The Conveyor - Winter Issue 2023

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2023 WINTER ISSUE

TABLE of CONTENTS

CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

Amplifying our voice begins with participation

PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE

A year in review, and the year ahead

FEATURE STORY

The Way Forward – An environmental commitment

ENVIRONMENTAL: RECYCLING

AB 2953 - New law advances recycling of concrete & asphalt

ENVIRONMENTAL: REGULATORY UPDATE

A 2023 look ahead - What’s in store for environmental and land use compliance

BUSINESS

ESG for the construction materials industry

INNOVATION

Technology, innovation vie to achieve low-carbon concrete

Q&A WITH CALTRANS

Ramon Hopkins, Chief, Division of Construction - Caltrans 2022 EDUCATION CONFERENCE RECAP Breaking new ground NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NEWS News from national associations

ON THE COVER:

Vulcan Materials Company's San Emidio Solar Plant. Photo provided by White Pine Renewables.

The Conveyor is a publication of the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association. The views expressed herein are fixed expressions of the contributing writers and not of CalCIMA. All rights reserved.

CalCIMA 455 Capitol Mall, Suite 210 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 554-1000 www.calcima.org www.distancematters.org

Published By Construction Marketing Services, LLC

P.O. Box 892977 Temecula, CA 92589 (909) 772-3121

Publisher Kerry Hoover khoover@calcontractor.com

Editor Brian Hoover bhoover@ironads.com

Editorial Contributors

Nathan Forrest, Technical Director, California Nevada Cement Association

Patrick Frawley, Director, Quality Assurance, Central Concrete, a Subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company

Adam Harper, Director of Environmental and Land Use Policy, CalCIMA

Brad Johnson, Founder, Everview Law

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

Julia Maldonado, Communications Coordinator, CalCIMA

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

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 permission is prohibited.

Amplifying our voice begins with participation

As I begin my tenure as Chairman of CalCIMA, I want to thank Marty Hansberger for his outstanding service as Chairman for the past two years. Marty’s leadership and commitment have advanced our agenda in the right direction and left us with a solid platform to meet our future goals.

For those that I have not met, let me take the opportunity to introduce myself. I have been in the industry for 16 years, all with Vulcan Materials Company. I started my tenure with Vulcan in our Illinois market and now serve as Vulcan’s Western Division President. Before I joined Vulcan, I spent time in various industries focusing on supply chain solutions, and it was this exposure that made the unique nature of the construction materials industry immediately clear to me.

Construction materials is a frequently overlooked industry that few people think about, understand, or appreciate. We should stop flying under the radar and celebrate what makes us essential, beneficial and sustainable. Our industry represents the backbone of our economy, and it is time for us to start promoting the incredible work we do to support California’s economy cleanly and responsibly.

As an industry, we share a collective and constant commitment to safety, technology improvements, and optimizing manufacturing processes. However, in my mind, our hard-working people set our industry apart and this is why I am so excited to serve as your next Chairman. I look forward to working with each of you to bring our sometimes differing perspectives into a single, unified voice that will be heard in Sacramento and the local communities. Through your enthusiasm over the last two years, we successfully influenced significant federal and state legislation, helped shape regulatory changes, and advanced technical matters for aggregates, hot-mix asphalt, and ready-mix concrete.

As an organization, we have also continued to provide value to our membership through training and educational events. Over the next several years, let’s use these successes as a springboard to focus on meeting the objectives defined in our strategic plan, including the following key objectives:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive and coordinated Public Policy Advocacy Plan to ensure we actively engage in the political and regulatory process.

• Develop and execute an External Communications Plan to build our brand, so individuals outside of our industry understand the need for our products and services.

• Increase membership in all market segments by recruiting new members and increasing participation within our companies.

We have a robust platform, clear direction, and the necessary momentum to accomplish our objectives which will move us towards the ultimate goal—a unified voice that amplifies our value as an economic driver in California’s economy. This ultimate objective–a unified industry voice–will not be possible unless we focus on the last of the three points noted above: Membership.

I will close with one specific request–PARTICIPATE. Associations are not effective if only a few members participate. We need everyone to be engaged and bring their views to the forefront. I encourage you to recruit new members and commit to increasing participation within your own company. Let’s continue to elevate the profile of the construction materials industry in California. n

Jamie Polomsky President - Western Division Vulcan Materials Company CalCIMA Chairman

Jamie Polomsky

We look forward to your steady and passionate leadership as Chairman of the Board

A year in review, and the year ahead

As we begin a new year in 2023, I appreciate this opportunity to reflect back on 2022, and share thoughts on what’s ahead. The fading pandemic has been replaced by the challenge of unprecedented inflation escalation coupled with historically low unemployment and historically high job vacancy rates. At the same time, a pipeline of federal investment through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act is increasing spending and support for our sector of the economy and climate adaptation.

In that regard, we are planning with an understanding that industry productivity and overall volumes increased in 2022 over 2021, and an anticipated downturn in the general economy for 2023 overall.

In all, we had a good year as an industry, showing our resilience, and are planning judiciously for the future.

2022 HIGHLIGHTS

Organizational:

We continue to fully develop the “Complete CalCIMA Model” and see its benefits as we represent the combined interests of rock, sand, gravel, asphalt, concrete, industrial materials, essential minerals, and metals. The membership roster is strong as is our member leadership at every level.

As we look forward, we will continue our efforts to ensure we have the right structure to fully support all of the needs of our materials members, from the ongoing work on sustainability including a pathway for net-zero concrete and evolution of our Asphalt Steering Committee structure, to active engagement with leadership from the industrial and essential materials and minerals industry and beyond.

Under the direction of female executives in our represented industries, we launched our Women of CalCIMA and Women of Asphalt committees. These initiatives have been formed to support and celebrate women in our industries and their career trajectories as an essential component of our future success in conjunction with preexisting organizations like Women in Mining and Women in Construction.

Legislative:

CalCIMA members worked with our state legislators to reintroduce our recycling effort, AB 2953. This year we got the governor’s signature, which will drive increased local markets for recycled construction aggregates, concrete, and asphalt products.

In addition, we worked through several coalition bills and led an effort to identify how to quantify and report carbon in concrete in public works through the “Buy Clean” statutes as embodied in SB 778. While that bill failed passage, we should be proud of our stature as one of the few in the business sector actively engaging on realistic objectives and “owning” our future to ensure our industry's sustainability.

Regulatory:

Regulatory initiatives ramped up significantly in 2022. While we made headway last year on efforts like the California Pathways to 30x30, San Diego Health Risk Assessment and CAL Green Building Code efforts, everything seems to be overshadowed by the efforts at CARB to regulate vehicle and equipment fleets. This state’s administration has doubled down on hopes and dreams for the future and is having difficulty developing implementable steps forward with functional exemptions where the technology does not exist. Needless to say, we have strong teams of members working with CalCIMA professional staff on these priorities and it will dominate our 2023.

Training and Education:

In 2022 our members came together to celebrate, educate and move our industries forward with a robust calendar of in-person

events and online trainings. We had another year of record attendance at our annual conference, a successful legislative summit, and two spring thaw conferences, all in person. In addition, we launched a successful round of Lunch and Learn seminars and trainings all driven by member requests and operational needs.

Litigation: 2022 saw the continuance of two major legal efforts, the listing of the western Joshua Tree under the California Endangered Species Act and the pending Ventura County case testing the limits of our protections under the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act and the California Environmental Quality Act. Both issues are outstanding and will require further efforts in 2023 as we see them through.

Looking to 2023 and beyond - Strategic Plan: Having made significant progress on the priorities set in the last strategic plan from 2019, the CalCIMA Board of Directors held a strategic planning retreat in the spring of 2022. The outcome of the retreat prioritized three key objectives which we are actively in motion on:

• Advocacy: Develop and implement a comprehensive and coordinated public policy advocacy plan focused on growing and protecting industry revenue growth.

In 2022, we developed Initial Strategies and are prepared to actively engage with our members and advocates early in 2023, ramping up to the Legislative Summit.

• Messaging: Develop a comprehensive external communication plan and strategy.

We have completed the RFP Process and the firm we selected to assist us with this task is already in motion doing initial industry interviews and vetting concepts.

• Membership: Increase member market share in all market segments with refined value propositions for each Joint efforts with members and CalCIMA professional staff are ongoing with more planned engagement after first of the year.

In 2022, CalCIMA members showed their strength and resilience as we shook off the pandemic realities and instead of being defined by them, we stood true to our history by redefining success and owning our future to focus on our members’ business success. While the “bulls” in front of us are starkly different from those in the past, I feel confident we have them by the horns and are “wrangling them” for a successful path ahead in 2023. n

Sincerely, Robert Dugan President/CEO

CalCIMA

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THE WAY FORWARD

An environmental commitment

By Adam Harper, Director of Environmental and Land Use Policy, CalCIMA Photos

As aggregate producers move forward with carbon reductions in their operations, solar power is emerging as a cost-effective approach to reduce the indirect carbon emissions associated with the extraction and processing of stone, sand and gravel. Vulcan Materials Company’s (Vulcan) San Emidio Quarry, outside of Bakersfield, is a successful example. This article details the partnerships, patience, and other prerequisites necessary to make solar power a reality at other mining operations.

Vulcan, in conjunction with White Pine Renewables, has developed an approximate 2MWdc solar power plant which is projected to generate more than 4 million kilowatt hours of clean renewable energy annually for the quarry’s operations. In a relatively short six-month period, 10 acres of land at the quarry were converted by White Pine Renewables and Vulcan into a solar power plant capable of providing approximately 70% of the plant’s electricity usage.

Vulcan’s 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, “The Way Forward,” discusses this project and others Vulcan is pursuing in California and nationally. To view the full report visit csr.vulcanmaterials.com. The report reflects Vulcan’s values including “One Vulcan. Locally Led.” Vulcan was recognized by the California Climate Registry as a Climate Leader in 2008 for developing a voluntary emissions

Materials Company

report. The development of that voluntary inventory of Vulcan’s climate emissions undoubtedly helped form the foundation of understanding emissions from quarry and sand and gravel facilities, as well as the indirect emissions and fuel usage which are a quarry's point of contribution to climate change. These indirect emissions can be substantially reduced and, in some cases, effectively eliminated through a properly configured solar power plant. However, identifying the way forward and implementing it are two separate challenges.

The six-month conversion of the land to a solar power plant was preceded by extensive planning before partnering with White Pine Energy. Evan Riley is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at White Pine, and he summarizes the challenges of permitting solar. “When you have permitted hundreds of solar power plants, you know that it often takes many years, a ton of focus and a stomach of steel.” There were 86 permits and authorizations, as well as countless supply and contracting decisions for the San Emidio project.

Power Purchase Agreements are long-term renewable energy contracts. A significant advantage of the PPA structure is that White Pine Renewables focuses on doing what they do by developing and operating renewable power plants for industry and institutions. White Pine shoulders the up-front costs

of developing the project and gets paid back over the extended term of the PPA by the guaranteed energy purchases of the quarry. The quarry gets to focus on what they do, while using their inherent resources to provide White Pine Renewables a valuable and reliable long-term customer. The PPA effectively aligns incentives between Vulcan (the energy buyer) and White Pine (the project owner). The structure of the business relationship is instructive to the advantages inherent to quarries in developing distributed generation to support their operations and communities. Vulcan, by virtue of the PPA relationship, reduces the carbon footprint of the operation and implements their ESG objectives while continuing to improve and enhance their operations with innovative solutions that are less impactful on the environment. The nature of the carbon reductions achieved enable Vulcan to receive Renewable Energy Credits; (RECs) necessary to offset Scope 2 Emissions.

Many quarries are well positioned to provide such longterm economic guarantees. Joel Huguley, former Energy Manager for Vulcan, noted several key considerations in determining whether a quarry was a good fit for a solar solution. “The fundamentals of quarries are very beneficial,” he notes. Because solar is capital intensive to implement, the facility needs to have adequate reserves to last the lifespan of the PPA.

provided by White Pine Renewables and Christina Campbell, Vulcan

Vulcan Materials Company and White Pine Renewables developed an approximate 2MWdc solar power plant which is projected to generate more than 4 million kilowatt hours of clean renewable energy annually for the quarry’s operations.

Further, it needs to be of sufficient size/production volume and stability for a company to commit to the long-term guaranteed purchase of energy. “Finally,” Huguley adds, “the quarry needs to have adequate land not encumbering future reserves.”

Quarries provide fundamental building blocks of society—rocks, sand and gravel—that have been used from prehistoric to modern times. These materials are used in the construction of roads, bridges, buildings and homes which continues to make them vital for society’s future. Like other natural resource industries, quarries often have additional lands which may be adaptable for solar. Quarries also offer other advantages that help increase their ability to support grid stability for the communities where they operate. Quarries tend to be busy—operating between early morning and early afternoon to support the construction economy. As such, they often are not operating during the late afternoon because they are on Real Time Pricing (RTP) rate structure, participating in

interruptible service contracts with the utility, or simply through the nature of their normal business operations. In a traditional quarry without distributed generation potential, that is a reduction in electric demand that is beneficial to the grid.

For a facility operating solar generation, there is a reduced reliance on the electric grid which enhances its reliability and resilience. Solar generation can remove a significant portion of a facility’s energy demand from the grid during production hours. However, when you are not operating, the solargenerated energy flows to the grid as a source of carbon-free energy. Such resilience can be further enhanced via the installation of batteries which can help transfer power available from daylight to energy available anytime. While the San Emidio Quarry did not, for now, incorporate battery storage, Vulcan has already implemented battery storage projects at various sites throughout the state and has plans to incorporate it elsewhere as part of their overall innovative way forward.

The Vulcan San Emidio Project is an undisputed success from a business, environmental and social context. As stated by Evan Riley, “White Pine Renewables is thrilled to deliver this project for Vulcan. This project is a great example of how on-site solar can be both the cheapest and cleanest source of energy for industrial users, and we look forward to operating this project for Vulcan’s benefit for years to come.” They have improved the value of their product to consumers in reducing its embodied carbon, and done so while creating predictability and projected reductions in their electricity costs and improving the energy resiliency of their community.

Vulcan and White Pine are evaluating additional facilities where on-site solar can be deployed to help Vulcan achieve its ESG and climate leadership objectives and goals while also being conscious of the bottom line. Jamie Polomsky, Vulcan Materials’ President - Western Division comments, “Vulcan is

dedicated to their environmental goals and responsibility, especially stewardship. I am excited that Vulcan is part of the strategic solution for California.” Other companies are undertaking similar projects as the mineral extraction community adapts their

operations. California has hundreds of quarries and sand and gravel facilities distributed around the state. Combined with the many policies and alternative energy incentive programs in California, more and more quarries are evaluating if they have the proper

ingredients—favorable geography, land availability, abundant sunshine, a facility large enough to have sufficient electrical energy demand and strategic symbiotic partnership—to incorporate solar as The Way Forward. n

The point of reference for land, mineral, and environmental strategy. benchmarkresources.com

For a facility operating solar generation, there is a reduced reliance on the electric grid which enhances its reliability and resilience.

Vulcan Materials Company's plant at the San Emidio Quarry outside of Bakersfield.

AB 2953 - New law advances recycling of concrete & asphalt

By Charley Rea, Director of Communications, Safety & Technical Services and Tony Limas, Director of Asphalt Advocacy and Technical Affairs, CalCIMA

Governor Newsom’s recent signing of AB 2953 (Salas), which requires cities and counties to have specifications for use of recycled concrete and asphalt equivalent to or better than Caltrans, furthers a long effort to fully incorporate recycling and move the state towards a circular economy.

Recycling has been an integral part of society’s environmental ethos coming out of the 1960s and 1970s. It has added importance now for its role in reducing greenhouse gases and achieving sustainability in materials use.

Recycling is something that construction materials producers have taken to heart the past 20-30 years, whether recycling concrete and asphalt rubble for base materials, pavements, or various concrete uses. It has also involved use of waste from other waste streams, whether fly ash, slag, shingles, tires, plastics, and glass.

By conserving natural resources, reusing manufactured products, and reducing transportation, the environmental benefits of this recycling is astounding. Use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) reduces oil consumption by 12%, use of natural aggregates by 15%, and reduces CO2 emissions nationwide by over 21 million tons annually. Using returned fresh concrete saves 15.5% in carbon impacts and 16.2% in embodied energy for every yard of concrete. The use of fly ash and slag in concrete reduces cement use and, thus, can reduce CO2 emissions up to 20%.

The use of recycled tires in asphalt reduces fuel use by 20-25%.

In addition, recycled materials expand the available supply of materials, which is critically important in meeting public works and housing demands, particularly at a time when it is difficult to permit new sources of natural resources, such as aggregates.

Caltrans and several local agencies have been in the forefront of recycling. The City of Los Angeles allows up to 50% RAP for certain asphalt pavements. The City of San Francisco requires 15% recycled concrete in many applications. Caltrans was the first state Dept. of Transportation to allow the use of returned fresh concrete in certain concrete applications.

Yet, despite these advances being in place for years, many local jurisdictions’ public works departments have consistently prohibited or limited the use of recycled construction materials. While there have been attempts to encourage local governments, including from the Legislature in SB 1, to increase their use of recycled materials, many simply have not.

As a result, CalCIMA initiated a legislative effort to require cities and counties to at least achieve the Caltrans standards for recycled materials. With the backing of the State Legislature, which supported the legislation unanimously in every vote over a two-year period, the Governor signed AB 2953 into law this past fall.

This is what the bill does:

• Requires local agencies to use specifications that allow for the use of recycled materials at or above the level in Caltrans specifications. Specifically, it requires the following:

• Allow up to 100% recycled concrete and asphalt on road base and sub-base.

• Allow up to 25% RAP in asphalt pavements.

• Allow use of cement replacements, such as fly ash, slag, and silica fume, in concrete.

• Allow use of recycled aggregate from concrete in sidewalks, curbs and similar applications.

• Allow up to 15% returned fresh concrete in a new minor concrete.

• The requirements apply to cities with over 25,000 population and counties with over 100,000 population.

• The requirement does not apply if the availability of material is not feasible or cost-effective.

• The requirement goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The passage of AB 2953 provides a great opportunity for the state and material producers to increase recycling! Now is the time to start working with local governments to ensure they understand the new requirements!

To learn more about the legislation or education efforts with local governments, contact Tony Limas or Charley Rea. n

A 2023 look ahead - What’s in store for environmental and land use compliance

By Adam Harper, Director of Environmental and Land Use Policy, CalCIMA

The year 2023 promises to be an exceptionally busy environmental compliance year for materials producers in California. With the state predominantly focused on carbon reductions and outlined goals for net-zero carbon from most sectors by 2045, just 22 years away as of January 1, 2023, we will have a plethora of challenges to begin adapting to meet those goals. But more immediately, recent modifications to traditional environmental regulations to limit criteria pollutants and water quality impacts will drive significant compliance responses and expenditures for construction and industrial material producers.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) have recently finalized or are in the process of finalizing rule modifications. As these rulemakings wind down, CalCIMA will continue to engage in the regulatory processes while also working to develop programs to assist members with compliance.

With all the recent rulemaking has also come increased incentive funding which producers will need to remain vigilant for as every segment of the economy is making fundamental changes to adapt to a new energy economy and considerations. Competition for scarce funds will be heavy.

Already adopted rules and standards where the compliance

path and timelines are set include CARB’s Heavy Duty Inspection & Maintenance Program (HDIMP) and the SWRCB’s Construction Stormwater Permit. The HDIMP is being implemented by heavy-duty fleets and began phasing in on January 1, 2023. The program will ensure the continued performance of vehicle emission control systems through inspection and maintenance and was estimated to cost $6 billion.

WATER

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted modifications to the Construction Stormwater Permit, which will be effective in September 2023 and include new requirements including passive treatment systems. Producers who engage in construction will need to adjust. As a permit and not a regulation, no estimated total cost to implement the order is provided, but the cost effectiveness of rule provisions are analyzed individually in determining the practicability of provisions inside the permit.

As the various stormwater permits are amended over time, the completion of the Construction Stormwater Permit also means we can expect SWRCB to begin discussions of revisions to the Industrial Stormwater Permit which CalCIMA’s Environmental and Natural Resources Committee is preparing to participate in. This is the stormwater general permit for production activities.

AIR

Regulations planned by CARB to be in effect in 2024 include the Advanced Clean Fleet Regulation and amended In-Use Off Road Equipment Regulations. These will both require preparatory steps in 2023 for effective management and CARB has given no indication the 2024 compliance obligations are changing as they finalize adoption.

The Advanced Clean Fleets regulation which is nearing finalization had its first hearing in October and the Board gave direction to staff to make modifications for 15-day comment. Numerous 2024 compliance obligations within this rule will have fleets and producers developing compliance and investment plans even as adoption finalizes.

Unlike previous rules where the new fueling equipment was plugand-play, companies will need to consider their land and facility space available to develop into charging depots and start long range plans to ensure they can maintain their operations as they transition vehicles and facilities.

This regulation has an estimated net savings to the economy of $22 billion come 2050, but in early years adds significant capital costs for fleet owners with expected incremental costs increases of $6.3 billion for vehicles purchased, $2.3 billion for infrastructure installation and $1.5 billion in additional sales and excise taxes in the period 2024 through 2030. As it is a priority

of the Administration, and is expected to be finalized quickly.

In addition, amendments to the In-Use Off Road Equipment regulations are in a similar status and undergoing final modifications before adoption. This regulation will have off road fleets continue the previously adopted fleet average targets of the current rule as well as require the retirement of additional equipment on a phased schedule and increasingly limit what types of vehicles may be purchased and added to fleets.

Between 2023 and 2038, this regulation is expected to have a net cost of $1.9 billion. However, as the regulation acts to accelerate the retirement and expected replacement of equipment to achieve emission reductions early, it also accelerates costs in the years 2023 through 2031.

LAND USE

We also expect regulatory activities in other areas in 2023. The State Mining and Geology Board will be adopting modifications to the model Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) ordinance, which will finalize the implementation of a CalCIMA supported SMARA modernization process begun with the adoption of AB 1142 (Gray) and SB 209 (Pavley). The Model ordinance ensures local governments incorporate necessary modifications within their SMARA ordinances.

The tracking and identification of incentives will be another priority in 2023. The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) creates multiple incentive grant opportunities for decarbonization and other actions which will be released as grants via different agencies.

CARB adopted over $2.6 billion in funds for incentives and grant programs of many types. While much is targeted in ways that will ensure the funds go to public and transit agencies, hundreds of millions in different programs will be available. A very helpful resource for tracking State Grants is Grants.ca.gov. It is important to note that funds which go from CARB to the Air Districts for distribution do not appear to be tracked here and one must follow their local air district for notifications on these opportunities.

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ESG for the construction materials industry

By Brad Johnson, Founder, Everview Law

It only takes a quick review of the politics and environment sections of any major news outlet to see the tension around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concepts and business practices. News articles report that some public figures question ESG’s value and impact on business performance. While there may be some truth to those concerns in certain business contexts, data show that ESG concepts and business practices are real, effective, and impactful in the construction materials industry. I recently spoke at CalCIMA's annual Education Conference on this topic, focusing on how an effective ESG strategy can drive success for operators of all sizes in the construction materials industry.

ESG strategies, when implemented thoughtfully and effectively, have been shown to drive improved business results, strengthen community relations and operators’ “license to operate,” and help support effective recruiting. Done right, ESG strategies also help identify and manage material business risks.

A report by EY (formerly Ernst & Young) titled The Top Ten Business Risks and Opportunities for the Mining and Metals Industry in 2023, ranked ESG as the top risk and opportunity for the construction materials industry. With ESG-related laws and regulations already impacting mining operations and more coming down the line, it’s essential for those in the materials industry to have a plan to integrate ESG

practices into their business operations and reduce future ESG-related risks.

ESG laws and policies are being driven at the federal and state level. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been a major driving force for publicly traded companies to integrate ESG concepts into their business plans. Earlier this year, the SEC announced a formal rulemaking that would codify climate-related disclosure requirements and require publicly traded companies to report their material climate risks, emissions data, and clean energy transition plans. On the enforcement side, the recently formed SEC ESG Task Force has already undertaken a number of enforcement actions against mining companies for ESG-related violations.

At the state level, California continues to charge ahead aggressively with legislative and regulatory programs focused on reducing the impacts of climate change and developing clean energy. We can expect state legislators and regulators to intensify this focus over the coming

years. Just this fall, California adopted several major ESG-related laws, including AB 1279, which will be felt in this industry as California ratchets up its already stringent emissions regulations, and SB 1137, which requires new California oil and gas facilities to be constructed a minimum of 3200 feet from homes. SB 1137 is a clear indicator of the potential for similar setback rules for the construction materials industry.

Although the EY report and other survey data shows that the materials industry on the whole recognizes ESG as a significant risk to business operations, the industry has been slow to adopt strategies and plans to reduce these risks. The mining sector would be well advised to keep a finger on the pulse of ESG-related issues given this public policy landscape and the industry’s vulnerability to shifting attitudes about acceptable environmental practices.

To integrate ESG into your business operations and reduce your future ESG-related risks, construction materials operators should first look to assess current

Technology, innovation vie to achieve low-carbon concrete

By Patrick Frawley, Director,

Director, California Nevada Cement Association

Concrete is a miracle product. The global construction industry is built around how concrete—formally known as Portland cement concrete—pumps, finishes, sets up, gains strength, looks and maybe most importantly, costs. Concrete’s usefulness has led to approximately 4.4 billion tons of production per year.

But with that amount of concrete produced, there come large quantities of CO2 emissions. About 80% of that is associated with the manufacture of cement, the powdery ingredient in concrete that provides strength and binds the other materials—primarily aggregates and water—together. The high carbon impact of cement is due to carbon embodied in its mineral constituent of limestone and heating to generate a chemical reaction.

This overall carbon impact has stimulated much action, thinking, and research on how to either achieve efficiencies in concrete operations or develop new and different ways to make cement. This is an exciting time, and concrete and cement producers have been at the forefront of addressing this challenge!

On-going Efforts

On the concrete side, there has been significant progress by ready mixed concrete suppliers in the past 10 years in reducing the impact of concrete through the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), which partially replace cement. The most common SCMs have been fly ash and slag, products of coal and steel plants, and they have been able to replace 20-30% or more of the cement in

concrete. However, questions about their long-term viability persist.

For cement, producers are beginning to offer cements that incorporate a blend of other, less carbon intensive products, thus reducing the amount needed of the traditional ingredients. These include Portland Limestone Cement (Type IL), which adds limestone after the heating process, and which is now being produced by many cement plants. But, they are also offering cements blended with slag (Type IS), natural pozzolans (Type IP), and combinations of the above (Type IT). Already, sources of these are allowed in Caltrans specifications and are on Caltrans’ authorized cementitious materials list. These blended cements can reduce cement CO2 emission by approximately 8%, and potentially by much more.

From our local association, the California Nevada Cement Association, to the Portland Cement Association nationally, and the Global Cement and Concrete Association globally, the cement industry is committed to achieving carbon neutrality in the production of cement by 2045 here in California. These groups have identified the key technologies and timelines required to achieve this goal and are working every day to ensure it happens.

New Technologies

While concrete and cement producers are looking at different ways to reduce carbon in their operations, a variety of start up companies are looking at other ways to reduce the carbon impact of the materials and processes.

Although mostly in the early stages of research or development, they all project significant carbon reductions if successful. Here is a review of some of the technologies and processes being considered.

Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) is a cement blend that includes a significant amount of calcined clay due to its abundance and low cost. Many of these LC3 formulations will ‘fit’ under the Type IT category, so the table is already set for their use. This product is useful for achieving low carbon concrete without the use of supplementary cementitious materials.

One startup has begun to build a plant to manufacture cement from calcium silicate rock instead of limestone. The proponents point out that calcium silicate doesn’t have C02 as part of its chemistry, so producing cement from this material doesn’t release the CO2 from the chemical process. If the energy input for this cement production were net zero, the cement produced could also be net zero, or even carbon-negative.

As the previous two technologies continue to heat raw materials to create a reactive material one company is developing an electrochemical production process that operates at room temperature. The result is a carbon-free limestone.

Sequestration of CO2 emissions is becoming a popular technique to drive down the carbon footprint of new alternative cementitious materials. One company has developed a method to capture the CO2 emissions from cement production and reuse it to make synthetic limestone. This process is

Quality Assurance, Central Concrete, a Subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company and Nathan Forrest, Technical

anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% and has the advantage of being adaptable to current cement plants. A trial of this technology is being done at a cement plant in California.

Another company is utilizing sequestered CO2 as a feedstock for algae, sunlight, and seawater to create natural and biogenic limestone. Limestone that would normally take millennia to produce, can now be done in minutes while capturing the carbon. Essentially, this allows the continued use of cement, but removes the emissions created in its formation.

Finally, the rock and sand (known as aggregates) that goes into concrete comprises about 80% of its bulk and is now being looked at. One company is specifically attempting to use CO2 captured from industrial sources to create limestone rocks from it by reversing the chemical reaction found in

traditional cement production. By capturing CO2 in rock, this process could permanently mineralize CO2 and forever keep it out of the atmosphere. Known as a sequestered aggregate, the company believes that if it can replace even 16% of the aggregate in use today, then this process alone could achieve the CO2 storage needed by 2050 to keep temperature rise below 1.5%.

These are only some of the technologies and solutions being actively developed. While all are in some level of development, they all have challenges in scale, demonstration, and financial support, but also in gaining acceptance from users and project owners through specifications.

Integrating Change

As these products hit the market in the next 10-15 years, the next challenge for us as an industry will be how to integrate these materials

into our concrete plants. Ready mixed concrete plants are set up to batch tens of thousands of tons of a single material, the standard cement, through overhead silos. That standard cement is used in every mix, from low strength backfill to high strength building core walls. If the standard cement goes away and there are now dozens of available materials with different fresh and hardened concrete performance, concrete producers won’t be able to replace them oneto-one, so concrete batch plants will need major investment to allow for more space for these products to be used.

Our industry is working tirelessly with CalCIMA, and other partner industry associations, to make sure we have the support we need to ensure we meet global emissions goals by exploring new technologies to develop innovative and sustainable products. n

Ramon Hopkins

Chief, Division of Construction - Caltrans

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

Q - The Construction Division is at the vortex of so much that happens with Caltrans, including new demands from funding, equity and safety. How is the Division managing all this?

A - Fortunately, Caltrans developed a new strategic plan in 2020 which increased the focus on safety, climate change, and social equity in addition to a continuing focus on stewardship and innovation. Working with our districts and industry we have been able to prioritize and bring new tools to field staff. These include better data collection tools (iPads, lidar, and drones), an electronic document management system, and e-Construction related applications.

We have also implemented several process improvements to our Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program and prompt payment monitoring to improve equity, including updates to our specifications, monitoring systems, Construction Manual, and training.

We continue to improve safety in the work zones, including the Annual Safety Summits and implementation of positive work zone protection devices such as moveable barriers, mobile barriers, and temporary barrier systems.

Q - SB 1 gave Caltrans more emphasis to be efficient. What is the Division doing in this regard?

A - We have taken on several initiatives to improve efficiency. One is the change to a two-year asphalt Job Mix Formula, which saves $8 million, along with saving 6,800 tons in greenhouse gas emissions.

Another is the initiation of a pilot for Test Turnaround Time on asphalt tests, to ensure more timely reporting. This started in March 2022, and we expect to have recommendations in early 2023.

A trial also began on E-Ticketing in April 2021. This is intended to move away from the cumbersome practice of printing, collecting, maintaining, and retaining paper weigh tickets to safer, more efficient, and sustainable electronic ticketing. The pilot program involves the 3 major materials: asphalt, concrete, and aggregates. Producers and contractors will be excited to know that a PEER Exchange workshop with FHWA, industry and 4 other state DOTs in mid-October has led to a roadmap to be rolled out in coming months. Keep an eye out for this!

Lastly, the Division of Construction is working to improve the Material Plant Quality Program (MPQP)

prequalification program, which will help reduce delays in projects. The Division is completing the development of a dashboard to track and report prequalification certification time to make the prequalification program more efficient.

Q - Sustainability is important for the state, Caltrans, and material producers. What is the Division doing in this area?

A - A significant recent development has been the Construction Division’s collaboration with the Air Resource Board to reduce emissions from construction equipment.

One is to require the use of renewable diesel (Standard Special Provisions in Section 5-1.35). It applies to projects in Districts 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12, ones greater than $2 million with at least 100 working days, and excavation greater than 5,000 cubic yards. Renewable diesel can save up to 10% of NOx, 30% of PM2.5, and up to 80% in greenhouse gases.

Caltrans has also issued a non-standard special provision (NSSP) to require the use of Tier 4 interim or Tier 4 final off-road diesel-fueled equipment. This will apply to work located wholly or i n-part of an AB 617 Community. The Tier 4 diesel engines are currently the cleanest engines.

We are also looking at material recycling techniques, too. The Standard Specifications were revised to require a report (CEM4403 Recycled Materials Report) by the contractor on the use of

Ramon Hopkins - Chief, Division of Construction - Caltrans.

recycled materials.  Now, we are working on a methodology to demonstrate the positive environmental impacts from recycling.

The Division is also active in several efforts to increase sustainability in materials specifications through the Pavement and Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC).

Q - Inflation has brought a new challenge in regard to materials and construction. Are there policy changes being considered?

A - We have tried to do some creative things. One is that we have modified our “materials on hand” specifications to allow contractors and suppliers to be paid when materials are delivered to the job site rather than when the materials

have been incorporated in the projects. The allowable materials have been expanded and the thresholds for “materials on hand” payments have been reduced. Secondly, we have been working with suppliers and contractors to implement commodity indices to share the risk of material escalation. We are currently developing a fuel index specification which we plan to pilot early in 2023. Once this has been completed, we plan to evaluate the use of indices for other commodities such as steel, timber and possibly cement.

Q - What do you see as future challenges or innovations for the Division?

A -  For challenges, I see 1) hiring qualified new staff fast enough to backfill retirements; 2) attracting

the next generation to engineering and especially construction; and 3) how the development of autonomous vehicles could affect the workforce of contractors, suppliers, material producers.

For innovations, the Construction Division is focused on two areas. One is to implement new technology such as drones to inspect projects or roadways. This could reduce the need for long travel and provide quicker response to emergencies. The other is implementation of building information modeling (BIM) for infrastructure. This will allow for preventative project planning as opposed to reactive project planning. n

By Julia Maldonado, Communications Coordinator, CalCIMA

CalCIMA held its annual conference at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in beautiful La Jolla, California. With 275 attendees, a sold-out banquet and a brand new mixer for CalCIMA’s Women of CalCIMA, the 2022 Education Conference was a big success.

The conference kicked off with business meetings for the governmental affairs, environmental, associate, concrete and asphalt technical committees. Members had the chance to gather together in person with their committees before the conference to discuss their respective important matters.

Following was the new member orientation, where CalCIMA President/CEO Robert Dugan delivered a presentation to new and newly engaged members about who CalCIMA is and what they do, as well as how to make the most out of their membership. CalCIMA members made their way over to the Women of CalCIMA Mixer, which was a stellar turnout, with over 100 members in attendance.

Wednesday and Thursday was all about education. Starting

with the annual safety awards, CalCIMA honored companies and individuals who go above and beyond to make safety a priority. This was followed by the state of the industry address by Dugan and representatives from our national association partners, NAPA, NSSGA, NRMCA and EMA (formerly IMA-NA).

CalCIMA’s keynote speaker was Merryl Tengesdal, a retired U-2 fighter pilot and the only African American woman to do so. Tengesdal talked about how she overcame adversity and achieved great success serving in the US Navy and US Air Force. She showed how she is still a motivating force with a clip of her in the fourth season of Tough as Nails on CBS, where she operated a roller in a construction challenge which was filed at Vulcan Materials Company’s Soledad Canyon facility.

The panel sessions focused on transportation, permitting and sustainability. The Federal Highway Administration and Caltrans discussed developments regarding transportation funding. The permitting panel discussed the

issues and challenges they faced in their operations, while the sustainability panel discussed how their companies incorporate sustainability.

To wrap up Wednesday, CalCIMA’s sold out California Dreamin’ banquet honored CalCIMA members who go above and beyond for the organization. The night concluded with music from The Beach Boys cover band, The Surf City Allstars.

Thursday was dedicated to breakout sessions, which focused on the environment, concrete and asphalt. Presentations involved ESG practices, carbon neutrality, supplementary cementitious material, Portland limestone cement, plastics and RAP in asphalt, and much more.

That’s a wrap for the 2022 Education Conference. Thank you to all who attended, presented and sponsored. Interested in helping plan the 2023 Education Conference? Join the Education Events & Member Services Commitee at www.calcima.org/ committees n

Keynote speaker Col. Merryl Tengesdal (ret) inspired and uplifted the audience by sharing her unique experiences as the first and only African American woman to fly the U.S Air Force U-2 Aircraft.

Col. Merryl Tengesdal (ret) signs her book Shatter the Sky for CalCIMA members Johanna Nunez, Abbey Sanderson and Barbara Goodrich-Welk, Vulcan Materials Company – Western Division at the CalCIMA Education Conference.

Dan Staebell, from Cargill, Inc., gives a presentation about pavement rejuvenating agents.

Goodfellow Corporation networking at their booth at the CalCIMA welcome reception.

Brad Johnson of Everview Law welcomed members during the opening breakfast, sponsored by Everview Law.

The Women of CalCIMA mixer was held on Tuesday, October 25 and sponsored by Martin Marietta.

Elissa Konove, Federal Highway Administration (left), Tony Tavares, Director of Caltrans and Robert Dugan, President/ CEO, CalCIMA shared key trends and developments in transportation funding policies and programs.

Michael Smith, Teichert Materials (left), Neill Brower, JMBM, Patrick Mitchell, Mitchell Chadwick, and Russell Frink, HTHG.

The National Associations: Jay Hansen, NAPA (left), Michael Phillips, NRMCA, Chris Greissing, EMA, Michael Johnson, NSSGA and Robert Dugan, President/CEO, CalCIMA.

David Donaldson, Summit Strategy Group (left), Barb GoodrichWelk, Tim Reed and Jamie Polomsky of Vulcan Materials Company.

Peggy Robertson, AGC (left), Camille Vargas, Holliday Rock, George Smith, Holliday Rock, Gary Kirk, CalPortland, Jason Toland, Spragues’ Ready Mix, Steve Toland, Spragues’ Ready Mix and Marcus Eminhizer, CalPortland.

ASPHALT

Pat Imhoff – CalPortland

Kevin McNeil – Graniterock

Frank Rancadore - Graniterock

Tim Reed - Vulcan Materials Company

Corina Wong – Granite Construction AIR REGULATION ENGAGEMENT

Raven Adams – Granite Construction

Larry Camilleri – Granite Construction

Craig Flowers – Granite Construction

Ryan Niese – Clark Pacific

Damian Nunez – Granite Construction

Patty Quan-Handley – Granite Construction

Kevin Rounds – Granite Construction

John Vanlenten – Granite Construction

SB 778 – BUY CLEAN

Patrick Frawley – Central Concrete, a Subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company

Shubhada Gadkar – National

Ready Mixed Concrete Co.

Juan “Johnny” Gonzalez –

Central Concrete, a Subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company

Mark Hill – CEMEX

Gary Kirk – CalPortland

James Mack – CEMEX

Hernán José Pérez – CEMEX

Katha Redmon – Graniterock

INDIVIDUAL

Meggy Gidula – Golder Associates, Inc./WSP

Juan “Johnny” Gonzalez –

Central Concrete, a Subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company

Russell Morton – National Ready Mixed Concrete Co., Inc.

EVENT SPONSORS

Keynote Speaker

Vulcan Materials Company

Women of CalCIMA Mixer

Martin Marietta SESSION HOST

Session Sponsors

Carbon Cure Technologies

Everview Law

Harrison Temblador Hungerford & Guernsey

Brown and Caldwell

CalPortland

Granite Construction, Inc.

CarbonCure Technologies

Graniterock

Superior Industries

Taylor Environmental Services, Inc.

Harrison Temblador Hungerford & Guernsey

Lilburn Corporation

Surface Tech

Haley & Aldrich, Inc.

Mitchell Chadwick LLP

Sespe Consulting, Inc.

Vulcan Materials Company

Special Events

A&A Ready Mixed Concrete, Inc.

Lilburn Corporation

Mitchell Chadwick LLP

Sespe Consulting, Inc.

Surface Tech

Advertisement Sponsors

Benchmark Resources

Brown and Caldwell

Cemex

Crystal Waters Consulting, LLC

Harrison Temblador Hungerford & Guernsey

Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP

Lilburn Corporation

Sespe Consulting, Inc.

Teichert Materials

Yorke Engineering, LLC

National association news

ESSENTIAL MINERALS ASSOCIATION (EMA)

The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) continues to focus on several key environmental issues on behalf of our members and the industry.

1) EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ final Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule which greatly expands the agency's authority and disregards the input given by EMA and others while not providing the clear, durable WOTUS definition we need.

2) EPA’s new proposed Fugitive Emissions Rule which could force many of our members to endure lengthy and expensive permitting for future modifications or expansions by making them count fugitive emissions for Clean Air Act compliance.

3) Permitting reform: While unsuccessful efforts on reform happened in 2022, we are going to continue to work with the Administration and Congress to pass a meaningful permitting reform bill to shorten timelines, remove redundancies and limit legal challenges which would promote a stronger domestic minerals industry.

More info: www.essentialminerals.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ essentialmineralsassociation

NATIONAL ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION (NAPA)

New Programs Aim to Reduce Energy Consumption

In September, the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) became a partner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program.

Through the voluntary partnership, NAPA encourages its members to reduce energy consumption and costs at asphalt mixture production facilities by employing proven energysaving technologies and practices. Simultaneously, NAPA launched the Asphalt Plant Energy Performance Peer Exchange (APEX) Program. The APEX Program 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 about the APEX program is available at AsphaltPavement.org/Expertise/ Sustainability/Tools.

NATIONAL STONE, SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION (NSSGA)

NSSGA Quarterly Update - Focus on WOTUS

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) has been a leader in seeking a clear and protective Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) definition for decades. A change is likely soon, as the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) is considering whether the current test for whether a wetland is a WOTUS is valid in the Sackett v. EPA case. This past summer, NSSGA with ARTBA submitted an amicus brief and SCOTUS heard oral arguments of the case on Oct. 3. An opinion will be released before the end of their term in May.

At the same time, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers appear close to releasing yet another WOTUS rule. In submitted comments in February, NSSGA noted that the current Biden Administration rulemaking should be delayed until after the Sackett case is decided. NSSGA will keep members up to date while continuing to fight for a more reasonable approach that balances needed environmental protection with the industry’s ability to provide materials for vital infrastructure.

NATIONAL READY MIXED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION (NRMCA)

NRMCA Revises Fees for EPD Verification Program

NRMCA is now offering Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verifications at a fraction of the previous cost. The service is available to NRMCA members at a reduced cost, as well as to nonmember companies. Under the new fee structure, NRMCA members can have EPDs for up to three ready-mix concrete plants verified for a flat fee of $1,250 ($2,000 for non-members), or up to 10 plants for a flat fee of $2,500 ($4,500 for non-members), with negotiated fees for 11 or more plants. Additional plants verified within 6 months, or changes to verified EPDs at any time that the EPD is valid, are billed at an hourly rate of $300/hour ($450/hour for non-members), based on the time required by the third-party verifier. Under the previous fee structure, similar volumes of work cost between $3,500 and over $8,000.

EPDs published by NRMCA and information about the program are available at www.nrmca.org/ sustainability.

For more information, contact Matthew Lemay at mlemay@nrmca.org. n

New Name. Stellar Pedigree. Visionary Outlook.

Eco Material Technologies combines the operations of Boral Resources – America’s largest manager and marketer of fly ash and other coal combustion products – with Green Cement Inc. – a manufacturer of near-zero carbon cement alternatives.

Building on more than two decades as a leader in providing construction materials industries with products that enhance performance and create environmental improvements, Eco Material Technologies is poised to play a key role in its customers’ initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality.

Eco Material Technologies is your partner in a cleaner future.

www.ecomaterial.com

Branch 19428 Colombo Street

Bakersfield, CA 93308 Phone: 661-392-1912 bakersfield@cir.net

Yuba City Branch

1690 Sierra Avenue

Yuba City, CA 95993 Phone: 530-674-2444 yubacity@cir.net

Fresno Branch 2539 South Cherry Ave. Fresno, CA 93706 Phone: 559-268-7321 fresno@cir.net

Carlin, NV 1120 Green St. Carlin, NV 89822 Phone: 775-754-6747 carlin@cir.net

Sliger Machineworks (A division of CIR) 3620 South Bagley Ave Fresno, CA 93725 Phone: 559-442-0211 machineworks@cir.net

Merced Branch 2280 Cooper Avenue Merced, CA 95348 Phone: 209-722-8844 merced@cir.net

Sparks, NV 1095 Spice Islands Dr. #103 Sparks, NV 89431 Phone: 775-356-0192 sparks@cir.net

Tulare Branch 4500 South "K" Street Tulare, CA 93274 Phone: 559-686-1677 tulare@cir.net