REP. OBERSTAR PRAISES NUCA/AED ECONOMIC STIMULUS ACT SURVEY REPORT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), issued the following statement in response to the report release today by the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) and National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA).  The report is entitled “Economic Stimulus Act Having Positive Effect, But Additional Stimulus Needed.”

“Investment in our nation’s infrastructure has been one of my top priorities for the 110th Congress.  The AED-NUCA study demonstrates why infrastructure investment is so important.  Not only does investing in sewers and other related water infrastructure protect the environmental and public health, it is also beneficial to our nation’s economic health by creating jobs, which prompts contractors to buy equipment and leads to additional economic activity.  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.”  Click here for the complete survey report and the joint NUCA/AED press release summarizing the findings.

NUCA PRESENTS AT 2008 ASCE INTERNATIONAL PIPELINES CONFERENCE

On July 25, NUCA held a panel discussion at the American Society of Civil Engineers' International Pipelines Conference 2008--Pipeline Asset Management: Maximizing Performance of Our Pipeline Infrastructure--at the Omni Hotel, CNN Center, in Atlanta, Georgia. "For several years now, NUCA has made it a priority to reach out to the engineering community in the hope of improving working relationships between engineers and utility contractors," said NUCA CEO Bill Hillman. "We considered this opportunity to have a frank discussion of the issues in a public forum a major milestone in that effort."

NUCA's presentation focused on the challenges engineers and utility contractors face when working together on pipeline projects. The panel, consisting of experienced contractors (NUCA members Mark Accetturo and Casey Dillon) and engineers (Dr. Jey K. Jeyapalan and Paul Oglesby PE) discussed not only frustrations, but also opportunities for partnership. Common problems faced by both utility contractors and engineers with respect to project owners and the labor market were also reviewed. Once all the issues were out in the open, the panel and the audience shared approaches and experiences they have helped create more effective relationships and results. Lastly, the group agreed on one or two areas of concern to be jointly addressed by NUCA and ASCE members during the next year. For more information, contact NUCA CEO Bill Hillman at (703) 358-9300. 

Utility Construction EXPO '09 "The Big Show" is taking over the newly expanded Phoenix Convention Center on March 4-6, 2009 with 200+ companies in some 200,000 square feet of exhibit space. Now is the time to get on the bandwagon. It's only July and nearly 40% of the exhibit space has been sold! To secure your spot at the 2009 Big Show, or for more information, exhibitors should contact Cheryl Stratos or Victoria Geis at (703)212-7745; you can also e-mail Cheryl at cstratos@ias-online.net. (Photo courtesy of City of Phoenix.)