Tag Archive for 'EPA'

Looming 2011 Interim Tier 4 Regulations Speed Need For Information

Published on August 6, 2010 in Digging for Dirt and Industry Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

What will happen when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Interim Tier 4 (IT4) regulations go into effect on January 1, 2011? In short, they’ll end up affecting everyone who purchases heavy equipment.

Planning for IT4 is a must if you face any emissions regulations, worksite requirements or bid specifications that affect the types of engines and equipment you can use.

John Deere is responding to the need for information by hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, August 11, at 11am CST or 2pm CST, which will explain what the regulations mean for new equipment and detail the emissions issues affecting existing equipment.

Participants will also learn about the various technologies planned to meet the new standards and the testing and development work behind those approaches. In addition, equipment users who have tested actual IT4 machines will share their insights about the marriage of IT4 engine technology and iron.

Deere engine and emissions expert Joe Mastanduno will host the webinar.

“January 1 will be here soon and being prepared is crucial,” Mastanduno said.

“We’ll give straightforward explanations about what the regulations mean to you and the technology available to help you meet them.”

Prepare yourself for 2011’s IT4 regulations and register today for one of the free sessions on August 11 at http://www.deere.com/construction.

What is a Webinar?

Webinar is short for Web-based seminar that participants can view using their computers. Presenters deliver an interactive presentation via the Internet – the presenter and participants have the ability to give, receive and discuss information from various remote locations.

Kicking Oil Addiction

Published on July 3, 2010 in Digging for Dirt. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

One of the dominant news items is the oil spill, which is beyond its third month. It has challenged scientists, environmentalists, the oil industry and the patience of not only this country but also the world. The extent of its damages cannot yet be measured. Just the other day I read a report that a scheduled bridge project for Minnesota has been delayed because of the oil spill. It’s predicating the need for additional environmental impact studies.

People from Alabama’s Gulf Shores area are complaining because the clean up is restricted to beach surfaces and does not include the oil that gets buried by the tide hammering it into the sand. At this point the beach clean up is cosmetic.

The problems become myriad because cleaning crews cannot work for long periods in the blistering hot sun with temperatures in the 100+ degree range. For every fifteen minutes they work they have to spend fifteen minutes cooling down and recuperating.  By necessity and safety regulations, eight-hour workdays become four hours but the cost doesn’t decrease.

Hurricane Alex adds to the already unmanageable situation erasing the to-date clean up efforts in hours. You have to feel compassion for the people who live in the New Orleans, Mobile, and Gulf Shores area. They were crushed by Katrina and are still trying to recover only to be subjected to this tragedy. Thousands of words have been written about the situation; hours of TV coverage have been aired; reasons for the failure analyzed by experts; solutions offered by virtually everyone and still the situation continues…

Among the verbiage that has been expounded, written and spoken, is the demand that we become oil independent. This isn’t going to happen. Alternate fuel sources, while available simply can’t replace what we already have in place and let’s not forget the emerging countries that are just now becoming oil addicts. Kicking an addiction isn’t easy and can’t be done overnight. It takes time, understanding and support.

Are alternate energy sources available? Certainly. They’re just not practical in today’s economic environment. How would you react if you were told that effective immediately you couldn’t use your car, you air conditioning or your electricity? You’d be paralyzed. As a society we’d no longer be able to function because we have become totally dependant on the things that energy provides.

So, what do we do? We evolve, make the transition, adapt. We learn how to use hydrogen and an energy source; expand our use of solar and wind power; become less extravagant in our consumption of energy.

In the late 70s the country experienced its first fuel shortage. Then we were driving 300, 400, and even 500+ horsepower cars that weighed several tons and drank gallons of gas. We were satisfied with fuel economy in the 10 – 15 mpg range because gas was only 32.9 cents a gallon for regular and 39.9 cents a gallon for premium.  At that time more than 90% of the cars on the road were V-8s with rear-wheel drive. The country freaked out when gas prices shot to 99.9 cents a gallon and the auto industry responded by giving us 4-cylinder front wheel drive vehicles that delivered 25+ miles per gallon. The race was on, not the horsepower race that ran wild in the 60s and 70s but the fuel-efficiency race to deliver vehicles that got more than 30 miles per gallon.

What happened? Vans, then SUVs. Everyone had to have one and the bigger the better so were back to the same level of fuel consumption – almost – as we were 70s. The only difference, we are driving more now then and we’re using more fuel.

The point is that we started on a mission to become oil independent in the late 70s and early 80s and let ourselves get distracted, first by van – remember the van craze? You still see them.  Then we went from vans to SUVs. Right, everyone needs four-wheel drive capabilities and four-wheeled behemoth to go to the grocery store, or church or run errands.  Sure you do.

Not many people are going to run out and trade their SUVs in on SmartCars, but you certainly can start curbing (pun intended) your trips to the store or whatever. Other things you can do is make certain that you follow the recommended maintenance practices outlined in your owners manual. (Yes you did get one with the vehicle when you bought it.) A properly maintained vehicle will dispense lower emissions into the atmosphere; give you better fuel mileage and longer vehicle life. Not only that, it is a positive step towards oil independence.

In your homes, control your air conditioning or heating use as well as the use of electricity. This may seem trivial but if 300,000,000 people do a little, the result will be significant.

If by the time you read this the oil spill has been stopped, that’s great but we should still work, doing our part, to achieve oil independence and kick the oil addiction. Maybe if the people who ever they are/were) from the late 70s had taught us the value of finding ways to cut and eventually eliminate oil consumption we wouldn’t be struggling with this same problem today – high energy consumption on the road, at home and with everything we do.

Greg Sitek

Note: This article will appear as the editorial in the August 2o10 issues of the Associated Construction Publications (ACP)

Caterpillar Emissions Solutions Expands Capabilities Through Acquisition of CleanAIR Systems

Published on June 29, 2010 in Daily Dirt. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Caterpillar Emissions Solutions has signed a definitive agreement to purchase CleanAIR Systems, Inc.  Upon completion of the transaction, CleanAIR Systems will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. within the Customer Services Support Division.

CleanAIR Systems is a privately owned company in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and is a leader in designing and manufacturing customized stationary aftertreatment solutions for internal combustion engines.  The broad product line includes California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified particulate filters, oxidation catalysts and silencers as well as an innovative hybrid selective-catalytic-reduction/particulate-filter/silencer system. These products and CleanAIR’s engineering expertise have seen especially strong use in retrofitting engine-powered generators, and they have application in diverse industries.

“Lowering the emissions output of our legacy equipment is one of the most significant steps we can take to help our customers do their work in a more sustainable manner. The CleanAIR products add significantly to our ability to accomplish emissions reductions for our electric power, petroleum and marine customers,” said Terry Sears, Manager, Caterpillar Emissions Solutions. “Our goal is to be the leader and the preferred provider of emissions reduction technologies for the existing population of Cat products around the globe.”

In 2008, Caterpillar Emissions Solutions signed an Allied Vendor Agreement with CleanAIR Systems to strengthen the stationary aftertreatment business. The acquisition will build on the success of the vendor agreement and the working relationships developed with Cat® dealers. About 70 percent of CleanAIR products were going to Cat dealers under the agreement.

“We are extremely pleased that CleanAIR Systems has joined the Caterpillar family. After working together for several years as an allied vendor of Caterpillar, we feel this is a natural progression,” said Michael Roach, President, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. “My staff and I are looking forward to an exciting future helping the worldwide Cat Dealer Network and their customers meet air quality regulations.”

Caterpillar Emissions Solutions will provide marketing and engineering support to CleanAIR Systems, assist with CARB and EPA Verification, and jointly develop next-generation products for Caterpillar customers.

The acquisition is expected to close by July 1, 2010, pending final regulatory approvals.  CleanAIR Systems will remain headquartered in Santa Fe and will be known as CleanAIR Systems, Inc.- A Caterpillar Company.

Kerry-Lieberman Bill Needs To Do More To Protect Domestic Cement Industry

Published on May 17, 2010 in Daily Dirt and New England Construction. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

The energy and climate legislation released last week by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) addresses several issues important to maintaining a strong domestic manufacturing sector.  According to the Portland Cement Association (PCA), however, it does not go far enough to balance protecting the environment and with maintaining American jobs.

“We appreciate the Senators’ efforts to work with industry throughout the drafting of the bill, and will continue to express the concerns of the cement industry to Senators Kerry and Lieberman throughout this part of the legislative process,” said John Shaw, PCA’s senior vice president of government affairs.  “However, more needs to be done in key areas to maintain robust domestic cement production.”

According to a study released this spring by Southern Methodist University’s Maguire Energy Institute, in 2008 the industry employed more than 17,000 Americans and nearly $27.5 billion of the nation’s economic activity, or gross output, occurred in the cement manufacturing industry. Indirectly, the industry supported almost 153,000 jobs and $7.5 billion in wages and benefits.

Portland cement is the powder which acts as the glue that, when mixed with water, sand, gravel and other materials, forms concrete. Cement is an essential construction material for the development of the country’s infrastructure and economic investments.

The industry is concerned that the bill does not create a single national program for regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs), and only preempts U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation of GHGs under the Clean Air Act under certain circumstances.  Additionally, preliminary review of the legislation shows an ineffective distribution system for the pool of allowances, which may result in an arbitrary selection of beneficiaries and losers, creating imbalance between the U.S. and other countries.

“The Kerry-Lieberman legislative does not go far enough to prevent carbon “leakage” through the loss of domestic production and jobs to more carbon-intensive developing nations,” Brian McCarthy, PCA president and CEO said.  “Such a bill will not truly have an impact on global climate change and have a negative effect on the viability of American jobs. Domestic cement production is responsible for keeping America’s construction industry afloat, especially as the nation struggles to regain its economic footing.”

“We sincerely hope the concerns that affect our member companies and their employees can be addressed in any final legislative product that the Senate will consider and the President may ultimately sign into law,” Shaw said.

The cement industry’s commitment to reducing energy consumption is demonstrated by its improvement in efficiency of more 35 percent since the mid-1970s. Moreover, in 2001, the industry adopted a voluntary goal of reducing the amount of CO2 associated with cement manufacturing.

Additionally, concrete is an eco-efficient building material. The energy savings—and associated greenhouse gas emission reductions—from constructing buildings with concrete more than offset the emissions from cement manufacturing during the life of the structure. Moreover, concrete pavements increase vehicle gas mileage compared to soft paving surfaces.

Subaru Introduces Versatile, Efficient All-Season Engine

Published on May 5, 2010 in Equipment & Products. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Subaru’s All-Season Engine combines the powerful benefits of overhead cam (OHC) technology from its EX Series engines with special cold-weather features of the SX Snow Series line to create a multi-seasonal solution for a variety of outdoor equipment.

Initially developed as a year-round power solution for rotary brooms, Subaru’s All-Season Engine doesn’t require any adjustments to accommodate varying weather conditions. The 9-horsepower unit is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from 20 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit) up to 140 degrees. It is suitable for additional types of multi-season equipment including log splitters, chippers and shredders, and lawn and turf seeders.

The All-Season engine features chain-driven OHC technology, a standard for high-performance automotive engines. The technology allows the intake and exhaust valves to be positioned for optimum engine performance, and offers lower resistance for the air/fuel mixture flow. Designed with a highly efficient pent-roof-type combustion chamber, the All-Season Engine is able to uses a high compression ratio, producing higher power and torque while limiting exhaust emissions and fuel consumption.

To have the ability to function in a variety of temperatures and weather conditions, an engine must provide the proper balance of cooling and heating. The All-Season Engine achieves this thanks to the inclusion of several extreme weather features. To combat excessive heat in warmer temperatures, the engine is designed with patent-pending technology and other special features to provide outstanding cooling. To use every possible cooling area, special heat dissipation fins have been built into the mounting base, cylinder and both the inner and outer crankcase surfaces. The OHC technology allows for 360-degree airflow around both the exhaust and intake valve stem areas to provide additional cooling action.

An anti-icing baffle is included to ensure proper operation in cooler temperatures and humid conditions. This feature redirects heat from the cylinder head back to the carburetor to keep it warm and prevent problems commonly associated with cold-weather operation. Humid environments can result in moisture build up and potential freezing in the engine. The anti-icing baffle also directs heat into the air cleaner system, eliminating potential ice build-up and airflow restriction in the nearby venturi area. Additionally, the transfer of warm air to the carburetor helps to maintain engine temperature, keeping the engine warm for easy starting on the first pull – every time.

Easy, one-pull starting is further encouraged with the inclusion of an automatic decompression system and specially designed recoil housing. The automatic decompression system reduces the required recoil pulling force by 30- to 40-percent when compared with competitive models. With fewer moving parts and an optimized-capacity rigid muffler, the All-Season Engine operates a full 2dBA (decibel level) quieter than other same-class engines.

For further protection in cold-weather environments, the All-Season Engine includes anti-icing guards. These strategically placed guards prevent snow and ice from entering the engine and freezing up, causing damage to the governor system, vital controls and linkages.

To avoid common problems associated with battery-starters in cold weather, the All-Season Engine is available with an optional 120-volt starter system. It meets EPA and CARB emission regulations, and is backed by an industry-leading 3-year limited warranty.