July 23, 2015 – Concrete Products

EPA, DOT outline elevated fuel efficiency standards for trucks

July 23, 2015 Concrete News

Environmental Protection Agency– and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-proposed performance standards covering 2021–2027 model year heavy- and medium-duty trucks would achieve up to a 24 percent reduction of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions when measured against a 2018 vehicle. The agencies address concrete mixers and dump trucks within a larger Vocational Vehicles category of heavy- and medium-duty models, representing what officials estimate is about 20 percent of fuel consumption in the transportation universe their proposal covers.

Feds set deadline for electronic stability control systems on Class 7-8 trucks

July 23, 2015 Concrete News

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rule requires electronic stability control (ESC) systems on trucks exceeding 26,000 lb. in gross weight, and is to be implemented in three phases beginning August 2017. Agency officials estimate it will prevent nearly 50 fatalities and more than 1,700 crashes and 600 injuries annually. They also credit ESC systems’ potential to curtail more than half of untripped, rollover crashes—those caused by striking an obstacle or leaving the road.

¡Adios! author says hello to Pennsylvania producers

July 23, 2015 Concrete News

Author and provocateur Ann Coulter offered insight on U.S. immigration policy and the political climate as Pennsylvania Aggregates & Concrete Association members assembled last month for their 2015 Summer Summit at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, Pa. On immigration matters, platforms and policy, she called 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney “the best Republican since President Dwight Eisenhower;” expressed concern over 2016 GOP presidential contenders, save (yet declared) Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker; and, hopes Republicans realize that the unpopularity of massive immigration is on par with gun control measures, especially among “fly over” country voters.

A favorable mid-year outlook

July 23, 2015 Don Marsh

As we compiled our annual Buyers’ Guide Issue, complete with new listings and references in admixture, fleet, plant equipment and other categories, one market indicator after another painted construction activity favoring investment in concrete production and delivery. Industry economists and market observers view the first half of 2015 positively, and confirm a moderate to upbeat outlook for at least the next three years.