NRMCA e-news

Government Affairs

NRMCA Advocacy News Roundup Updated Through November 18

Media articles on Congress, transportation infrastructure, regulation, taxes and other subjects, each of which relate to the ready mixed concrete industry, are updated each week by NRMCA's Government Affairs staff. To access the most recent compilation of articles for November 14-18, 2016, please click here.

If you would like to receive this weekly updated link in a separate e-mail or if you have questions or comments about the roundup, contact NRMCA’s Kerri Leininger at kleininger@nrmca.org.

NRMCA Urges Member Action on Timber Legislation

Earlier this year, the Timber Innovation Act (S. 2892/H.R. 5628) was introduced, authorizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to place ‘mass timber’ as the material of choice for all tall building structures exceeding 85 ft. or above. The bill advocates the acceleration of research and development (R&D), education, marketing, technical assistance, training and promotion of engineered, cross-laminated timber (CLT's). The bill will give the wood industry a market share advantage above all others in tall building structures.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=412340&issueID=44483 to view the full article online.

Buildings

Report Examines Costs and Benefits of Building with Resiliency

Recent research from MIT’s Concrete Sustainability Hub found that a $10 million non-engineered wood building is expected to face $0.505 million in hazard related damages over 50 years, while a $10 million engineered concrete building is expected to face only $0.165 million over the same period. According to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the global cost of climate-related disasters has dramatically increased each decade: from $50 billion in the 1960's (16 disasters) to $400 billion in the 1990's (70 disasters).

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=411978&issueID=44483 to view the full article online.

Policies to Support Net Zero Energy Also Support Concrete

Policies and programs can dramatically change the landscape for the use of concrete products such as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). ICFs are a proven solution for energy efficiency in the mid-rise residential market. The first Zero Net Energy (ZNE) school in the nation was built with ICFs. Compared to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), ZNE buildings are a relatively new movement. However, there is burgeoning market interest in ZNE, and policies and programs can foster and grow that interest through direct support and the reduction of risks.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=412169&issueID=44483 to view the full article online.

NRMCA Introduces New System Level Environmental Product Declaration Program

NRMCA has verified a system level Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program to help members meet new product transparency credits in green building standards.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=412176&issueID=44483 to view the full article online.

Maryland ICF Projects Are Moving Forward

NRMCA is currently assisting two Maryland developers as they move into construction on their mixed use and multi-family projects built with Insulated Concrete Forms, reports NRMCA's Gregg Lewis. Through NRMCA’s Build With Strength initiative and the Design Assistance Program for Buildings, association staff and its consultants were able to provide valuable information to the developers, allowing them to better evaluate their options to build their projects with concrete. The resources made available through the support of NRMCA members allowed the developers to make better informed decisions about the best way to move forward in meeting their project goals and they both chose to build with ready mixed concrete and insulated concrete forms.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=412182&issueID=44483 to view the full article online.

OES

White House Releases Fall Regulatory Agenda

Last Thursday, the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) published the Fall 2016 Unified Agenda. The Unified Agenda is the clearinghouse for public access to federal regulatory agencies’ respective regulatory actions, covering 60 departments, agencies and commissions; including EPA, OSHA, FMCSA and the IRS. Some of the regulatory actions covered include, but are not limited to, FMCSA’s CDL Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse rule, OSHA’s Backing and Powered Industrial Trucks rules, as well as EPA’s changes to stormwater regulations.

Click here to view updated regulatory proposals/rules and their timelines. For more information, contact Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.

OSHA Finalizes Updates to Walking/Working Surfaces, Fall Protection Standards

Last Friday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finalized a rule updating walking/working surfaces and fall protection requirements for general industry workers. The updates bring the general industry standard into closer alignment with the construction industry standards. Many of the changes are definitional and outline newly required and accepted systems, methods and practices.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=412212&issueID=44483 to view the full article online.

Judge Permanently Freezes "Persuader" Rule Nationwide

Last Wednesday, Judge Samuel R. Cummings of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a permanent injunction against the Department of Labor’s final rule known as the "persuader" rule. This latest development likely halts the rule’s implementation until the next Administration takes office, possibly meaning the end to the persuader rule.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/nrc-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=412222&issueID=44483 to view the full article online.

January 10-12, Orlando, FL - NRMCA Dispatcher Training Forum: This class is already at 33% capacity. Give your dispatchers, schedulers, shippers and managers practical, technical, customer-centered, ready-mixed concrete-specific skills to help them succeed in their pressure-packed environment. Click here for more information.

January 17-19, Kissimmee (metro Orlando), FL - Effective RMC Supervisor Course: This class is already at 50% capacity. The goal of the workshop is to prepare operations managers and front line supervisors for the day-to-day management of people at a ready mixed concrete plant. Hands-on exercises, stress communication and team-building skills, dealing with people’s behavior, influencing and evaluating performance, regulatory labor compliance and, finally, interviewing future employees. Click here for more information.

January 24-27, Kansas City, MO - Plant Manager Certification Course: This class is already at 50% capacity. This course is the only one that exists specifically for concrete plant managers and operators. Topics include safety compliance, operations systems and processes, technical knowledge/batching math, environmental best practices, pavement 101 and business concepts from the plant level. The US Army Corps of Engineers requires this class certification for its contracts. Click here for more information.

Engineering

Transportation Research Board Webinar Focuses on Roller Compacted Concrete

The Transportation Research Board has scheduled a Webinar on Wednesday, November 30, from 2 - 3:30 p.m. Eastern time that will highlight current research and advances related to roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCC) mixture and thickness design as well as pavement surface performance. The Webinar will cover surface performance of natural and diamond grinding, results of accelerated load testing of RCC pavements and effect of RCC mixture composition on physical and mechanical properties. This 90-minute Webinar will be conducted by three presenters for 60 minutes followed by 30 minutes for audience questions. Professional development hours are provided.

Click here for more information.

Calendar

A Look Ahead

*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

November 29, Webinar

Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst (CPA) Software