California Asphalt Pavement Association
Vol. 15, Issue 35 || Aug. 29, 2022
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Greetings!
This weekly report contains news and information of interest to the asphalt pavement industry, customers and agency partners in California. Please feel free to distribute this newsletter to others who may be interested in asphalt pavements. To provide feedback or story ideas click HERE. Having difficulty viewing this newsletter? View as Webpage
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CARB approves sweeping ban on sale of new gas-powered cars in California by 2035; bumpy road to implementation expected |
As expected, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) last week enacted sweeping new regulations that will ban the sale of gasoline-powered cars in California by 2035. The road to a zero-emission future, however, is expected to be bumpy.
The mandate means vehicle manufacturers will be forced to phase out gasoline- and diesel-powered cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks in favor of non-polluting versions that run on electricity or fuel cells. Mobile sources are the single-largest contributor to air pollution in California. CARB projects the mandate will result in a 25% reduction in air pollution from the mobile sector by 2037.
The Aug. 25 CARB action in Sacramento is intended to further stimulate the market for zero-emission vehicles in California, already the largest EV market in the nation. CARB says there are 1.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the road in the Golden State, representing 43% of the nation's total. CARB also said it expects other states to mirror its new regulations. The official CARB announcement about the mandate is HERE.
The reaction by auto manufacturers to the ruling was somewhat muted. Many have also announced their own ZEV goals, and the mandate does not apply to heavy trucks that run on diesel fuel until 2045. The regulation does not ban ownership of gas-powered vehicles, although CARB anticipates as those vehicles age and are taken off the road air quality will steadily improve.
Despite the growing popularity of EVs in the state, "California's EV sale mandates are still very aggressive -- even in California with decades of supportive EV policies -- and will be extremely challenging. That's just a fact," said John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based Alliance for Automotive Innovation. "Why? Whether or not these requirements are realistic or achievable is directly linked to external factors like inflation, charging and fuel infrastructure, supply chains, labor, critical mineral availability and pricing, and the ongoing semiconductor shortage. These are complex, intertwined and global issues well beyond the control of either CARB or the auto industry."
"So," he added, "the questions policymakers should be asking: Are critical mineral and battery supply chains in place? Will the critical mineral mining and processing happen in the U.S.? Can customers afford the vehicles? Do all communities have access to level 2 home charging as single-family homeowners? Resolving these questions will determine the ultimate success of the California regulations and the EV transformation."
What the mandate will do to the market for new and used cars and trucks in California is anybody's guess. But a recent example may provide a preview.
In 2009, President Obama signed into law the "Car Allowance Rebate System" (CARS), which popularly became known as the "cash for clunkers" program. Administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the program was designed to encourage people to trade in older, less fuel-efficient (and higher polluting) vehicles for newer models. The impetus behind the program, as the country was mired in a deep recession, was to stimulate new car sales while also improving air quality. Later analysis of the short-lived program, however, found that it created shortages of used vehicles and drove prices higher, adversely impacting low-income groups. The benefits to air quality was deemed to be negligible.
Electric vehicle infrastructure was prominently featured in the bipartisan $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) that passed Congress last year. Now the race is on to get the infrastructure in place in advance of the EVs expected to arrive in the marketplace, and on the road, in the years ahead.
In anticipation of the CARB action, CalAPA produced an educational webinar series, "The Future of Powering Our Plants and Fleets" in June, and also spotlighted the topic in the current environment-themed issue of CalAPA's association magazine, California Asphalt, which can be accessed on-line HERE. Information on the asphalt industry's net-zero climate initiative, "The Road Forward," can be found HERE.
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News Analysis: An interesting backstory (and Caltrans connection) to the state's new infrastructure 'czar'
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The state's new infrastructure "czar" is a familiar name in California politics: former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Aug. 11 announced that he was naming Villaraigosa to the post of "Infrastructure Advisor to the State of California." The announcement immediately got tongues wagging around the Capitol that Newsom was bringing a political rival into his administration to mute criticism heading into the November elections where the governor, who clearly has presidential aspirations, is seeking a second term. The Los Angeles Times called it a "shrewd political maneuver."
Villaraigosa finished a distant third to Newsom in the 2018 gubernatorial primary. When Newsom faced a recall election last year there reportedly was concern in the Newsom camp that Villaraigosa might emerge as an alternate candidate, but he ultimately did not enter the race. Newsom easily prevailed in the recall election, and polls indicate he is expected to cruise to re-election in November, fueling speculation that he may be looking past the election to a presidential run.
In announcing Villaraigosa's appointment, Newsom also announced California was receiving $120 million in funding for transportation projects related to the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that passed last year. The governor said Villaraigosa would work work with local, state and federal leaders to identify additional projects that could benefit from federal funding.
"Antonio has the extensive experience and relationships to deliver on this promise and bring together the many partners who will be key to our success," Newsom said in a statement. "I look forward to his collaboration with the Administration as we build up communities across California." The official announcement is HERE.
In addition to being a two-term mayor of Los Angeles, and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Villaraigosa served in the Legislature from 1994 to 2000, rising to the post of Majority Whip, and served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 2003 to 2005.
Another little-known transportation-related fact about Villaraigosa was first reported exclusively by the CalAPA Asphalt Insider newsletter in its Nov. 26, 2012 issue: Villaraigosa's mother, Natalia Delgado, once worked for the California Department of Transportation's District 7 regional office in Los Angeles. She died in 1991.
After he left the mayor's office in 2013, Villaraigosa has been unable to parlay his name recognition into another high-profile elected office, so this month's appointment could represent a chance to rehabilitate his standing. It also represents an opportunity to inject some charisma into the staid world of transportation policy the way U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has done at the federal level. Additionally, since both Buttigieg and Villaraigosa are both former mayors, they know first-hand the importance of street-level "pothole politics" to constituents.
From the perspective of the asphalt pavement industry in California, the appointment carries additional significance: the more advocates for infrastructure improvement in California the better.
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CCPR, CIR, FDR are focus of free educational webinar Sept. 7 |
The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), a CalAPA partner, is holding a free educational webinar Sept. 7 delving into Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR), Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) and Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR). Details and on-line registration is HERE.
Interest in the techniques has been growing among agencies seeking alternatives to rehabilitating and reconstructing asphalt pavements. The webinar will introduce the techniques, discuss production and application processes, and provide a case study. The webinar will also showcase how to use the free on-line PAVEXpress and PerRoad software to aid in design.
The featured presenter is Dr. Benjamin F. Bowers, PE, Assistant Professor and Graduate Coordinator: Pavements and Materials, Auburn University Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT.
To learn about other upcoming NAPA webinars, click HERE.
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Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.
SHOVING: Localized displacement of an HMA pavement surface, often caused by high shear stresses associated with vehicle acceleration to deceleration.
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Paving Pointer of the Week |
Each week we highlight a key point or best practice of interest to asphalt paving crews, inspectors and others working in the field. We welcome suggestions. More tips can be found in our "Asphalt Parking Lot Construction Checklist" HERE. Information on the CalAPA "Quality Paving Certificate" program is HERE.
PROJECT BOUNDARIES: Prior to the start of paving, the foreman and crew should "paint out" the boundaries of the project and mark the paving lanes to identify the proper paving sequence.Once paving starts, the inspector must monitor many items, including mix temperature, layer thickness, smoothness, possible mix segregation and joint construction. These are done through observation and utilization of numerous tools, including a straight edge, thermometer and density gauge.
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Each week we highlight a term that is specific to climate-change issues related to the asphalt pavement industry. This feature is intended to raise awareness of the asphalt industry's climate-change initiatives and the specialized terminology that goes with them. More information on "The Road Forward" asphalt industry climate initiative can be found HERE.
RENEWABLE ENERGY: Electricity supplied from renewable sources.
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“Don't count the days, make the days count.”
– Muhammad Ali
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CALAPA CALENDAR:
View all CalAPA events HERE.
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Gourmet food and wine-tasting event
Sept. 21, Pechanga
Resort Casino, Temecula
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Golf Tournament at Journey at Pechanga, Temecula
Sept. 22
Details and on-line registration HERE.
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Registration open!
Fall Asphalt Pavement Conference
Oct. 26-28, 2022
Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento.
For exhibitor and sponsor information, contact Sophie You at (916) 791-5044.
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Topgolf networking event
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Topgolf Sports & Entertainment Complex, 1700 Freedom Way, Roseville, CA
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There's never been a better time to join the California Asphalt Pavement Association! Members receive insight and advanced notice on critical issues that impact every company's bottom line. CalAPA members also receive invitations to exclusive member-only events, in-depth "Member Alerts," our comprehensive asphalt market forecast for California, discounts and industry-specific networking opportunities not available anywhere else. CalAPA's new searchable on-line membership directory helps connect potential customers with member companies. Click HERE to download our Member Service brochure. Click HERE to view Vol. 1 of recent testimonials. Not convinced? Click HERE to view Vol. 2 of recent testimonials. With so much changing in the asphalt pavement industry, what you don't know can cost you! Click HERE to send us an e-mail inquiry, or contact Russell Snyder with CalAPA at (916) 791-5044. |
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We hope you enjoy CalAPA's Asphalt Insider newsletter. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news, analysis, events and trends in California that is of interest to the asphalt pavement industry and our various agency partners. Click HERE to contact us with any comments or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Russell W. Snyder, CAE
Executive Director
California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®
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The "Asphalt Insider" is an official publication of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. For more information or to inquire about membership, call (916) 791-5044, or click HERE to contact us. Copyright © 2022 California Asphalt Pavement Association -- All Rights Reserved. The CalAPA name (No. 5,621,794) and logo (No. 5,621,795) are registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
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P.O. Box 981300, West Sacramento, CA 95798
1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 211, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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