FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Quarry Haul Fleet Modernized to Highest Efficiency Ratings in State
Hamilton Ink
May 15 , 2007
SAN RAFAEL, CA – Dutra Materials has just completed a diesel emission reduction upgrade of Haul Trucks used at the San Rafael Rock Quarry, it was announced by Aimi Dutra, Director of Community Relations.
In addition to benefiting air quality, the upgrade, which has been implemented more than a year in advance of regulatory requirements, is expected to result in quieter and more fuel-efficient operation of this equipment.
The Quarry has replaced five Tier 0 Haul Trucks and three Tier 1 Haul Trucks with three Tier 3 Haul Trucks and three Tier 2 Haul Trucks, among the latest Tier compliant equipment available.
The equipment upgrade represents a $5 million investment by Dutra Materials to develop and implement a strategy to reduce air pollution and improve local ambient air quality.
Other rolling stock, including loaders and excavators, will also be scheduled for this upgrade. Last year, Dutra converted San Rafael Rock Quarry trucks and other rolling stock to bio-diesel to reduce greenhouse gas emission and improve air quality.
“This is another step in our attempts to make our operations more eco-friendly and increase our efficiency,” said Ms. Dutra.
“The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will require all companies to submit their off-road equipment fleet and emissions information for targeted reductions in May, 2009 to come into compliance with the standards imposed by the newly developed Air Toxic Control Measure.
The compliance requirements begin in early 2008. Our desire was to be an industry leader on compliance with the new CARB regulations and make the switch a year ahead of time.”
The Haul Trucks are used at the Quarry transport rock from the Main Quarry Bowl and the South Hill to stock piles, barge loaders and crushers. The upgraded vehicles represent the entire Haul Truck fleet at the site.
According to Steve Lee, Equipment Manager for Dutra, the new equipment will result in lower fuel consumption, reduced diesel emissions and almost no visible opacity (the black plumes emitted from the exhaust). The modernized equipment is quieter, cleaner burning and produces few emissions through reduction in fuel burned due to improved engine technology.
“These are the most efficient Tier levels available to us at this time,” said Ms. Dutra. “It will insure a significant reduction in emission levels.”
In early August of last year, all San Rafael Rock Quarry rolling vehicles were installed with the bbs-tek broadband back up alarm, a new piece of equipment that emits a non-strident sound that is fully directional and equally effective operationally at 5 dB lower than conventional backup alarms.
In October, the Quarry announced its conversion to the use of bio-diesel on all Quarry vehicles.
“Our goal is to continue to improve the mining operations at the Quarry with more efficient and modern equipment that is more environmentally friendly and efficient,” said Dutra.
“With our new, non-strident back up alarm, our conversion to bio-diesel and now our equipment modernization, we feel that we are making tremendous strides in cutting emissions of greenhouse gasses, reducing noise and improving energy conservation.”
The San Rafael Rock Quarry is located at 1000 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael, California.
Contact:
Aimi Dutra
Dutra Group
Phone: (415) 458-5473
Email: adutra@dutragroup.com