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Shuster named chairman of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) will take over as chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in January, replacing Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), who led Republicans on the committee for the last six years. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Shuster (pictured) told reporters in his first meeting since the announcement that he would consider increasing the 18.4-cents-per-gallon gasoline tax as part of a package of measures being explored to avoid $600 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect in January. "You've got to look at all your options out there," Shuster told reporters two hours after he secured the chairmanship. "Is it something difficult? Sure, but I think it's one of those things we need to look at." Shuster also said he'll be looking out for Pennsylvania's transportation needs, particularly rehabilitating bridges, locks and dams. "I've got to be the chairman for 50 states but I'm going to make sure I'm paying close attention to my constituents and my state, but at the same… Keep Reading
Power plant pullback triggers October construction starts retreat
The value of new construction starts retreated 14 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $434.9 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. Much of the decline was due to a sharp pullback by the electric power and gas plant category after a robust September. If this category had been excluded from the month-to-month comparisons, total construction starts in October would have registered a 3 percent gain. Greater activity was, however, reported in October for the public works sector, while both nonresidential building and housing settled back. Through the first 10 months of 2012, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis came in at $390.4 billion, a 4 percent gain relative to the same period from one year ago. Keep Reading
USGS says aggregates production increases in third quarter
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released figures showing that an estimated 583 million metric tons (mmt) of total aggregates were produced in the U.S. in the third quarter this year. The figure represents an increase of 6.8 percent compared to this year's second quarter. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2012 was 1.482 million metric tons – a 1.2 percent increase compared to the same period of 2011. The agency estimates 333 mmt of crushed stone was produced and sold during the third quarter this year. That's a 5 percent increase compared to the second quarter. USGS also estimates U.S. output of construction sand and gravel in the third quarter was 250 mmt – an increase of 9 percent compared to the second quarter. Keep Reading
Facility expected to expand Major Wire’s presence in South
Canadian-based Major Wire Industries Ltd. recently welcomed producers and dealers from the Southern United States to an open house at its newest facility in Salisbury, N.C. The 55,000-sq.-ft. weaving and finishing facility matches Major Wire’s ISO 9001:2008 registered process and quality standards, allowing the company to deliver all of its OptimumWire woven wire products. The open house began with an interactive screen maintenance seminar to help producers identify common screening problems that reduce production rates. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the facility. “I’d seen Major Wire’s ads in a few of the industry publications, but never wanted to deal with the freight costs to get my screen media from Canada,” says Michael Frings, a North Carolina concrete producer. “When I heard there was a new Major Wire facility in my own backyard, I had to come see it for myself." Keep Reading
Download the Pit & Quarry app for iPad
Pit & Quarry readers can now access the magazine on the iPad after downloading our free app from the App Store. In addition to displaying the current issue of Pit & Quarry, iPad users can access archived issues of the magazine, as well as the latest aggregates industry news. Search for "Pit & Quarry HD" at the App Store to download the app, or click here to download directly. Keep Reading
Nominate a leader today for the 2013 Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame
Pit & Quarry established an industry Hall of Fame in September to pay tribute to the pioneers of the past and present-day industry leaders. Now, nominations are being accepted for the inaugural class online here. Aggregates producers, manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, associations and allied trade representatives are all eligible for induction to the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. A neutral board comprised of various industry segments will review all nominations and determine which individuals earn induction to the Hall of Fame. The inaugural class of the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame will be inducted in March 2013 at the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo in San Antonio, Texas, where Pit & Quarry will host a black-tie dinner with video presentations and an award ceremony honoring the inductees. Keep Reading
Three metal/nonmetal mines cited in September impact inspections
MSHA issued 150 citations and 10 orders during special impact inspections conducted at three metal/nonmetal mines and 13 coal mines during the month of September. The three metal/nonmetal mines MSHA inspected were Pioneer Natural Resources USA Inc.'s Glass Rock Operation in Ohio; Heidelberg Cement's Waco Plant in Texas; and Molycorp Inc.'s Mt. Pass Mine & Mill in California. Thirty-six of the 150 citations issues across categories were to these three mines. One of the 10 orders issued for the month was to Pioneer Natural Resources. The monthly inspections, which began in April 2010 following the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, involve mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns, including high numbers of violations or closure orders. "As part of our overall strategy to improve compliance in the nation's mines, and because of the egregious nature of some of the coal dust-related violations our inspectors have encountered during past impact inspections, I've instructed our enforcement personnel to give… Keep Reading
Volvo Group donates $100,000 to hurricane relief
The Volvo Group is contributing $100,000 to support Hurricane Sandy disaster relief efforts by the American Red Cross, the city of New York and the city of Allentown, Pa. Specifically, the Volvo Group is donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross, $25,000 to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and $25,000 to the city of Allentown. The New York City donation will help meet immediate needs for food, water and supplies and support long-term relief and restoration projects. Allentown will use the donation to replace the severely damaged roof of the Mack South Fire Station. Keep Reading
Industry promotion discussed at Ohio trade show
The Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association (OAIMA) hosted its annual meeting and trade show Nov. 15-16 in Columbus, Ohio. About 500 manufacturers, dealers and producers attended the event, which featured more than 50 exhibitors. A few educational sessions were available to attendees, including one featuring a panel of schoolteachers who discussed a program that introduced them and their students to the aggregates industry. The program, Project Stone, is hosted by Wright State University in partnership with OAIMA, which encourages producers to contact their local school district to get teachers involved. Project Stone is funded through a state grant and OAIMA. There is no charge to the teachers participating in this project, and all teachers receive a stipend. Part one of the 2012 project included a two-week summer inquiry-based field trip and laboratory experience. The field trips served as an opportunity for teachers to collect samples for their classroom, take photographs and use collected materials to develop their own inquiry-based classroom activities. "Our industry is [poor] on public relations," says… Keep Reading
