UCANF Holds “Contractors Building a Better America” Event
NUCA Co-Hosts 17th Annual “Taste America” Event for Congress
NUCA Safety VP Testifies at OSHA Hearing on Confined Space Entry in Construction
NUCA of Indiana Holds Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Event
Rep. Oberstar Praises NUCA/AED Economic Stimulus Act Survey Report
Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association Joins CWC
CGA’s DIRT Needs Excavation Damage Data
New Members
 |
| (L to R): Ryan Schmitt (NUCA Treasurer; UCANF Past President), Tony
Zebouni (UCANF Legislative Chair; Partner, Regan Zebouni & Walker), Mia
Jones (Candidate for Florida House, District 14), Kim Bryan (UCANF Past
President) and Bruce Kershner (Executive Vice President, Underground
Utility Contractors of Florida). |
|
UCANF Holds “Contractors Building a Better America” Event
Members of the Utility Contractors Association of North Florida (UCANF) were joined by members of the Associated Builders and Contractors First Coast Chapter, Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida and Northeast Florida Builders Association in hosting a candidates’ reception on July 15.
These four construction organizations usually interview candidates and announce endorsements on their own.
On this occasion, however, the goal was to efficiently meet as many candidates as possible and get to know them on a personal level.
“At the end of the day we all do construction,” said Kim Bryan, past president of UCANF. “The economy affects everybody from the Haskells to the little guy digging a ditch. This is a great opportunity to express our concerns as an industry.” Three of the critical issues were fuel prices, competitive bidding and a proposed Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment.
Some 32 candidates for office came to hear those concerns, including candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, State House, Circuit Judge, State Attorney, Public Defender, City Council, Duval County School Board and Soil and Water Conservation. The event was sponsored by Regan, Zebouni & Walker P.A. and The Daily Times and the venue provided by The Haskell Co. UCANF Legislative Chair Tony Zebouni was instrumental in securing the participation of the various associations and the candidates.
For more information on UCANF, visit the Web site at www.ucanf.com.
NUCA Co-Hosts 17th Annual “Taste America” Event for Congress
 |
| Rep. Norman Dicks (D-WA) (left), Chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior, Environment &
Related Agencies, catches up with NUCA’s Vice President of Government
Relations Eben Wyman and CEO Bill Hillman. |
|
Every year, NUCA co-hosts a party for lawmakers in the final days before Congress leaves Washington for the August Recess. Now in its 17th year, the “Taste America” event provides NUCA and a select group of private-sector organizations with a great opportunity to talk with scores of lawmakers in a social atmosphere.
Held on July 31, this year’s celebration, “Beautiful Minds,” showcased intellectual achievement in several fields such as art, motion pictures, political science, journalism, architecture, medicine, engineering, music and culinary arts. Joining NUCA in sponsoring the event were
AgriWashington, Coca-Cola, Eastman Kodak, Martinsburg-Berkeley County, W.Va., Convention and Visitors Bureau, McDonald’s and Militec. Taste America 2008 also included special guests from Wounded Warriors, American heroes from Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals.
NUCA Safety VP Testifies at OSHA Hearing on Confined Space Entry
in Construction
On July 23-24, OSHA held a hearing about the agency’s new proposed rule on Confined Space Entry in Construction. Speaking on behalf of NUCA, Vice President of Safety George Kennedy summarized member concerns about the proposed rulemaking as follows: “Although we do not oppose the idea of having a confined space standard that is applicable to construction, our members believe that OSHA’s new proposed rule will create considerable confusion and also place an unnecessary burden, with no improvements in safety, on all contractors who have been successfully utilizing the General Industry-Permit Required Standard (1926.146) for 15 years. Our members also have concerns about some of the definitions and requirements.”
At the end of his allowed 10 minutes, Kennedy said, “NUCA recommends that OSHA simply incorporate by reference the General Industry-Permit-Required Confined Space standard (29 CFR 1910.146) into the OSHA Construction Standards (29 CFR 1926).” For copies of Kennedy’s oral summary and NUCA’s written comments submitted to the docket, please call (703) 358-9300.
 |
| The most recent EPA report (2004) estimated Indiana’s wastewater infrastructure
needs at $5.9 billion. |
|
NUCA of Indiana Holds Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Event
On Aug. 8, NUCA of Indiana (NUCAI) hosted an event on Indianapolis’ Riverwalk to raise industry awareness of the need to fund the rebuilding and restoration of Indiana’s water and sewer infrastructure. The event attracted nearly 100 people, including engineers, municipal owners, private owners, city officials, organization leaders, utility contractors and subcontractors.
The outlook presented was bleak. Indiana Senator Beverly Gard (R-District 28), who chairs the State Senate’s Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs, said that studies estimate Indiana’s current water infrastructure needs at over $20 billion. Indiana communities currently have pending applications for SRF loans totaling over $1 billion at a time when only $200 million is available in state SRF coffers. Cyndi Wagner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) reviewed funding for projects that are intended to meet a federal mandate to separate combined sewer overflows.
Scott Grimes, Executive Director of NUCAI, remarked, “Her presentation showed that the state is working hard to properly monitor and staff these important projects in Indiana; however, the funding shortfall is going to make it more and more difficult for the state to continue to keep up with its goals and also fulfill other infrastructure obligations.” NUCA President Terry Dillon provided a ray of hope when he reported that non-partisan organizations are being organized in many other states facing the same shortfall and lack of public knowledge about the issue. About 50 people volunteered after the meeting to begin forming one in Indiana, which event organizers thought indicated a strong interest in helping to resolve the funding problems.
For more information on NUCA of Indiana, visit the Web site at www.nucaofindiana.com.
Rep. Oberstar Praises NUCA/AED Economic Stimulus Act Survey Report
The results of a national survey of utility contractors recently released by the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) strongly suggests that while the Economic Stimulus Act (ESA) of 2008 has helped motivate equipment purchasing around the country this year, Congress and the president could give the economy and construction industry an immediate shot by increasing water infrastructure investment.
The study also shows that extending the ESA’s capital investment incentives through 2009 would have a positive impact on equipment purchasing next year and demonstrates the direct impact that water infrastructure spending has on the equipment industry. The online survey was conducted from July 7 to 24, 2008. Seventy-eight utility contractors from all regions of the country participated, resulting in a margin of error less than 11 percent.
Immediately after the release, the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) (pictured), said (in part): “Investment in our nation’s infrastructure has been one of my top priorities for the 110th Congress. The NUCA/AED study demonstrates why infrastructure investment is so important ... I agree with the report’s conclusion that Congress needs to do more help get the economy back on track and investment in our nation’s water infrastructure should be high on that list. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will continue to promote improving and upgrading the nation’s water infrastructure.”
Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association Joins CWC
NUCA is pleased to report that the Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) has joined the Clean Water Council (CWC) — a coalition of now 34 national organizations representing underground construction contractors, design professionals, manufacturers and suppliers, labor representatives and others committed to ensuring a high quality of life through sound environmental infrastructure. Chaired by NUCA, the CWC takes a lead role in legislative efforts to increase funding for the EPA’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, which help finance projects to repair and rebuild America’s failing water and wastewater infrastructure.
Since its establishment in 1915, DIPRA has provided reliable engineering information about Cast Iron (and now Ductile Iron) pipe to a wide audience of utility and consulting engineers. DIPRA provides engineering programs and a variety of publications, as well as technical research on topics such as corrosion, corrosion protection and the design of Ductile Iron pipe. NUCA is happy to welcome DIPRA into the CWC family as the coalition moves into the final months of the 110th Congress.
 |
| Dennis McGrath, project manager
for Van Hauen & Associates Inc.
of Clive, Iowa, double-checks every
Iowa One Call utility location
marking by digging test pits with
a Vermeer E550 EVACUTOR. |
|
CGA’s DIRT Needs Excavation Damage Data
The Common Ground Alliance’s (CGA) Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) serves as a national repository for data on excavation damages for the purpose of identifying trends. The U.S. Congress, several federal agencies and scores of state regulators with jurisdiction over state one-call and damage prevention laws are now looking at data trends that are coming out of DIRT. Due to under-reporting by underground utility contractors, the 2006 DIRT Report stated that: 76 percent of events are caused by excavators not calling the one-call center or not digging carefully; less than 20 percent are caused by facility operators failing to mark utility locations accurately and in a timely fashion; and the vast majority of these incidents (80 percent) are caused by contract excavators, not by in-house utility personnel, homeowners or government workers.
If you don’t agree with those findings (and what utility contractor would!), there’s something you can do about it. Visit www.cga-dirt.com to register, so that you can begin to submit your damage data. If you are a NUCA member, the association will submit the data for you. Keep in mind, all submissions are anonymous; your company’s name will not appear on the form or be submitted into the DIRT system.
New Members
American Infrastructure Inc.
Frank A. Krekeler
2195 N. Hwy 83, Ste. 1
Franktown, CO 80116
Work: (720) 733-8887
Fax: (720) 733-8765
Email: tkrekeler@americaninf.com
Webiste: www.americaninf.com
Bulldog Equipment Co.
Mark Ireland
281 Commerce Park Ct.
North Las Vegas, NV 89032
Work: (702) 646-4070
Fax: (702) 646-3484
Email: mireland@bulldogequio.com
CKA & Associates Inc.
C.K. Arrington
813 W. Bryan St.
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Work: (407) 957-4354
Fax: (407) 957-7804
Crossmark Site Utilities Inc.
Allen Cassidy
19331 Shabbona Dr.
Tinley Park, IL 60487
Work: (815) 823-7966
Fax: (815) 534-5095
Email: crossmarksite@comcast.net
Glenn Rehbein Excavating
Bart Rehbein
8651 Naples St. N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55449-6724
Work: (763) 784-0657
Fax: (763) 784-6001
Gopher Excavating
Brent Slotto
2530-20th Ave. S.
Moorhead, MN 56560
Work: (218) 227-0350
Fax: (218) 227-0353
Lakeside Excavation Inc.
Tyler Smith
220 22nd Ave.
WestHavre, MT 59501
Work: (406) 265-9401
Fax: (406) 265-5693
Email: tyler@lakesideexcavation.com
Website: www.lakesideexcavation.com
Oscar Renda Contracting Inc.
Frank Renda
522 Benson Ln.
Roanoke, TX 76262
Work: (817) 400-2703
Fax: (817) 400-1627
Email: frenda@oscarrenda.com
Website: www.oscarrenda.com
Sitek Corp.
Joseph A. Fard
5462 Hoffner Ave., Ste. 508
Orlando, FL 32812
Work: (407) 898-9706
Fax: (407) 898-9732
Email: jfard@sitekusa.com
Website: www.sitekusa.com
Stetson Electric Inc.
Chris Kovello
270 Commerce Park Ct.
North Las Vegas, NV 89032
Work: (702) 387-5873
Fax: (702) 387-5877
Email: ckovello@stetsonelectricnv.com
Website: www.stetsonelectricnv.com
Trenchless Inc.
David McCallum
P.O. Box 777636
Henderson, NV 89077-7636
Work: (702) 932-3424
Fax: (702) 446-8395
Email: david@trenchlessinc.com
Website: www.trenchlessinc.com
ACME Barricades Inc.
Robin Gellhouse
3600 Silver Star Rd.
Orlando, FL 32808
Work: (407) 253-4337
Fax: (407) 253-1342
Email: rgellhouse@acmebarricades.com
Alturnamats Inc.
Brooke Smith
P.O. Box 344
Titusville, PA 16354-0344
Work: (814) 827-8884
Fax: (814) 827-2903
Email: basmith@alturnamats.com
Website: www.alturnamats.com
American Excelsior Co.
Cathy Byrom
850 Ave. H E.
Arlington, TX 76011
Work: (817) 385-3500
Fax: (817) 649-7816
Email: kstarrett@americanexcelsior.com
Website: www.americanexcelsior.com
Contech Construction Products
Doug Berg
29661 W. Amelia Ave.
Buckeye, AZ 85326
Work: (480) 766-6192
Fax: (623) 215-2624
Email: bergd@contech-cpi.com
Website: www.contech-cpi.com
CPS Security Solutions
Chris Coffey
436 W. Walnut St.
Gardena, CA 90248
Work: (310) 818-8128
Fax: (310) 878-8172
Email: jhernandez@cpssecurity.com
Website: www.cpssecurity.com
Eastern Locating Service
Richard Peragallo
1170 Lincoln Ave.
Holbrook, NY 11741
Work: (631) 567-7800
Fax: (631) 567-7820
Email: rperagallo@easternlocating.com
Website: www.easternlocating.com
Everson’s Econo-Vac Inc.
Gary Magruder
1105 140th Ave. Crt. E.
Sumner, WA 98390
Work: (253) 862-5851
Fax: (253) 862-5890
Email: gary@eversons-econovac.com
Website: www.eversons-econovac.com
LEAF Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Finance
Sam Wetmore
2476 Crosswick Rd.
Orange Park, FL 32203
Work: (904) 923-1159
Fax: (215) 553-8522
Email: swetmore@leaf-fi nancial.com
Website: www.leaf-fi nancial.com
Mac Tapping Inc.
Brian Macnamara
P.O. Box 568912
Orlando, FL 32856
Work: (407) 468-0557
Fax: (407) 895-1437
mactapping@aol.com
Mobile DUZ LLP
Debi Manning
624 Atchison Way, Ste. 1
Castle Road, CO 80109
Work: (303) 814-6899
Fax: (303) 663-6899
Email: deb.manning@mobileduz.com
Website: www.mobileduz.com
MSP Rents LLC
Marty Pegram
3314 Service St.
Charlotte, NC 28206
Work: (704) 344-8081
Fax: (704) 344-8084
Email: m.pegram@msprents.com
Website: www.msprents.com
Safety Products Inc.
Ted Schiellerd
3637 N. Graham St.
Charlotte, NC 28206
Work: (704) 339-0024
Fax: (704) 339-0705
Email: tschiellerd@spisafety.com
Website: www.spisafety.com
Street Pavers, Sewer, Watermain & Tunnel Workers, Local 440
Dale Bright
565 13th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122
Work: (425) 246-1745
Fax: (206) 329-0156
Email: streetpavers440@hotmail.com
Heavy Equipment Training Academy LLC
Charles Boston
633 Howard Rd. S.E.
Washington, DC 20020
Work: (202) 678-8880
Fax: (202) 678-8881
boston@hetadc.com
www.hetadc.com
Las Vegas Valley Water District
Shawn P. Millus
100 City Parkway, Ste. 700
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Work: (702) 258-3266
Fax: (702) 258-3811
Email: shawn.mollus@lvvwd.com
|
