AGC Fighting Clean Air Rules

The AGC is starting to put pressure on the incoming administration to roll back clean air regulations here in California. They are saying that they will not be able to do the work if the regulations are put in place.

As stated in yesterday's Washington Post:

About $30 billion of Obama's $825 billion economic stimulus plan is being set aside for highways and bridges. Some of that money would be squandered unless the new president blocks a rule that might keep some earthmovers from doing their economy-lifting work, a group of contractors says.

The Associated General Contractors of America wants Obama to put up a federal barrier to a California clean-air rule that regulates off-road diesel engines already in use. It will require the replacement or retrofitting of the engines of earthmoving equipment. The state has an estimated 180,000 loaders, graders, excavators and other heavy equipment.

"What is the point of stimulus money if it's used to replace equipment instead of building?" asked Mike Kennedy, general counsel of the Arlington-based group. The regulators "assumed costs could be passed along, but economic circumstances have changed so dramatically that the rule has to be reopened."