California Construction Trucking Association (CCTA)

Buried within the Clean Air Act and most other environmental laws are provisions that enable “ordinary citizens” to sue local government and contractors for alleged violations of these rules.  In California, the most recent example of these “opportunities” came in the Construction General Permit passed by the State Water Resources Control Board last year.

SACRAMENTO – Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) heard testimony July 19 from the California Construction Trucking Association, several scientists and a representative of the diesel technology industry, opposing a proposal to decrease diesel particulate matter standards nationwide by as much as 25 percent.

Representing CCTA were Betty Plowman and Bill Davis, both of whom attacked the lack of compelling scientific proof of any disease caused by diesel PM.  Scientists Dr. Roger McClellan, former chair of the EPA’s own Clean Air Science Advisory Committee took on EPA’s disregard for their own process and Dr. Robyn Prueitt, with the environmental consulting firm Gradient, Inc., who tackled EPA’s flawed scientific approach.  Tom Fulks, a representative of the Diesel Technology Forum, highlighted the advancements in clean diesel technology which make the EPA effort unnecessary.

Overall attendance increase, more qualified truck owners/buyers, well-attended educational sessions all contributed to the event’s success

It was just a year ago that the Great West Truck Show announced it would be moving for the 2012 season, across town to the Sands Expo and Convention Center, adjacent to the Venetian/Palazzo Hotels. This year’s show was held June 14-16 and what a difference a year can make. With the industry rebound, the relocation and the addition of the Great West Fleet Executive Conference, the event had a completely new feel and improved its bottom line results.

Forget lazing around watching TV like a couch potato.  Forget chowing down every day at your favorite greasy spoon.  It turns out exposure to diesel fumes by pregnant mothers (in utero) may be the trigger that is responsible for adult obesity.  Bottom line: it’s not your fault.