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This Months Cover Story

August 2009

NUCA Testifies on Hill about Water Trust Fund, Clean Water Reauthorization

Upcoming NUCA Events You Can’t Afford To Miss

American Shoring Inc. — NUCA’S 100th New Member in 2009!

UCAC Awards College Scholarships

New Members


NUCA Testifies on Hill about Water Trust Fund, Clean Water Reauthorization

On July 15, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced bipartisan legislation to establish a Water Trust Fund for investing in America’s broken drinking water and sewage treatment systems. The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 3202) establishes a $10 billion annual fund for repairing the country’s corroded pipes and overburdened sewer systems, which pose serious health, environmental and security consequences.

Among the stakeholders present at the press conference was NUCA CEO Bill Hillman, who had this to say: “A new economic study by the Clean Water Council demonstrates that water and wastewater projects generate tens of thousands of living-wage jobs, substantially increase demand for goods and services and expand local tax bases. A long-term, self-sustaining and dedicated wastewater infrastructure trust fund would go a long way toward reducing the structural investment gap that is creating an environmental crisis.”

Following the press conference, Hillman testified before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment at a hearing titled “Opportunities and Challenges in the Creation of a Clean Water Trust Fund.” He spoke on the underground utility construction industry’s views on the concept of a clean water trust fund, as well as the potential funding sources evaluated in a recent report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). He also summarized the findings of the Clean Water Council’s economic impact study, Sudden Impact: An Assessment of Short-Term Economic Impacts of Water and Wastewater Construction Projects in the United States.

On July 22, NUCA President Lyle Schellenberg testified before the House Committee on Small Business at a hearing titled “Meeting the Needs of Small Businesses and Family Farmers in Regulating our Nation’s Waters.” The stated goal of the hearing was to “hear testimony from small businesses on ways to ensure that the federal regulation of waterways meets the needs of our environment and economy.” The main thrust of Schellenberg’s comments was that the proposed Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA) (S. 787) is not likely to meet either of those needs.

He said (in part): “As currently written, the CWRA (S. 787) would remove the term ‘navigable’ from the Clean Water Act and allow the Army Corps or Engineers (Corps) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate all ‘waters of the United States.’ NUCA’s fundamental concern with this legislation is that instead of providing greater clarity, it will lead to: bigger government, increased permitting requirements for wet areas with little or no impact on the nation’s waters, higher compliance costs and inevitably, significant increases in litigation. At the same time, desperately needed water and wastewater infrastructure projects could be delayed by increased permitting requirements, even if they had no link to rivers, streams or other ‘navigable water bodies.’”

Citing the findings of the Clean Water Council’s Sudden Impact study, Schellenberg also noted that such delays would hamper the realization of the economic benefits associated with utility construction and site improvement projects — namely, job creation, increased demand for goods and services, rise in personal income and the generation of state and local tax revenue. “Recognizing the potential for recovery in the environmental infrastructure industry,” he said, “Congress should be looking to expand market opportunities, not stifle them.”


Upcoming NUCA Events You Can’t Afford To Miss

NUCA 2009 FALL BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
September 23-25, 2009
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

An annual gathering of NUCA leaders and members for the purpose of conducting association business, NUCA’s Fall Board and Committee Meetings is typically a great opportunity to combine business and pleasure. This year’s location offers a wealth of attractions to explore once the day’s meetings have adjourned, and if sightseeing isn’t your thing, you can hit the golf course, slopes or casino. The Fairmont Waterfront is situated on a spectacular harbor and surrounded by coastal mountains and lush city parks. (Note: Travelers to and from Canada are required to have a passport or other accepted document to enter/re-enter the United States.)

NUCA 2009 SAFETY DIRECTORS FORUM
December 2-3, 2009
New York-New York Hotel
Las Vegas

Since 1994, the National Utility Contractors Association’s Safety Directors Forum (SDF) has been bringing together utility construction safety and risk management professionals from around the country to learn from expert presenters and each other about how to create and maintain accident-free workplaces and jobsites. This year’s program will include safety presentations on everything from Bridging the Spanish Language and Culture Gap to Dealing with Hazardous Materials. As always, the program will conclude with an Open Forum, where attendees will have an opportunity to discuss their own company challenges and share successful safety solutions.

UTILITY CONSTRUCTION EXPO 2010 — ALL TOGETHER NOW
January 10-13, 2010
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel
Orlando, Florida

Mindful of the current economic realities, NUCA will be presenting a hybrid format that combines an “Executive Experience” and a traditional trade show. In keeping with the “All Together Now” theme, there will be general sessions with motivational/instructional presentations designed to meet the needs and interests of all participants and three themed parties (Havana Nights, Cheeseburgers in Paradise and The Disney Experience) that will provide opportunities for both networking and fun. The trade show will offer participants an exciting, close-up look at the latest equipment, products and services designed for the industry. Whether you’re a contractor, equipment manufacturer or an interested industry observer, you’ll find something at EXPO ’10 to make your investment more than worthwhile.

[Note: Exhibit space for Utility Construction EXPO ’10 is filling up, so interested exhibitors should contact Cheryl Stratos of IAS at (703) 548-3733 or (703) 212-7745. Anyone who would like to show support for the industry by becoming an EXPO ’10 event or general sponsor should contact Linda Holtz at (703) 358-9300.]

American Shoring Inc. — NUCA’S 100th New Member in 2009!

NUCA is very pleased to welcome American Shoring Inc. as the 100th company to join the association in 2009. Based in Newburgh, New York, the company manufactures, sells and rents a complete line of trench shoring equipment — everything from ultra light aluminum shoring to giant trench boxes and slide rail sheeting replacement systems. It also provides comprehensive support to clients that need it, including: office consultation; project specifications review; field conditions evaluation; and installation. American Shoring also has a fleet of tractor trailers that assure on-time deliveries and pickups. The man in charge of all these operations is company President “Big John” Maragliano, a man with over 35 years of trench shoring design and construction experience that he has shared in seminars throughout the U.S. and Canada.

It is also worth mentioning, as the American Shoring Web site does, that our 100th new member scored a big sewer treatment plant job a couple years back as a result of exhibiting at NUCA’s Utility Construction EXPO! Since their 100th new member status means they’ll be receiving complimentary regular/spouse registrations to EXPO ‘10 in Orlando, they have a shot at repeat performance. 


UCAC Awards College Scholarships

The Utility Contractors Association of Connecticut has awarded four scholarships to graduating high school seniors who will start their college careers this fall. The scholarships were presented at an awards dinner held at the Hawthorne Inn in Berlin July 8, 2009. The 2009 UCAC Scholarship recipients (daughters and sons of UCAC members) for 2009 are: Timothy Dobosz, Plantsville, Conn. (Worcester Polytechnic Institute); Amy Pimer, West Haven, Conn. (Wagner College); Jenna Dufford, South Glastonbury, Conn. (Uinversity of VT); and John Traub, New Hartford, Conn. (Roger Williams University). Traub was the recipient of the Linwood S. Mather Jr. Memorial Scholarship, which was established in memory of a founding member of UCAC and his long-time dedication to NUCA, UCAC and CCIA (Connecticut Construction Industries Association).

New Members

Contractors

Carrigan Excavating LLC
Mark Carrigan
30687 County Rd. 19
Lamar, CO 81052
Work: (719) 336-3313
Fax: (719) 336-3312
Email: carriganexc@cminet.net
Web: www.carriganinc.com

KRG Utility
Juanita Greene
P.O. Box 2000
555 Harper Ave., Ste. B
Lenoir, NC 28645
Work: (828) 757-0006
Fax: (828) 754-3321
Email: marty@krgutility.com
Web: www.krgutility.com

The Corbett Group LLC
Michael Corbett
141 Bucknell Ct., Ste. 110
Atlanta, GA 30336-2402
Work: (404) 349-3117
Fax: (404) 349-3137
Email: maahc@bellsouth.net

The Johnston Trust
Weldon Johnston
3448 Crystal Springs Rd.
Zephyrhills, FL 33540
Work: (813) 788-0000
Fax: (813) 783-1684
Email: wpjohnston2002@yahoo.com

Associates

A-D Technologies
Dave Pampush
11400 Parkside Dr., Ste. 300
Knoxville, TN 37934
Work: (440) 322-1000
Fax: (440) 322-1001
Email: dave.pampush@adtechnologies.com
Web: www.adtechnologies.com

Apex Risk Solutions
Zach Stock
609 E Speer Blvd., Ste. 200
Denver, CO 80203
Work: (303) 536-5522
Fax: (866) 274-1687
Email: zstock@apexrisk.com
Web: www.apexrisk.com

David McKinney
David McKinney
11730 Meadowood Ln.
Parker, CO 80138
Work: (303) 884-1966
Email: mckinneydavid0@gmail.com

Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
Bobby Ferguson
14385 Wyoming St.
Detroit, MI 48238
Work: (313) 491-4040
Fax: (313) 491-4206
Email: bwferguson@ferguson-enterprises.com
Web: www.ferguson.com

Gulf Coast Mats
Myna Mungle
P.O. Box 478
Channelview, TX 77530
Work: (281) 459-4120
Fax: (281) 459-3735
Email: myna@gulfcoastmats.com
Web: www.gulfcoastmats.com

Indeco North America
Ryan Murphy
135 Research Dr.
Milford, CT 06460
Work: (203) 713-1030
Fax: (203) 713-1040
Email: rmurphy@indeco-breakers.com
Web: www.indeco-breakers.com

KNA Construction Services
Kevin Chilson
21 West Main St., 4th Floor
Waterbury, CT 06702
Work: (203) 841-2960
Fax: (866) 795-9059
Email: info@knausa.net
Web: www.knausa.net

Moretrench American Corp.
Cam Klockner
100 Stickle Ave.
P.O. Box 316
Rockaway, NJ 07866-3146
Work: (973) 627-2100
Fax: (973) 627-3950
Email: cklockner@mtac.com
Web: www.moretrench.com

SBH Trench Shoring Company LP
Bill Edgerly
51 N. Main St., Unit 1C
Southington, CT 06489
Work: (860) 426-0898
Fax: (860) 276-0576
Email: bill@sbhnecoxmail.com
Web: www.sbhtrenchshoring.com

Trench Shore Rentals
Harold Smith
10672B Calabash Ave.
Fontana, CA 92335
Work: (909) 854-6723
Fax: (909) 854-6253
Web: www.tsr.com

Vermeer Pacific
Jason DeWitt
2714 Vineyard Place
Fowler, CA 93625
Work: (559) 834-5096
Fax: (559) 834-5067
Email: jason.dewitt@vermeerdlr.com
Web: www.vermeerpacific.com