the emissions levels. 26

Above: CLEANCOR LNG provides mobile liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply with its portable and quick response natural gas solutions.

Diesel fuel has a high degree of complexity. It consists of a mix of long-chained carbons, with sulfur and other molecules attached. As a result of this complexity, diesel fuel emits 99 percent more sulfur oxides, 80 percent more nitrogen oxide and 40 percent more carbon dioxide than LNG. Propane is complex as well, although not as complex as diesel. It is made up of three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms. In its purified state, propane carbon dioxide emissions are approximately 16 to 20 percent higher than LNG. Importantly, not all propane gas is pure. Propane that is not pure has an even more complex string of byproduct fuels, each with their own emissions levels that are even higher than purified propane. LNG is the simplest hydrocarbon – one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. It is also 97 to 99 percent pure methane, which clearly makes it the cleanest burning, most sustainable of the three fuels commonly used in asphalt plants. Importantly, because

LNG is the cleanest burning fuel, it does not require extensive testing or permitting, making the air quality permit process much easier for LNG than for diesel and propane. 2. LNG Users Minimize Risk Asphalt manufacturers who fuel their plants with LNG also gain an edge over their competitors when it comes to managing risk. Propane, a heavy fuel due to the carbon in it, is extremely hazardous when spilled until fully mixed with surrounding air, which could take time to disperse into the atmosphere. In the interim, an ignition source combined with the presence of propane in a low area or corner of an asphalt plant can create an extremely hazardous fire and/or explosion situation for employees, first responders and others at the scene. Diesel fuel spills are another case in point. Depending on the amount spilled, they could require a full HAZMAT response team and could contaminate the soil in the area, requiring a costly removal and cleanup process. [ Continued on page 28 ]

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

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Left: CLEANCOR LNG installing vertical LNG storage tanks for an asphalt customer at a permanent location in California. Right: CLEANCOR LNG mobile equipment setup for a temporary asphalt plant in Northern California.

[ Continued from page 26 ]

In clear contrast to propane and diesel from a risk management perspective is LNG. Because LNG is lighter than air and acts like helium in its gaseous state, it is non-hazardous when spilled, quickly evaporating and dissipating harmlessly into the atmosphere. 3. LNG Has Price Stability Thanks to an abundance of natural gas in the United States, LNG is relatively price stable. Prices typically vary by no more than a few cents per gallon over the course of a year. In fact, LNG pricing has consistently been under a dollar per gallon throughout the year for the past five years, with a dip in pricing in each of those years during the primary paving season from April to October. In contrast, propane and diesel prices can vary by as much as a dollar or more per gallon in a 12-month period in some circumstances. LNG price stability is important for three reasons. First, it simplifies the bidding process because there are no wide swings in fuel prices. Second, LNG price stability enables a more accurate determination of cost per ton of asphalt, which is a key to winning Department of Transportation (DOT) contracts. Third, asphalt producers who fuel their plants with LNG can offer customers consistent pricing 28

throughout the year, which is a competitive advantage. 4. Using LNG Reduces Maintenance Costs Cleaning baghouses in asphalt plants is tedious, dirty and expensive in terms of both plant downtime and the cost of the bags. Typically, asphalt plants fueled by propane and diesel need to replace bags as often as every eight or nine months. That is not the case with LNG. Because it is so clean burning, plants fueled by LNG can go as long as two years before bag replacement becomes necessary, saving both time and money. Fast and Easy Transition to LNG Asphalt manufacturers are finding that transitioning to LNG as a fuel source in both stationary and temporary asphalt plants is fast, easy and user friendly. The process begins with a thorough evaluation by CLEANCOR LNG of the site or sites involved. The evaluation, which takes approximately two hours, is designed to determine answers to many questions. What fuel or fuels are being used at each location and in what applications? Does the plant have a dual fuel gas train if it is operating on diesel or waste fuel or will one need to be installed? Are the burners already equipped to operate on natural gas or will a conversion be required? How many

tons per year of asphalt is the plant producing? How many tons per hour can the plant generate? Where will the LNG storage tanks be located? How long will the plant be at its current location? Does the plant have adequate power supply or is a generator the primary power source? The LNG transition process can be scheduled any time there is an available window in the plant’s production schedule. CLEANCOR LNG can complete the entire mechanical transition in as little as four to six hours. During the transition, plant managers simply coordinate with the maintenance department to dial in the burner to the appropriate oxygen content during commissioning or tweak the burner to run efficiently with the cleaner fuel source. Winning in Today’s Competitive Marketplace Operational excellence is a critical element in winning in today’s highly competitive asphalt marketplace. Switching to LNG as a fuel source is clearly an opportunity for California asphalt producers and others to fine tune their operations and distinguish themselves from the competition. It is an opportunity that is there for the taking. CA Scott Johns is president of CLEANCOR LNG LLC and a CalAPA® member.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

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California Asphalt Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ 2019 Environmental Issue

Scott Taylor

P: (714) 587-2595 Ex 101 C: (562) 762-5142 scott.taylor@tayloresinc.com

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www.tayloresinc.com CALENDAR UPDATE CalAPA® ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Date: Sept. 12, 2019 Temecula Creek Inn 44501 Rainbow Canyon Rd., Temecula FALL ASPHALT PAVEMENT CONFERENCE Date: Wed. & Thur., Nov. 6-7, 2019 Hilton Sacramento Arden West 2200 Harvard St. Sacramento Meeting dates are subject to change. Watch the weekly Asphalt Insider newsletter for meeting updates or call CalAPA® at (916) 791-5044 to confirm meeting date and location. California Asphalt Magazine • 2019 Environmental Issue

NIXON-EGLI EQUIPMENT CO.,

LEEBOY AND TIERRA CONTRACTING, INC. Tierra Contracting, Inc was established in 1978, and they specialize in pipeline installation for underground utilities. Their underground services include water, sewer, storm drain, and electrical pipeline construction. With offices in Santa Barbara, Tierra Contracting, Inc. works primarily in the tri-county area of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties. Blair Douglas is the president of Tierra Contracting Inc., and oversees all of the company operations, including purchasing and maintaining the construction equipment fleet. “Fixing or replacing Above: Tierra Contracting using their brand new LeeBoy 8515E paving machine underground utilities often includes purchased from Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. the removal of asphalt roadway sections,” says Douglas. “We like to self-perform all of our work whenever possible, and that includes paving over the asphalt sections that we remove to replace the underground utilities. We purchased a Vogele Super 700 paving machine several years back; however, as projects began requiring the removal of larger pavement sections, we decided to purchase a new LeeBoy 8515E to handle the greater widths.” Douglas explains that although the Vogele Super 700 is an excellent paver, it is limited to a six-foot screed width. “It was time to acquire a new paver with a larger screed, and we knew that we would go right back to the company that we relied on and trusted when we bought our Vogele paver,” says Douglas. “Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. provided us with a brand new LeeBoy 8515E paver with an wider screed. Not only has this machine made the replacement of wider asphalt sections easier and more convenient, it has also opened up new markets with full paving project opportunities. This includes new asphalt construction, rehabilitation, and replacement projects.” Tierra Contracting’s Nixon-Egli sales representative is John Greaney. “This was my first time working with John since our other sales rep recently retired,” says Douglas. John was there for us through the entire transaction and spent the whole day getting us familiar with the new LeeBoy paver. He knows his stuff and shared his knowledge with our operators in getting them familiar with the features and controls of the LeeBoy 8515E.” The new LeeBoy 8515E features a sliding control station with a clear and comfortable view. It also came with a class-leading tunnel size and self-cleaning conveyor bar and built to perform at the highest levels. “We love our new LeeBoy and have had nothing but great experiences with Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. over the years,” says Douglas. “Their entire team has been there for us whether we need parts, service repairs, maintenance advice, or help with financing. We have always appreciated Nixon-Egli’s attention to detail and prompt, friendly service.”