Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Six federal agencies have named designees for a new Water Subcabinet established through President Trump’s mid-October “Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure” Executive Order. They are tasked with protecting taxpayer investments by promoting integrated planning and coordination for drinking water, wastewater, water reuse, water storage and delivery, plus water resource management; supporting workforce development…
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HeidelbergCement earns Sustainably Managed Companies ranking
Sources: CP staff; Wall Street Journal Lehigh Hanson Inc. parent company HeidelbergCement AG ranks 37 among 100 Sustainably Managed Companies that the Wall Street Journal recognizes in its October 14 edition. The concrete, aggregate and cement giant scores 73.2 overall on a list where such scores range from 78.8 (#1, Sony) to 71.1 (#100, International Paper). HeidelbergCement ranks in upper and lower quartiles…
Read MoreCarolina Sunrock vet launches driver-incentivizing Rocket Start app
Sources: Rocket Start, Raleigh, N.C.; CP staff Manny Tejano, a fleet manager with North Carolina ready mixed and aggregate independent Carolina Sunrock, has developed a mobile device app through which mixer truck drivers can track their yard and field performance against peers, garner rewards for a job well done, and compete for top positions on a leaderboard.
Read MoreEnergy Department, Meritage Homes probe walls’ thermal mass
Sources: Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, Calif.; CP staff A $65 million Department of Energy (DOE) program will support technologies enabling energy-efficient homes or buildings to interact with one another and the electric grid, potentially lowering greenhouse gas emission levels and improving power infrastructure. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette announced the funding commitment during an Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)…
Read MoreICPI opens 2021 virtual education event registration
Sources: Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, Chantilly, Va.; CP staff To address an industry education void attributable to the cancellation of this month’s Hardscape North America gathering, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute has developed a 10-hour virtual event, with 42 interactive sessions around Business, Installation and Marketing & Sales learning tracks. The January 26-27 program will expand HNA’s educational opportunities beyond…
Read MoreContractors qualify pandemic-rooted disruptions, present and future
Sources: Associated Builders & Contractors, Washington, D.C.; CP staff Supply chain disruptions, prolonged municipal permitting processes, and delayed inspections due to office closures are among factors contributing to an increased rate of construction project postponement and/or cancellation, according to a new survey on Covid-19 impacts by Associated Builders and Contractors’ Construction Executive.
Read MorePennsylvania producers host EPA chief to further Smart Sectors action
Sources: Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association, Harrisburg; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association Chairman Rod Martin (Martin Stone Quarries) have signed a four-year, first-of-its-kind memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize a partnership pursuing environmental stewardship. It expands EPA and PACA activities to prioritize funding, coordinate on regulatory programs, recognize concrete…
Read MoreDigital ACI 318 guide launches with collaboration tools
Sources: Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, Schaumburg, Ill.; CP staff The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute has released a pdf version of Design Guide on the ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, formatted with a digital rights management encryption service that enhances user experience through a commenting and collaboration platform. The service echoes best practices from other organizations’ digital rights…
Read MorePCA programs portland-limestone cement promotion
Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff PCA’s just-launched microsite, www.greenercement.com, supports the use of portland-limestone cement (PLC), which performs in concrete at levels comparable to Type I portland cement, but exhibits a greenhouse gas emissions profile up to 10 percent below clinker-only powder. The site accesses a calculator where design and construction professionals can input building size or…
Read MoreTop Passive House bears on 16-in. insulated precast panels
Sources: Second + Delaware, Kansas City, Mo.; CP Staff The 276-unit Second + Delaware apartment complex set to open this month in Kansas City, Mo., is touted as the world’s largest Passive House structure. One of the key design elements to help the project garner the designation are custom 16-in. thick sandwich panel-style precast walls.
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