In 2007, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) set in motion strict off-road diesel emissions rules that could have had long-range impact on contractors and equipment suppliers. When the recession hit the state particularly hard, the CARB rules, based data that was questioned from the outset, seemed unfair and costly. Officials estimated the equipment replacements and upgrades would cost billions of dollars.
Enter Michael Kennedy, the Associated General Contractors of America’s general counsel. In a two-year journey filled with sometimes contentious board and private meetings, Kennedy took the industry’s lead in addressing the issue and negotiating a compromise, which occurred on Oct. 8 and was confirmed by CARB on Dec. 16. Due to the recession, the rules have been revised and now are based on far lower estimates of off-road diesel-equipment emissions. Plus, the start of requirements will be delayed until Jan. 1, 2014.