Local and federal bureaucrats are trading barbs about air-quality standards, with the federal government threatening to withhold transportation dollars from California as a consequence.

Southern California has some of the strictest air pollution in the nation, and air quality in the region has improved steadily over the years but still falls behind federal standards for ozone. The South Coast Air Quality Management District prepares plans on what it is doing to further reduce air pollution, although the agency only regulates emissions from stationary sources, such as manufacturing plants. The California Air Resources Board regulates pollution from mobile sources, such as vehicles, and the federal government oversees pollution from other sources, such as ports and interstate commerce. For that reason, the SCAQMD is calling upon the federal government to do its part to reduce pollution in areas it oversees.

In a draft response to the SCAQMD plan, the U.S. EPA pushed back on the SCAQMD proposal and threatened to reject it, which could result in the federal government withholding funds from the state, including transportation dollars.

"The U.S. EPA has failed to rein in emissions under their control and even worse, has no plans in place to address them," the SCAQMD said in a sharply-worded statement. "U.S. EPA's action today, while disappointing, is not surprising given its decades of inertia." The full SCAQMD statement is HERE.

The federal EPA, meanwhile, has announced that it is "proposing full disapproval" of the SCAQMD "Contingency Measure Plan," and said the disapproval could "trigger the offset sanction," which could include the "highway funding sanction" the federal government sometimes uses as a cudgel to get states to comply with federal decrees. The full EPA website on the proposed action is HERE. The federal government is receiving comments on the proposed action through March 4.

With the asphalt pavement industry facing potentially ruinous environmental regulations at every turn, the potential of also losing out on highway funds due to a bureaucratic squabble over unrealistic standards is dripping with irony.

California was once again well-represented last week at the National Asphalt Pavement Association's Annual meeting held in Orlando, Fla. Trends in the nation-state of California were very much on prominent display as the industry seeks to protect and enhance roadway infrastructure while navigating a thicket of environmental regulations, political headwinds and other issues that are buffeting the industry.

CalAPA Past Chairman Jordan Reed (pictured alongside NAPA Vice President Ester Magorka), a NAPA Director, chaired the Western Region meeting that is a platform for issues to be elevated into national policy discussions. CalAPA members were also engaged participants in many committee meetings and educational sessions.

The State Asphalt Pavement Association executives also met in conjunction with the NAPA meeting, and paid tribute to Utah Asphalt Pavement Association Executive Director Reed Ryan, who will be taking the helm at the CalAPA-supported Asphalt Pavement Alliance. Ryan served as chairman of the SAPA group until handing the gavel over to Oregon Asphalt Pavement Association Executive Director John Hickey. CalAPA's Executive Director, Russell Snyder, was named vice chairman of the SAPAs, Kevin Burke from Illinois will serve as Secretary and Erich Ponti from Louisiana will serve as treasurer. Since Ryan is leaving the ranks of the SAPAs, Kevin Monaco from New Jersey will reprise his role as immediate past chairman. A press release about Ryan's new role is HERE. Information about the SAPA group can be found HERE.

In addition to supporting the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, CalAPA is a contributor to the Pavement Economics Committee that funds research related to asphalt with a special emphasis on the long-term performance and value of asphalt pavements.

Buzz Powell, the technical director of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, will be a featured speaker at the CalAPA Spring Asphalt Pavement Conference & Equipment Expo, which will take place March 7-8 in Ontario. Details on the conference can be found HERE. More photos of CalAPA members at the NAPA event can be found on CalAPA's various social media feeds.

The dynamo Women of Asphalt California Branch volunteers continued their campaign of winning hearts and minds of workforce-bound youth by participating in a career day event at Livermore High School in Northern California last week.

Co-Chair Mimi Le with MCK Services spearheaded the event, and the Women of Asphalt California Branch table was packed with displays, literature and fun give-aways. Two lucky teens won gift cards as they learned about the many interesting and rewarding career paths available to them in the asphalt pavement industry at the Feb. 1 event.

Le said making a strong impression on the next generation of asphalt industry workers is rewarding, and the young people had many questions as they stopped by the Women of Asphalt California Branch display table. Kudos to volunteers Randy Cortez with BSK Associates, and Suzanne Morgan with Structure Groups, a women-owned business.

For more information about the Women of Asphalt California Branch, which is supported by CalAPA, visit their web page HERE.

The 2024 CalAPA Spring Asphalt Pavement Conference & Equipment Expo, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, March 7-8 in Ontario, will have something for everyone, with presentations from nationally recognized experts. Details and on-line registration can be found HERE.

Some of the hottest topics in the world of asphalt pavements today will be on the program, including the use (and potential misuse) of Environmental Product Declarations, the use of reclaimed tire rubber in asphalt mixes, as well as fibers and plastic.

Breathtaking advances in technology also will be highlighted, including eTicketing and the use of Artificial Intelligence technology, which is already starting to impact the industry. The event is the only one of its kind in California that brings together industry, agency and academia professionals to learn, network and have fun.

Back this year is the tradeshow floor, outdoor equipment displays and a gala reception. There are ample sponsor opportunities. Special group discount pricing is available, as well as an early-bird rate exclusively for agency personnel who register before Feb. 23.

Issues of interest to agency personnel also will be prominently featured at the conference, with presentations by Dr. John Harvey with the University of California Pavement Research Center, and Erik Updyke with the SB1-supported City & County Pavement Improvement Center. Those presentations, in particular, are geared toward helping agency personnel stretch their pavement maintenance dollars. The timed agenda of topics and presenters is HERE.

For information on registration, as well as the many sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, contact Sophie You of CalAPA at (916) 791-5044.

Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.

UNDERDRAIN:  A perforated or porous-walled pipe placed with suitable pervious backfill beneath the ground surface to collect and carry away underground water.

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.

COMPACTION / DENSITY: The plans and specifications should specify how density is tested. The inspector needs to monitor the specified compaction density with a gauge to ensure that final target densities are achieved. Regular visual inspection of the mat during compaction is also required: look for segregation, indentations, properly sealed joints, and under-compacted areas. 

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.

SMOOTHNESS: Pavement quality that ensures high driver satisfaction, and can also reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

"Work together. Win together."

– Katie Harbaugh

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. To subscribe to the newsletter, click HERE. For comments, questions or to suggest a story idea, click HERE.

Sincerely,

Russell W. Snyder, CAE

Executive Director

The California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®