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Citing new data showing California's emissions from off-road diesel equipment are below air quality targets for years to come, Â鶹ÊÓƵcalled on state officials to immediately order at least a two-year delay of its new off-road "diesel retrofit" rule in an emergency petition filed January 11.  The delay is needed to avoid unnecessary losses and layoffs within the state's hard hit construction industry while the California Air Resources Board (CARB) continues to review the recently adopted engine emission standards that will force construction companies in California to retrofit or replace almost all of their heavy construction equipment that is currently in the field. Because CARB's review of its new data will continue beyond the looming March 1, 2010, deadline (by that date many equipment owners must modify their equipment to meet the first fleet-wide emissions standard for particulate matter), Â鶹ÊÓƵacted to file an emergency petition for interim relief.  This new state data consists of information that CARB has collected pursuant to the rule's reporting requirements; specifically, the population, age distribution and horsepower distribution of the off-road equipment that the rule actually covers.  AGC's own review and analysis of this data (collected by CARB in 2009 and subsequently shared with AGC) shows that there is no need to impose costly new "diesel retrofit" rules forcing contractors to purchase new equipment before 2014.  Contractors do not need to retrofit, repower or replace a single piece of equipment to meet the state's emissions targets for the next two years and possibly even longer, according to AGC. Click here to read AGC's petition.  to read AGC's press release. The news was covered by the . Â鶹ÊÓƵoriginally petitioned the Board to reopen or repeal the rule ("") in December 2008, demonstrating that the rule would impose an excessive burden on the state's struggling construction industry. AGC's petition explains that changes in economic, financial and other circumstances compel a careful reexamination of the necessity for, and the technological and economic feasibility of, compliance with the rule. At CARB's request, however, Â鶹ÊÓƵvoluntarily deferred action on that original petition pending further research board staff said it needed to conduct.  During the last year, Â鶹ÊÓƵhas conducted its own independent ; Â鶹ÊÓƵhas also submitted lengthy strongly opposing California's request for federal approval of its new off-road diesel rules.  Â鶹ÊÓƵhas prepared an analysis estimating that as many as are monitoring California's controversial effort to win approval of its new standards for off-road diesel equipment, and might follow its lead. In early December 2009, Â鶹ÊÓƵmet with staff from CARB to present AGC's analysis of the new data collected by the state that proves that off-road diesel emissions mandates unnecessary to meet the state's emissions reduction goals.  Specifically, CARB previously estimated 147,000 pieces of construction equipment would be present in the state in 2009, but have only located 103,000 pieces this year, indicating 30 percent of equipment was sold for pennies on the dollar. Â鶹ÊÓƵchallenged the Board to act on the data and reverse plans to require construction companies to replace billions of dollars worth of equipment to meet the off-road diesel retrofit rule. Â鶹ÊÓƵhosted a media conference call to explain these results and issued a press release.  To read AGC's press release and other details (including AGC's data analysis), click . The news was covered by the , , , and , as well as the . CARB has 30 days to respond to the petition.  Â鶹ÊÓƵhas requested CARB discuss the matter during its February meeting. For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at pilconisl@agc.org or (703) 837-5332.