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EPA head to resign this month
EPA Chief Lisa Jackson announced in December that she is planning to resign her post sometime after President Obama's State of the Union address this month. She cited a desire to pursue new challenges and spend more time with her family as reasons for her resignation. According to the Washington Post, Jackson pressed for limits on emissions from coal-fired power plants during her four-year tenure and on dumping mining waste into streams and rivers near mines. Obama has not picked Jackson's successor but the Washington Post says two leading candidates are the EPA's Bob Perciasepe and Gina McCarthy. Keep Reading
Fine amounts for two violations increasing
MSHA has raised penalty amounts for two specific violations, citing a need to keep up with the cost of living. One result is an 8.3 percent fine increase against operators who've allegedly committed unwarrantable failures – up to a maximum of $242,000, from $220,000. The other increase is against operators who fail to provide timely notification under section 103j. This specific fine has risen to a $65,000 maximum – up from $60,000. The changes will be effective Jan. 28. Keep Reading
Lehigh Hanson involved in EPA energy efficiency program
Eleven of Lehigh Hanson Inc.'s aggregate production facilities are participating in the EPA's Energy Star Challenge, which calls for an energy efficiency improvement of at least 10 percent for commercial and industrial buildings. EPA estimates that commercial buildings and industrial facilities contribute about 45 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, EPA estimates that if the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings improves 10 percent, the U.S. would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from about 30 million vehicles and save about $20 billion on annual utility bills. "The Energy Star Challenge is a win-win for our aggregate production facilities and positively contributes to Lehigh Hanson’s overall sustainability strategy,” says Tom Chizmadia, Lehigh Hanson's senior vice president of government affairs, public relations and sustainability. “EPA’s Energy Star program provides our operations management teams with additional tools and resources to help identify areas for improving energy efficiency by managing energy strategically.” Keep Reading
Nonresidential building plans rebound in December
The Dodge Momentum Index, the monthly measure of the initial report for nonresidential building projects in planning, rose 3.2 percent in December, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The December gain lifted the index to 94.9, up from November's revised 91.9. After showing a hesitant upward trend during the first seven months of 2012, the index settled back from August through October before stabilizing in November. The December rebound brings the index back toward the 95.4 it reached in July. The 95.4 mark was the highest reading reported throughout 2012. According to McGraw-Hill Construction, December's upturn may be the first sign that the uncertainty restraining construction plans is now easing. The November election having passed and the fiscal cliff being averted for the time being are two events that may have helped the upturn. Also, the increase in December was due to a pickup in commercial building. That segment jumped 9 percent relative to November. New plans for stores and office buildings were stronger in December, and several notable warehouse developments also… Keep Reading
MSHA training conference to cover accident prevention
Catamount Consulting will present the Spring Thaw Safety Training Conference, an MSHA training event, Feb. 12-13 at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, N.Y. Topics to be covered include dealing with regulatory groups, accident prevention, hazard awareness, first aid, mobile equipment and supervisory training. Industry trainers from around the U.S. will lead more than 30 different safety classes over the course of the conference. Additional certification workshops are new this year. First aid and CPR certification will be offered one day for an additional $50 per person. Defensive driving certification will be offered for an additional $35 per person. Keep Reading
Oil filter calculator to help fleets reduce maintenance costs
Luber-finer has launched an oil filter time-release technology value calculator at www.luberfiner.com/value-calculator. The website is a mobile site. The value calculator is designed to help fleet managers better understand current maintenance costs associated with oil changes. In addition, Luber-finer says the calculator can help fleet managers determine their potential fleet savings by effectively using time-release technology filtration products in its own product line. Keep Reading
Republican leadership finalized on T&I committee
The House of Representatives recently confirmed Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) as chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Shuster followed his appointment by naming 32 Republicans as members of the committee. Among the states with a Republican committee representative are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Florida and Pennsylvania (including Shuster) have the most committee reps with four. California has three. North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin have two each. “Working together, the committee will focus on reforming programs and strengthening America’s transportation networks to make us more efficient, competitive and prosperous," Shuster says. "I am excited to get to work with a diverse team of returning and new Members in the 113th Congress." Keep Reading
Cemex halts 10-year pursuit of California quarry
The Fresno Bee reports that Cemex signed off on a mining prohibition for Jesse Morrow Mountain outside of Fresno, Calif., ending the company's long push for a sand and gravel quarry in the area. According to the newspaper's report, Cemex officials said late last year that they would restrict mining on their 2,000-acre property. Cemex made the concession as part of a deal with Fresno County. In return for the mining prohibition, county leaders honored an unusual request: to rehear the company's failed environmental impact report for the originally proposed quarry. Company officials say an approved environmental report adds value to their property, which Cemex plans to sell. Keep Reading
Global construction equipment market to expand throughout decade
The global construction equipment market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6 percent each year through 2017, according to data the Association of Leaders in Equipment Distribution (AED) recently shared. The market currently sits at $143.6 billion but is expected to reach $192.3 billion in four years. AED sourced a report titled "Construction Equipment Market – Global and China Forecast, Market Share, Size, Growth and Industry Analysis, 2011 - 2017." The earth-moving equipment segment contributed about 43 percent to the total construction equipment market's revenue in 2012. China accounted for the majority of construction equipment consumption, with Europe at a distant second. According to AED, Asia is considered the most promising market for construction equipment worldwide due to relatively good performance of construction and mining in countries like India and China. China is the major contributor to the market and accounts for about 41 percent of the overall global sales of construction equipment. The construction equipment market in China in 2012 was about $59.2 billion. That figure is… Keep Reading
