Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) awarded a $175,000 grant to CalPortland to replace a 1999 Terex Bore/Drill rig with a 2019 Caterpillar MD2650 Drill.
MDAQMD says the new drill is expected to see a 76% reduction on average in nitrogen oxides, reactive organic gases and particulate matter combined.
Bruce Shafer, senior vice president cement operations at CalPortland, says: "CalPortland continues to seek out opportunities to save energy and lower our carbon footprint by reducing emissions in the communities where we operate. Partnering with the MDAQMD has allowed us to replace older technology with a more efficient drill that significantly reduces emissions.”
The grant funding comes from the Carl Moyer Program, which provides monetary grants to private companies and public agencies to clean up their heavy-duty engines beyond what is required by law through retrofitting, repowering or replacing their engines with new and cleaner ones.
MDAQMD’s executive director Brad Poiriez says: “CalPortland continues to be a community partner that is aggressive in their efforts to reduce emissions and we hope they continue to serve as an example to others to explore the options the District can provide in creating a healthier environment for our residents.”
