Editors’ Blog
Long-term, short-term highway funding feud
The Senate approved a long-term highway-funding bill. The House of Representatives approved a short-term highway-funding bill. And at the end of July, the House cornered the Senate into approving a three-month extension, leaving the long-term funding issue unresolved. The lack… Keep Reading
Incidents put industry in negative light
A few recent incidents have cast a negative light on the aggregates and mining industries. When such events reach the public eye, the effects could be, among other things, stepped enforcement by the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) and… Keep Reading
Effects of the western drought
The severe drought conditions in the West are creating energy concerns in some areas. NBC News reports that as rivers shrink, sources of water-generated electricity are beginning to dry up. The report cites the shutdown of a hydroelectric generation turbine… Keep Reading
Stay on the cutting edge
When it comes to equipment to run an aggregates operation, Pit & Quarry helps producers stay on the cutting edge. For 99 years, we have been the industry’s source for information about equipment innovations, and that is especially true this… Keep Reading
Chaos reigns on Capitol Hill
Talk is cheap. And boy do members of the House and Senate like to talk. Especially when it comes to passage of a multi-year highway bill, which aggregate producers and their advocates continuously say would provide them with additional business… Keep Reading
Increase in diversity at Vulcan Materials
Construction and aggregates-related jobs traditionally appeal to men, but Vulcan Materials Co. has seen an uptick in the number of women in its workforce. Darren Hicks, Vulcan’s vice president of human resources, told the Birmingham Business Journal that the company… Keep Reading
A better-trained workforce
A number of aggregate producers, manufacturers and allied trade representatives say a shortage of heavy equipment operators is plighting the aggregates and mining industries. Despite the shortage, more students have been graduating from mining schools with mining or engineering degrees, according to… Keep Reading
Senate bill would boost business with tax break on equipment, property
Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., introduced legislation to amend the U.S. tax code and make permanent a 50 percent depreciation bonus on new equipment and property purchases. The tax break previously expired. According to a press release, the bill would allow… Keep Reading
Cat trucks take on new life as moving driving range targets
The sixth installment of Caterpillar's “Built for It” trials relates perfectly to the recent U.S. Open. Cat trucks take on new life as moving targets in a driving range. The greens, which were built in three days, were installed in… Keep Reading
