The Conveyor - Fall Issue 2022

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FALL ISSUE

of CONTENTS

CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

An

PRESIDENT

As

FEATURE

MP

Q&A

Q&A

MATERIALS AND

Where

CEMENT

Natural

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable

SB1

SB1

CALCIMA

CalCIMA

NATIONAL

ESSENTIAL

MEMBER

MESSAGE

The

CalCIMA

(916) 554-1000

Published

Editorial

Baltimore, Ph.D, SE,

Polytechnic State

San Luis Obispo

Jennie Blevins, Chico Enterprise-Record

Bud Grebey, EMA Vice President

Raelynn Hartlove, P. W. Gillibrand Co.,

Tony Limas, Director of Asphalt Advocacy and Technical Affairs, CalCIMA

Julia Maldonado, Communications Coordinator, CalCIMA

Charley Rea, Director of Communications, Safety & Technical Services, CalCIMA

Matt Sloustcher, Sr. Vice President, Communications & Policy, MP Materials

Graphic Designer Aldo Myftari

The Conveyor is published quarterly each year by Construction Marketing Services, LLC

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without

is prohibited.

An honor and a privilege

As we head towards the final quarter of 2022, it is again time for the Chairman's letter. As this is my final letter as chairman, I am conflicted, and I cannot decide if I am happy because I no longer have to dread the anticipation of writing this letter

every quarter or sad because I think it has been an honor and a privilege to help lead this very fine statewide organization.

As always, we have a number of great topics in this quarter’s Conveyor magazine. While the theme may be “Materials and Products,” there is strong focus on the sustainability efforts that we as an industry make day in and day out.

We will discuss how our asphalt producer members are focused on the continued and increased use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), and efforts to improve the quality and lengthen the life pavement through the use of BMD (Balanced Mix Designs).

This issue will discuss how our ready mix concrete producers are gearing up to meet the growing demand for EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) that allow us to demonstrate our efforts to reduce our GWP (Global Warming Potential) which for all intents and purposes is really just CO2 (there are a lot of acronyms in this issue).

We'll also learn about the various kinds of substitutes or more accurately, supplements that are/may soon be available for cement.

In addition, we will highlight the recent successful initiation of our hopefully annual “Let’s Connect Golf Tournament” in Southern California. And, there are articles featuring one of the core minerals we use in our everyday lives, and one on a producer member whose efforts improve our national security.

This issue showcases how the quality materials we strive to produce everyday improve the lives of those around us and of the public.

To just wax on a little bit, the last few years have been fraught with challenge and change. COVID, economic and global uncertainty. Marquee name companies like US Concrete, Syar and Lehigh-Hanson were acquired by Vulcan Materials Company and Martin Marietta respectively. While all these things transpire, our industry and we, the people, make it endure and thrive. I am sure this has been said by many people before, but I believe there are few things that are as simple and as amazing as watching rocks pulled from the ground transform into our highways, homes and institutes. Without us to build the structural foundations of our society, much of what the rest of the world takes for granted would likely not exist.

Again, it has been an honor and a privilege. n

highest regards,

Martin Hansberger Director of Technical Services, Holliday Rock CalCIMA Chairman

By

CTAC

While

Initial

T H E C T A C P R O G R A M

As our technology and resources advance, so must our industry

As I contemplate the theme of materials and products in this issue of The Conveyor, I am reminded of our own story as an organization. It is one to be proud of, marked by entrepreneurship, evolution and flexibility to meet the demands of an everchanging world, much like CalCIMA members’ materials and products have.

The rich history of the organizations formed for the extractive and materials industry in California has its roots in the very beginning of our state’s development. Alliances, cooperatives, and associations were formed to manage the materials needed to build the state after the gold rush. They were formed to organize supply chains, meet the new and everchanging demands for products, and, of course, address a growing government presence in our business with a desire to regulate. Just as the story of our members’ materials and products is marked by entrepreneurship and innovation, so too is the organization’s.

The formal records of CalCIMA’s predecessor organizations go back as far as 1875. While the names have changed we are built on the heritage of the California Land and Mining Association, Construction Materials Association of California, Southern California Rock Products Association, Southern California Ready Mixed Concrete Association, California Mining Association, Western Strategic Minerals Association, and many more.

Two CalCIMA predecessor organizations were actually first incorporated in 1945 under a different name, but the CalCIMA we know today was molded in 2007 from 4 separate

regional and product specific associations for minerals, aggregates, and concrete. Then, again, in 2021, CalCIMA expanded to include asphalt producers. Consistent with our origins, each evolution was adopted to meet the everchanging demand for products, and growing government regulation on our membership’s operations. We are seeing this same paradigm at the federal level with the decision by the formerly-known Industrial Minerals Association - North America to rebrand as the Essential Minerals Association.

In a similar manner, the story and role of CalCIMA’s associate members–the providers of the equipment and services to support material producers and their importance to our success follows the same paradigm as our industry’s evolution. Today, the products provided by our associate members help us keep producer’s mines, quarries and plants operating, increase efficiency, support sustainability, and bring innovation to product lines. And much like the materials members produce, the supplies provided by associate members have evolved over time to help produce new products and meet the ever increasing demands of policy and regulation.

This edition of The Conveyor is a reflection of how members' construction and industrial materials products, and the supportive role of the associate members, are the building blocks of so many products essential to today’s quality of life in California and its economy. Today’s materials and products are an impressive testament to the “story of US.” Enjoy reading! n

Sincerely, Robert Dugan President/CEO CalCIMA

Photos provided by MP Materials

MP Materials A look into America's only rare earth production facility

By Matt Sloustcher, Sr. Vice President, Communications & Policy, MP Materials

Increasingly, the U.S. requires certain strategic minerals to produce technology products for our economic competitiveness, reduce carbon impacts, and provide for our national defense. Too often in recent years, we have forgotten the importance of these mineral supply chains and depend too heavily on foreign sources. But, now as we try to source enough strategic minerals to produce car batteries and motors, send humans

into space, or manufacture the missile defense systems that keep us safe, we are realizing the need for our own sources of essential minerals.

Some of the most critical are known as the rare earth elements–or, lanthanides. They are a series of metals that are found at the bottom of the Periodic table, but are key to just about every advanced technology. And, they are only produced in a few places on Earth.

We are fortunate to have the one active rare earth mining and processing site in America, and it’s right here in California. Located in San Bernardino County, Mountain Pass is one of the world’s largest and highest grade rare earth deposits. Its owner, MP Materials, is working to restore the full rare earth supply chain to the United States of America.

MP Materials (NYSE: MP) acquired Mountain Pass in July 2017

The dry tailings and water recycling facility at Mountain Pass.

and is headquartered in Las Vegas. The site was non-operational and had only 8 employees at the time.

Now, MP Materials has around 500 employees, ranging from equipment operators to chemical and materials engineers. It restarted production at Mountain Pass in 2018 and has scaled up dramatically.

“Mountain Pass is more productive today than it has ever been in its 70-year history. We supplied around 15% of global production in 2021. Demand for rare earth materials and magnets is forecast to outpace supply dramatically,” said Matt Sloustcher,

Above: Purified rare earth oxides.

Right: MP Materials has nearly 500 employees, ranging from equipment operators to chemical and materials engineers.

SVP of Communications & Policy at MP Materials. “We face challenges every day, and have a lot of hard work to do to accomplish our mission, but we have demonstrated over the past five years that Mountain Pass is a world class asset and that the team at MP Materials is capable of operating it and delivering.”

There are three main steps when it comes to the rare earth production process: Extraction, processing and component manufacturing. The first step is extraction and beneficiation. Bastnaesite ore is extracted from the mine and then

crushed, milled, conditioned and floated to produce a mixed rare earth concentrate. The concentrate is then further refined by undergoing a chemical process to purify, recover, separate and precipitate individual rare earth elements.

Purified rare earths are then packaged and treated to meet customer requirements.

Rare earth materials are strategic inputs to a variety of industrial processes, but are particularly important as they are used to produce the world’s highest strength magnets. These magnets enable electric motors to function

Above: Mountain Pass is the center of U.S. efforts to restore the rare earth materials and magnetics supply chain.

and contribute to the functionality of electric vehicles, drones, wind turbines, missile defense systems, and more.

“Magnets are all around us, but few people realize it. They are in cell phones, in electric vehicles, in elevators, in speakers, and so on. They are really fundamental to modern life,” Sloustcher said.

Demand for magnets powering these applications and technologies is growing rapidly. China dominates production, supplying more than 90% of the world’s production. This geographic concentration is creating pressure on the part of Western manufacturers and governments to diversify their supply chains.

“Our primary challenge at present is execution. Mountain Pass is the center of U.S. efforts to restore the rare earth materials and magnetics supply chain. The stakes are high and we feel a sense of responsibility,” Sloustcher said.

MP Materials is a valuable resource to not only the United States, but to the world. As for what’s next for MP Materials, it is advancing refining capabilities at Mountain Pass, and building a magnetics manufacturing facility that will help restore an end-to-end U.S. rare earth supply chain. n

Left: MP’s Stage III Fort Worth magnetics factory rendering; facility is currently in construction.

Q&A with policy leaders

Editor’s note: The Conveyor magazine includes profiles from key policy makers that are important to construction and industrial materials producers.

After graduating from CSU Sacramento in 1985, Tom Pyle worked for a home developer until joining Caltrans in 1986. During 36 years at Caltrans, he has worked throughout the department in pavement design, construction, maintenance, and materials. A dozen of those years was managing either the Department’s cement and concrete laboratories, or the Office of Asphalt Pavement. He has participated on numerous national committees for materials and pavement as well as being a guest lecturer for various university classes. He has also worked at the California Environmental Protection Agency to support greenhouse gas reduction efforts in cement and concrete.

Questions:

Q - What are your goals for the State Pavement Program?

A - 1.) First, I would like to raise the condition of pavement across the state. 2.) Increase awareness throughout Caltrans and contractors on ways to support pavement sustainability. 3.) Implement ways to make every pavement last a little longer; and 4.) Incrementally improve a wide variety of specifications and designs.

Q - California has had a great opportunity with the funds from SB 1 and the IIJA. How has that increased money and workload impacting pavement programs?

A - These funding programs have allowed Caltrans to more than double the investment in pavement. Next year California will see a large increase in “Construction Ahead” signs as the more complicated projects start to enter the flow of construction projects. The additional funding is improving conditions and making a difference.

Q - How is the pavement program changing and contributing to sustainability efforts?

A - All offices in the Pavement Program are working to support sustainability, increase sustainability practices and raise awareness of sustainability in pavement. This winter we will launch a web page to show how pavement design, material selection and construction practices can support sustainability.

Also, we are starting to develop guidelines for a specification to pay incentives for sustainable practices that contractors can choose, but

that is a year out. While some may think that we are building pavements that are longitudinal landfills with tires, RAP and flyash, we are not compromising quality or longevity with those products. In fact we are now seeking a new generation of recycled products to use in pavements, that can add a circular economy to society’s waste, such as with shingles and plastic, and still maintain the same, or higher, level of quality.

Q - Do you have particular goals for pavement specifications and the Pavement and Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC)?

A - There is a long list of specifications that need attention, but what I like about the PMPC is how the committees work together to prioritize needs. My goal is to support work that will increase the life of the pavement through improved materials and construction. The most sustainable pavements are the most durable.

Tom Pyle, State Pavement Engineer,

Tom Pyle, State Pavement Engineer, Caltrans.

A - Over the past few months the Pavement Program staff has developed a 10-year “Roadmap” for the Pavements. This plan will include PMPC items as well as work to be accomplished in the many national, state and Caltrans led research initiatives. We have categorized the activities into work that can be accomplished in 3 to 4 year time frames, over the coming decade. The largest impact will likely be in allowing and encouraging contractors to use their own creativity and relationships to build the most sustainable, long lasting pavements in the world. This will be realized in performance specifications for both asphalt and concrete pavements. The Roadmap will be released this winter for review. n

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661.387.6090

Corona, CA 951.277.7620

Fresno,

559.834.4420

Lakeside,

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Where would we be without limestone?

By Julia Maldonado, Communications Coordinator, CalCIMA

It’s hard to imagine our lives without limestone.

The buildings we pass on our way to work, the glass of water that sits on our desk, the food we eat and the medication that makes us well all include limestone. Limestone was mainly used in construction and road building many centuries ago, but people have found even more uses as time went on. While limestone is still regularly used within the construction industry, many other industries have benefited from it. It is one of the most versatile industrial minerals used in the world.

One of CalCIMA’s producer members, Omya, Inc., is a major

contributor to the industrial materials industry, including limestone, dolomite, marble and more. In fact, OMYA is “a leading global producer of calcium carbonate and a worldwide distributor of specialty chemicals” according to its website. Along with chalk and marble, limestone is a common form of calcium carbonate, which accounts for 4% of the Earth’s crust.

“Calcium carbonate is one of the fundamental building blocks of our society,” said Craig Maetzold, Environmental Affairs Manager at Omya, Inc. “Carbonate rocks are a major mineral commodity used in the construction, cement, metallurgical, chemical, paper,

and plastics industries. Calcium carbonate is utilized in thousands of consumer products which are encountered every day.”

Along with Omya, Inc., many of CalCIMA’s producer members are also limestone producers. Blue Mountain Minerals’ Paso Robles, CA location has a homogeneous limestone quarry, while the Columbia, CA quarry has different chemical makeups. Specialty Minerals, Inc. has a Lucerne Valley, CA plant, in which its limestone is used in a wide array of industries. n

HERE ARE A FEW WAYS OUR MEMBERS’ LIMESTONE PLAYS A ROLE IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES:

• It helps keep roofs over our heads. As one of the ingredients that goes into making cement, which is a key element in concrete, limestone is an important asset in the construction of buildings. Using concrete can help build the cities we work in and homes we live in. Additionally, limestone goes into asphalt roof shingles, which contributes to the reduced usage of asphalt, adds fire resistance and lowers the overall cost.

• It allows us to breathe clean air. To purify air, limestone is used to help keep plants clean and reduce emissions through electric power plants.

• It cleans our teeth. Calcium carbonates provide a mild abrasive to clean teeth, and when you add sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda), you freshen your breath at the same time.

• It adds nutrients to food. Limestone is used in farming in order to improve the feeding for cattle. Adding limestone to a feeding supplement can improve meats, eggs and milk.

• It adds color to our world. Within the art industry, calcium carbonate is used as both a filler and a coating pigment. Having a special white color, it is used for its brightness in paper, paints and coatings.

• It helps us enjoy the view. Limestone is a major component in glass. It can be found in our car’s windshields, windows in our homes and buildings, and virtually everywhere. It helps us enjoy our glasses of wine, too. We can’t go a day without using something that contains limestone.

Natural pozzolans in concrete and CMU grout – the next step

By Craig Baltimore, Ph.D, SE, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

With the increasing emphasis on finding new ways to reduce carbon in building materials, this article summarizes the status of using natural pozzolans as a substitute for cement in concrete mixes.

Pozzolans are a cementitious material that were used in ancient Rome, forgotten for centuries, and rediscovered in modern times (NPA 2022). The chemical cementitious process of Pozzolans differs from the Portland cement (i.e. hydrolysis), and as such the bonding properties differ. These properties of a pozzolanic bond give better performance and endurance of the final productincluding reduced heat of hydration damage, increased long-term compressive strength, and a reduction in embodied energy. The downside of pozzolans is a longer cure time is required. But when one unites the beneficial properties of pozzolans and Portland cement, a higher quality, more sustainable, and resilient product is created. And this is what we are seeing today: high volume cement replacement with pozzolans – more specifically pozzolans from waste materials in the form of fly ash and ground granulated blast slag (GGBS) in concrete and in concrete masonry grout (Thomas 2007) (Fonseca, Siggard 2012). In Figure 1, as an example, a cut-away of grouted concrete masonry unit (CMU) with 60% cement replacement with fly ash in the grout and is showing excellent aggregate distribution.

Unfortunately, the future production of waste material pozzolans, in the United States, to meet demand is not easy to predict. Factors like a reduction in coal powered electricity and Clean Air Act requirements (injection of activated carbon) negatively affect usable cementitious waste material pozzolans. In a recent Concrete News article, it was stated by the American Coal Ash Association, “As coal ash production declines, beneficial use markets are adopting new logistics and technology strategies to ensure these valuable resources remain available for safe and productive use in the highest value applications” (Concrete News 2021). One of the new logistics is to use plentiful and widely sourced natural pozzolans as an alternative.

Natural Pozzolan take many forms, some are as follows.

• RAW POZZOLANS: Naturally calcined pozzolanic materials that include tuffs,

pumices, pumicites and other rhyolitic materials.

• CALCINED POZZOLANS: Clay and shale pozzolans calcined by furnaces and include calcined clay, metakaolin or calcined shale.

Most recently, the Federal Highway Administration completed a 10-year sustainable pavement program that noted natural pozzolans were rarely incorporated as supplemental cementitious material (SCM) (FHWA 2021), but have sponsored recent research in Nontraditional and Natural Pozzolan-Based SCMs or Inorganic Polymers for Transportation Infrastructure (FHWA-PROJ-19-0021). Caltrans lists natural pozzolans as one of the options in pavement SCM in its Concrete Pavement Guide (Caltrans 2015). The National Precast Concrete Association in 2017 concluded a four-part series in supplemental cementitious material with a

Figure 1: CMU Grout with 60% Cement Replacement with Fly Ash.

focus on natural pozzolans (NPCA 2017).

Regarding concrete masonry, the California Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada are currently investigating studying natural pozzolans in CMU grout.

Cement replacement with pozzolans is beneficial and sustainable. The use of waste material pozzolans of fly ash and Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) is an accepted practice but going forward may not be sustainable (the resource may not meet demand). As a result, the next steps are the use of natural pozzolans as a partial alternative to cement. n

References (Cal Trans 2015)

Concrete Pavement Guide, Caltrans Division of Maintenance Pavement Program, State of California

Department of Transportation, January 2015 (Concrete News 2020)

Fly ash use in concrete up slightly; overall ash recycling rate down, Concrete News, Dec. 2020, Concrete Products Magazine, Semco Productions, LLC., World Press Publishing (FHWA 2021)

Towards Sustainable Pavement Systems: A Reference Document, Federal Highway Administration – Report No. FHWA-HIF-15-02, Chap. 3: Material Considerations to Improve Pavement Sustainability, Jan. 2015 (FHWA-PROJ-19-0021)

Nontraditional and Natural Pozzolan-Based SCMs or Inorganic Polymers for Transportation Infrastructure, Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development, and Technology - Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation

Management, start date Sept. 25, 2019; end date Sept. 24, 2022.

(Fonseca, Siggard 2012) Fernando Fonseca and Kurt Siggard, High Volume Fly Ash Masonry Grout, Structures Magazine, May 2012, National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA), Chicago, IL. (NPA 2022)

History of Natural Pozzolans, Natural Pozzolan Association, https://pozzolan.org/historypozzolans.html, viewed Aug. 30, 2022.

(NPCA 2017)

SCMs in Concrete: Natural Pozzolans, National Precast Concrete Association, Precast Inc. Magazine, 2017 – SeptemberOctober.

(Thomas 2007)

Michael Thomas, Optimizing the Use of Fly Ash in Concrete, The Portland Cement Association, Skokie, IL.

Sustainable asphalt – are we ready?

By Tony Limas, Director of Asphalt Advocacy and Technical Affairs, CalCIMA

If you’re like me, it seems the ever-present sustainability drumbeat continues to grow louder with each passing day. We know new sustainability requirements for asphalt are looming somewhere over the horizon but not completely sure when and how they are going to impact the way we produce asphalt. To add to the uncertainty, it seems “sustainability” means different things to different people. The United Nations Report from the World Commission on Environment and Development put it this way:

“Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Creating and maintaining an asphalt industry that does not compromise future generations raises a number of questions. First and foremost, are current asphalt industry best practices “sustainable?”

Thus far, our sustainability efforts have been tied to reductions in our “cradle-to-gate” carbon footprint and extending the service life of asphalt pavements to prepare for future Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) “cradle-to-grave” impacts. These efforts are reflective of our success in securing the adoption of optional specifications that allow the use of 25% Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and the use of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) technologies.

I think we can all agree that future mandates aimed at reducing our carbon footprint are imminent. But what will these mandates consist of and when will they arrive? Will they serve to constrain

our industry, provide opportunities, or both? Looking at current sustainability requirements may provide a measure of what is to come.

As you know, in 2017 California became an early adopter of sustainability requirements for construction materials through the passing of the Buy Clean California Act. This legislation required contractors to submit Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for steel, glass, and mineral wool board insulation resulting in Global Warming Potential (GWP) requirements for these products.

Earlier this year, the US General Services Administration (GSA) raised the bar by requiring contractors to develop and submit EPDs for asphalt mixtures incorporating a minimum of two predetermined sustainability best practices; a likely first step toward General Services Administration's GWP requirements for asphalt.

To keep the sustainability ball rolling, our legislators proposed a new 2022 Buy Clean California Act (AB 1369). This legislation builds upon the previous Buy Clean

Left: WMA test section at Granite Construction's Santa Clara plant.

California Act. It would have authorized state agencies to set maximum GWP target requirements for an array of as-yet-named construction materials, which could include asphalt. While the author pulled the bill at the last minute, it’s safe to assume that a similar bill will resurface in the near future.

On yet another front, Governor Newsom recently signed CalCIMAsponsored Assembly Bill 2953 (Salas) which requires most local agencies to adopt Caltrans 2018 recycling specifications for asphalt, aggregates, and concrete. It should be noted that the aforementioned endeavors do not include the all-encompassing State and Federal Buy Clean initiatives contained in President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

So yes, if the past is any measure of the future, it would seem “the writing is on the wall.”

To keep up with the upcoming GWP requirements our industry will need a laser focus on EPDs that reduce GWP values.

We have a general understanding that incorporating and maintaining sustainable technologies at our

asphalt plants will increase efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint. While increasing the amount of RAP, WMA, and Reclaimed Asphalt Shingles (RAS) will also move the needle in the right direction.

Additional sustainability tools might include revised asphalt specifications, including the use

of Balanced Mix Design (BMD) provisions; reducing the distance between aggregate sources and HMA plants; replacing or reducing water-intensive aggregate processes; use of plant power optimization systems, maintaining proper slopes under aggregate stockpile and the use of new materials such as plastics,

bio-binders, recycled glass sand, etc. Carbon reductions associated with the manufacturing of peripheral products such as liquid ant-strips, rejuvenators, and crumb rubber modifiers, and the efficient use of grid electricity, wind, and solar power will also serve to lower our carbon footprint.

No doubt, the list of sustainability tools is vast and will continue to grow as new technologies and materials come online and we begin to reimagine what sustainable asphalt looks like.

Provided the initial onboarding of asphalt GWP requirements are in sync with industry best practices and resource supply chains, sustainable asphalt has the potential to create a significant win-win situation for our industry and that of future generations. n

We keep your environmental compliance in check so your operations run smoothly.

Biology & Wetlands

CEQA & NEPA

& Permit Compliance

Restoration

Solutions

& Erosion Control

Above: A cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave life-cycle assessment for aggregate materials.

SB1 – five years of road & bridge improvements

By Charley Rea, Director of Communications, Safety & Technical Services, CalCIMA

Five years ago, California enacted SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, with the promise of repairing decades of neglect in the state’s transportation system. With revenue of $54 billion anticipated over 10 years, SB 1 was projected as a catalyst to road, bridge, and transit upgrades. Now that we are at the five year mark, we can see the result of those investments.

The overall numbers are impressive – nearly $17 billion has been invested so far on over 8,000 transportation projects. These have created over 200,000 jobs.

“Thanks to a historic influx of federal funding and our ongoing investments powered by SB 1, California continues to make major progress in rebuilding, revitalizing and reimagining our infrastructure to support a cleaner, safer and more equitable transportation system,” said Tony Tavares, Caltrans Director.

There is also an important air quality benefit to many of the projects that reduce traffic congestion, since engine idling contributes 4 pounds of CO2 to the air for every hour a car spends idling in traffic.

Here are a few examples of how SB 1 is improving transportation and communities.

In Southern California, Caltrans and LA Metro are working on a series of projects to reduce congestion in key areas along the Interstate-605 and State Route 91 corridors. A key problem has been closely spaced on and off ramps and short distances between

interchanges, so SB 1 funds are being used to add auxiliary lanes and reconfigure on-ramps, while also funding improvements to local roads and intersections. In all, these enhance freeway safety, improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and improve freeway operations.

This series of projects directly benefits the cities of El Monte, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Norwalk, Bellflower, and Carson.

The Los Angeles area also sees massive traffic congestion on the Interstate-105 and Interstate-405

corridors that includes Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lynwood, South Gate, and Norwalk, and unincorporated areas of LA County. Caltrans and LA Metro have agreed on a project to add high occupancy toll and express lanes. These will connect travel from existing I-405 express lanes and allow for smoother travel through the I-105 and I-405 areas.

In the East Bay Area, several improvements along Interstate 680 and State Route 4 will improve traffic flow and safety. The SB 1 funds are widening SR 4, adding on and off ramp merge lanes, extending car pool lanes, replacing

STATE ROUTE 299, MODOC COUNTY Near Canby in Modoc County, a bridge was replaced to safely accommodate vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians in Caltrans District 2.

US 50, EL DORADO COUNTY

Near South Lake Tahoe, the Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct was replaced using the Accelerated Bridge Construction method. Caltrans District 3 demolished, replaced, and returned this bridge to service within 9 days!

a bridge, and adding lighting. In all, 100,000 daily motorists will benefit from the improved traffic flow both north and south and east and west in the East Bay Area.

In the Central Valley, Caltrans and local partners have undertaken projects to improve Interstate 5 and Highway 99, the main north-south routes. Projects on I-5 in Sacramento County will address current bottlenecks and expected population increases from new housing by adding managed traffic lanes.

In Tulare County, efforts are underway to reduce current congestion while preparing for rapid growth in the area. Construction centers on building a new four-lane interchange and on-ramps along HIghway 99 and adding bike lanes and sidewalks along local roads.

And, there are so many more! Bridge replacements in Modoc County to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians, widening Temescal Canyon Road in Riverside County from 2 to 4 lanes, adding sidewalks and bikeways on West Street in Anaheim, new retaining walls to reinforce roadways in the rainy Santa Cruz Mountains, new bikeways along I-15 in San Diego, and badly needed repairs to Highway 57 in Diamond Bar. See for yourself at http://rebuildingca.ca.gov/.

SB 1 is improving our quality of life by making driving easier and safer and making our air and communities cleaner! n

Let’s Connect Golf Tournament

CalCIMA members network at the “Let’s Connect” golf tournament

CalCIMA hosted its first “Let’s Connect” golf tournament on September 14 at Temecula Creek Golf Club. Over 40 golfers enjoyed an early round of golf, breakfast and lunch as well as raffles and awards.

The event was highlighted by luncheon guest speaker Danny Deveraux, vice president/general manager of CalPortland Construction, who discussed the importance of maintaining relationships between producers and contractors. Deveraux discussed how much the industry has changed over the years and how it’s important to adapt and keep open and honest communication with each other. His closing remark was, “it’s so important to have these events, so we get together, which will help us solve obstacles together and have success.”

First place winners were Holliday Rock’s threesome; Doug Bowlen, Derek Ritarita and Alex Kotrotsios. The second-place foursome was G3 Quality’s group that included Brian Platt, Jerred Dejong, Jacob Breedlove and Jordan Roper. Contest winners were Jake Breedlove, RJ Noble Co. for closest to the pin and longest drive went to Doug Bowlen, Holliday Rock.

CalCIMA appreciates and would like to thank the sponsors who help make events like this possible. Sponsors for the “Let’s Connect” Golf Tournament were Holliday Rock Co., Inc., Ingevity, Vulcan Materials Company, Granite Construction and CalPortland. Thank you!

For information on future CalCIMA events, please contact CalCIMA Events and Membership Services Coordinator Abi Hague at (916) 554-1000 x105 or ahague@calcima.org n

Golfers preparing to take off at CalCIMA’s Let’s Connect Golf Tournament.

CalCIMA President/CEO Robert Dugan networks with Vulcan Materials' foursome.

Danny Deveraux, CalPortland was the guest speaker and won the Apple watch.

Volvo Construction Equipment & Services group getting ready to play some golf.

Jake Breedlove, RJ Noble Co. at the driving range.

Ingevity’s foursome; Alex Richardson, Andrew Suarez, Cameron Richardson and Ryan Merritt.

EnviroMine’s foursome on the green.

Jerred Dejong, Griffith Company tees off at hole 1.

Volvo Construction Equipment and Services team members strategize.

Holliday Rock’s group included David Serrano, Alex Kotrotsios, Russell Duval, Mark Molina, Derek Ritarita and Doug Bowlen.

National association news

ESSENTIAL MINERALS ASSOCIATION (EMA)

This has been a year of opportunity and challenge for our industry. Recently passed laws will bolster investments in infrastructure, green energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and other sectors – all dependent on products produced by EMA and CalCIMA members. There is a bipartisan call to reduce American dependence on critical minerals coming from China, Russia, and other foreign sources, to strengthen national security and ensure we have the resources to meet the goals of a new economy.

At the same time, federal agencies, including the Department of Interior and the EPA, as well as Congress, are proposing regulations and laws that will shackle increased domestic mineral production. EMA is actively tracking and commenting on these proposed rules and laws, that range from stricter permitting to amendments to the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. Quite simply, we can’t have it both ways.

These counter-efforts will impact California. For example, the shift to all-electric or hybrid transportation requires broad investments in battery and green energy technologies, infrastructure, and new jobs. How will the state meet these demands without growth in the minerals sector?

Looking forward, EMA will continue advocate for the dual objectives of economic security and the responsible market expansion for its members.

NATIONAL ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION (NAPA)

In September, NAPA joined the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® program. Through this voluntary partnership, NAPA encourages members to reduce energy consumption and costs at asphalt mixture production facilities by employing proven energy-saving technologies and practices.

“NAPA’s partnership with ENERGY STAR complements The Road Forward initiative, an ambitious goal for the asphalt pavement industry to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Audrey Copeland, NAPA President & CEO. “Recent inflation and volatility in energy prices provide further impetus for NAPA members to reduce their financial risk by improving energy efficiency, while also maximizing the impact of projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

NAPA also launched the Asphalt Plant Energy Performance Peer Exchange (APEX) Program, which is available to asphalt mixture producers who want to reduce environmental impacts associated with asphalt plant operations, reduce energy costs, and receive formal recognition from the ENERGY STAR program for managing and reducing energy consumption.

In a pilot of the APEX program, 22 companies received training and peer networking opportunities to better manage and reduce energy consumption at asphalt plants, and even helped draft an asphalt mix plant energy guide. A tool that will allow existing plants to become ENERGY STAR labeled is in development.

More information: AsphaltPavement.org/Expertise/ Sustainability/Tools

NATIONAL STONE, SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION (NSSGA)

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) is proud to announce the opening of registration for CONEXPO-CON/AGG taking place on March 14-18. This is the largest construction materials trade show in North America. As a co-show owner, we encourage everyone in the aggregates industry to register, as participants will get to experience first-hand the technological advances

that have driven growth and innovation in the industry. This meeting runs concurrently with NSSGA’s Annual Convention on March 12-15 which will feature dynamic speakers, important break-out sessions and networking opportunities. Join us as the full force of NSSGA leadership and members will be in Las Vegas on March 12-18 to showcase the future of our industry. See you there!

NATIONAL READY MIXED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION (NRMCA)

Several industry groups had the opportunity to contribute to the New York Times article “Climate Law a ‘Game Changer’ for Highways and Bridges” published on September 6. The article points out that through “…a combination of tax credits and direct funding, including nearly $6 billion to help reduce emissions at manufacturing plants, the Inflation Reduction Act aims to increase the supply of sustainable materials used in infrastructure projects.”

“These credits are really valuable to keep technology coming down in cost,” said Randolph Kirchain, the co-director of the Concrete Sustainability Hub.

NRMCA’s Lionel Lemay suggested an example of ways that funding could be spent: “A concrete plant, for instance, might use the money to install a silo for storing pieces of recycled glass, which could be added to concrete mixes to reduce carbon. A silo could cost $100,000 to 150,000.”

The funding has also gotten the attention of NAPA members: “We’ve already got contractors calling me saying how can we get at this,” said Jay Hansen, with the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Read more here: https://www.nytimes. com/2022/09/06/business/climate-lawsustainable-infrastructure.html

What’s in a name?

By Bud Grebey, EMA Vice President of Communications and External Affairs

officials. It advocates on behalf of members, develops discussion papers and other materials, and hosts symposiums to support these efforts.

EMA’s board of directors approved the rebranding in May. SVP Partners, a graphics firm based in Fairfield, Connecticut, and the Publishing Bureau, a website company based in Glasgow, Scotland, were selected to create the EMA identity. Migrating to a new, more user-friendly online presence was a key element in this decision-making process.

The Industrial Minerals Association – North America has a new name: The Essential Minerals Association (EMA). This evolution includes a refreshed website, new logo, and a revised mission statement.

The mission of the Essential Minerals Association is:

To expand markets for essential minerals and their end-use products.

We do this through advocacy, education, research, and partnerships.

A primary goal of the rebranding is to shift perceptions from “industrial” toward end-use benefits and responsible business behaviors. The name change will also assist in expanding global membership among current mineral sectors, as well as new emerging critical and rare-earth sectors.

The minerals mined and processed by EMA members are critical to the global economy. They are used in energy production and storage, transportation, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, agriculture and ranching, ceramic and glass, and sports and recreation. In fact, if you look around, virtually everything you see, or use is made possible by the essential minerals produced by EMA members.

Based in Arlington, Virginia, EMA ensures that the voices of its members and the socio-economic benefits they provide – from mining to end-use products – are heard by government leaders as well as the public. Founded in 2002, the association researches and tracks issues impacting member companies and serves as a liaison to government

The new name and website were introduced at the association’s annual meeting this September, in New Orleans, Louisiana. n

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Rene Albert Vercruyssen

Former construction company president, Rotarian Rene Vercruyssen dies at 84

CHICO — According to those who knew him well, Rene Albert Vercruyssen was a true pillar of the Chico community.

Vercruyssen died on April 20, 2022 of a heart attack while on a bike ride. He was 84 years old.

Michelle Curran worked with Vercruyssen in the Reading Pals program, a nonprofit which pairs volunteers with students from elementary schools who need a little extra support. Volunteers read with children for an hour per week. Vercruyssen volunteered for the program consistently for 11 years.

“He was one of my very first volunteers, in February of 2011,” Curran said. “He was such a generous spirit. He really saw the potential in each student. Rene went above and beyond.”

Curran said Vercruyssen worked with at least 30 students during his time at Reading Pals. “He was such an impactful person in their lives,” she said.

“He had a way about him. He knew how to encourage and connect with people on a personal level,” Curran said. “He went above and beyond for people and he had a way of seeing them. He was a dear soul; we will all miss him and we appreciated getting to know him. He was a wonderful guy and I’m glad he’s being honored.”

Butte County District 4 Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue also knew and admired Vercruyssen.

“I would just say that for as long as I’ve known Rene, he was very community oriented and always put community first,” Kimmelshue said. “He loved the Chico community. He was a Rotarian for a long time. The Chico Noon Rotary’s motto is

By Jennie Blevins, Chico Enterprise-Record

‘service above self’ and that is how Rene lived his life.”

“If someone asked him to do something, he would do it, even when he was in his 80s.

He had an engineering background, so he provided knowledge and experience,” Kimmelshue said.

Kimmelshue said Vercruyssen served in Chico Noon Rotary from 2001 until he died. He died on a Wednesday and was at a Rotary meeting just the day before.

“He was just a lovely, lovely man and always worked very hard for the community,” Kimmelshue said. “I helped him with a labyrinth project at a children’s park. He oversaw the construction of that. We also did projects at Caper Acres. He was in charge of that and also Centennial park.”

Vercruyssen’s son, Rene Joseph Vercruyssen, had much to say about his father.

“He was a good man, but he never gave himself that label,” said Rene Joseph Vercruyssen. “My

grandfather would tell me your dad is a good man.”

“My dad devoted himself to Rotary, the Salvation Army, seniors in retirement, and Reading Pals,” Vercruyssen said. “This is what the community will remember about him.”

Vercruyssen said his father ran Baldwin Contracting Company, which was bought by Knife River in the 1990s. “With just a high school education from Christian Brothers in Sacramento, he rose to be president of the largest road construction company in Sacramento and Redding. He was a stellar employee,” Vercruyseen said. “His dad told him when he was 14 he would be working summers and weekends.”

“He was a big man, and when he reached his 80s his legs were not what they used to be,” the son said. “Reading Pals extended my dad’s life. By the time my dad went to Rosedale school in the middle of the workday, he had to park down the street from the school and

walk. His walk was labored and unsteady but he loved doing it. He rode his bicycle six days a week so he could stay in shape. He looked like a teenager on that bike. He biked steady into the wind, with resolve.”

Vercruyssen said his father would take his bicycle to Pullins Cyclery for a tune up, and he rode it six days a week, with the exception of Sunday, when he attended St. John the Baptist Church on Chestnut Street.

Vercruyseen said his parents lived in Chico since 1972. His father grew up in Sacramento at 38th and 8th streets. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary and Christian Brothers High School. Vercruyssen met his wife in 1957 and they got married in 1959. Vercruyssen said after his dad retired in 2003 at age 65, he devoted the second chapter of his life to the welfare of others.

“The Salvation Army tagline is ‘doing the most good’ and my dad woke up every morning and thought, where do I go today to do the most good?” Vercruyssen said.

Vercruyssen said his dad loved his mom “more than life itself.”

Jolene Francis, vice president of philanthropy and communications for Enloe Medical Center, said she served in the Chico Noon Rotary for 21 years with Vercruyssen.

“He and his wife Ethyle were married for a long time,” Francis said. “Every year around their anniversary, he would stand up at Rotary meetings and let the club know which year they were married and said ‘my lovely wife and I have been married a long time.’ A man who brags about his wife when she is not around is devoted. It was so sweet, he adored her and talked so kindly about her.”

Glen Eaton was president of the Rotary Club in 2019 and 2020. “Rene was just always there,” Eaton said. “His professional

background in road building was a huge help during projects. He was a great person to talk to about projects. I was always told don’t let him work too hard, but he would just grab a shovel and start digging. His health was not as good as he got older, and he was assigned a high schooler to keep him out of trouble.”

“He was just one of those guys everyone really liked,” Eaton said. “He was a great, great person. We are going to miss him a whole lot. He was a true example of a Rotarian, and that is high praise coming from other Rotarians. He was one of a kind.” n

Partner Sponsor

President of P. W. Gillibrand Co., Inc. Celine Louise Gillibrand dies at 84

By Raelynn Hartlove, P. W. Gillibrand Co., Inc.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Celine Louise Gillibrand, our loving and devoted sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, corporate leader, and friend to all whose lives she touched. Celine passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on the evening of Tuesday June 14, 2022, after a short illness.

Celine was born on January 26, 1938, to Alexis and Violet Lapeyre in Oregon and raised in the Tierra Rejada Valley on her family’s ranch, which was settled by her Grandfather Jean Baptiste Lapeyre. She was the second of five girls in her family. Celine lived an adventurous life. Her adventures began early on at the family ranch. They included international experiences when her father took a job in Liberia, West Africa, building the Port of Monrovia and the Bomi Hills iron ore mine, which eventually led to her enrollment in boarding school at Saint Maur’s Catholic School in Weybridge, Surrey, England. After a few years at boarding school Celine returned home to Ventura County and finished her schooling at Saint Catherine’s All-Girls school. During that time, at a school dance, Celine met her future husband, Phillip Walton Gillibrand. It was in 1956 that their

life together began. They started a family and a business at the same time; while he built the company, she took care of their home and family. Over the years, both the business and family grew. They had two daughters, Madeleine and Theresa. Celine enjoyed raising her two daughters and was actively involved with them in many 4H and equine events. As her children grew up, she became involved in many community organizations and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

In March 1999, Celine’s husband, Phillip Gillibrand, passed away. She then served as the Chief Executive Officer, and Chairwoman of the Board of P.W. Gillibrand Co.,

Inc. Celine devoted 21 years to the company as CEO. She will be remembered for her tireless efforts to make the company successful. During her tenure as CEO, the company prospered and grew through three acquisitions.

Celine was known by many names: Grammy, Grandma, Grandma GG, Mother, Billie, and Mrs. G.

Celine was always active and up for doing pretty much anything with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, going to sports games, joining them on vacations, and taking them individually on special trips. They all were truly the light of her life.

Celine is preceded in death by her parents, Alexis and Violet Lapeyre, her oldest sister Jeanne Canty, and her husband, Phillip Walton Gillibrand. She is survived by her sisters: Marianne Schaffer, Madeline Lapeyre, and Carol Montrose, her two daughters: Madeleine and Theresa Gillibrand, her six grandchildren: Brandon Theising, Courtney Dantona, Amanda Eckels, Vanessa Eckels, Jack Burns, and Sophia Gillibrand Nasser and her seven Great Grandchildren: Phillip Theising, Benjamin Theising, Alex Theising, Rocco Dantona, Ralph Theising, Alice Dantona, Jett Kipling and her beloved friend Iris Ventura. n

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