RTMC (Rancho Murieta Training Center) - July 2008
By John Teller, director of training and Tammy Castillo, director of apprenticeship
Apprentices use SRT time as volunteers
Beginning May 6 and lasting nearly two weeks, Local 3 apprentices volunteered their dirtwork expertise as part of their Supplemental Related Training (SRT) to help grade a parking lot for the Oregon House Community Center centrally located between Dobbins and Oregon House, Calif. The 2,000 square-foot community center rests on 20 acres of land donated by Jules Alcouffe, a well-known member of the community who passed away April 13.
But Alcouffe’s legacy lives on. According to Chairman of the Dobbins/ Oregon House Improvement Foundation Douglas Binderup, this center is one of the “biggest things in Gold Country” to happen, as it will include a library, computer room and a ball field that will benefit the surrounding communities and the two schools located within walking distance of the center. While the Gold Country communities are known for their scenic and natural landscapes, there are not a lot of nearby activities readily available for children.
For the community and for the apprentices, this is a win-win situation, as apprentices are getting on-the-job training and donating services to a worthwhile cause.
According to Apprentice Nick Springer, “You learn much more with constant instruction on a job like this.”
Tough rules for off-road engines
So, how’s the weather? According to many scientists, we’re headed for some global warming. It may be a natural cycle of the earth, it may be man-made or it could be a little of both. Nonetheless, people are reacting and so are some agencies.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued some stringent new rules and regulations on off-road diesel engines. These regulations will require that most diesel-powered machines be repowered (not rebuilt) and have some type of after-treatment done to the exhaust that captures particle matter.
CARB has an online calculator that will figure out your overall fleet average: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/ordiesel.htm. The regulation reduces the amount of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and particle matter a diesel engine produces. To read more, use this link to download the PDF file: http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2007/ordiesl07/TSD.pdf.
In addition to other state regulations like Portable Diesel-Fueled Engines Air Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) (http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/peatcm/ peatcm.htm), there are city and/or county regulations that might apply.
California is a leader in pollution regulations, and many states follow what we do. Some don’t, but nonetheless, people are watching us.
The two major components CARB is trying to reduce are NO2 and ambient Particulate Matter (PM). Reducing NO2 requires that the machine be repowered with a newer style engine (i.e. CAT’s ACET). Decreasing the combustion gas temperature decreases the NO2. Unfortunately, it increases the PM. So, to take care of the PM, it comes down to an after-treatment.
These filters capture the majority of the PM the engines produce. Unfortunately, they have to be serviced. Some use diesel fuel to burn off the collection of PM, and some use electricity to clean themselves or regenerate. This has to be done often, typically once a day, depending on the application.
The regulation breaks into three categories: large fleets (combined fleet horse power) over 5,000 hp, medium fleets less than 5,000 hp and small fleets less than 2,500 hp. Large fleets must comply by 2010, medium fleets by 2013 and small fleets by 2015.
The new term being used a lot is “going green,” and I’m in favor of that. We care about this planet; it’s the only one we’ve got. The unfortunate thing is that going green costs. It costs us financially and also in some safety aspects. The financial burden is on the contractor, and the contractor will eventually pass it on to the consumer.
As for safety, some of these particle-emissions filters are big, and many sit on top or to the side of the hood instead of in it, blocking vision.
The state has made some funds available for repowers. Carl Moyer Funds are still available for small and medium fleets. It usually pays a large portion of the cost to repower.
This is just a brief overview of the CARB program. Please use the links I’ve provided to read the bulk of the regulations.
New CARB regulation on idling now in place
The California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulation for in-use, off-road diesel vehicles went into effect June 15, 2008. This regulation includes idling and disclosure rules, which require an operator of applicable off-road vehicles (self-propelled, diesel-fueled vehicles 25 horsepower and up that were not designed to be driven on-road) to limit idling to no more than five minutes. No vehicle or engines subject to this regulation may idle for more than five consecutive minutes. Some exemptions to the idling limit apply for queuing, safety and work for which the vehicle was designed. For more information, visit the CARB website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/ordiesel/htm.
