Life cycle auditor Athena revises pavement software program

Sources: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, Ottawa; CP staff

The Athena Pavement LCA Web App has been updated to further simplify life cycle assessment (LCA) and make paving more environmentally sustainable and cost effective. Version 3.1 reflects plant process data based on the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association 2016 industry average LCA and Environmental Product Declaration for concrete, along with these companion improvements:

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PCA applauds life-cycle analysis provisions of new surface transportation legislation

Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.

After weeks of negotiations, a new surface transportation legislation, which was passed by Congress on June 29, was signed into law by President Barak Obama on July 6. PCA released a statement saying the organization was especially pleased with key provisions in the final bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), related to life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and pavement research, in addition to provisions to quickly bring the technologies to states.

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Flawed highway bill stabilizes flat funding levels through 2014

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington Office; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; CP staff

Although it represents no real gain in dollars made available via years of short-term extensions, HR 4348, which morphed into Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, or MAP-21, was signed into law by President Obama two days after the July 4 holiday.

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NRMCA mobilizes opposition to recorder device mandate covering mixers

Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.

NRMCA is urging member producers and other ready mixed industry stakeholders to relay to their federal representatives opposition to transportation funding bill language requiring electronic on-board recorders (EOBR) in all commercial vehicles as part of hours of service regulation compliance. The proposed language remains at a late stage of House and Senate negotiations for the federal transportation program, funding for which expires June 30.

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NRMCA urges Congress pass Transportation Bill by June 30

Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.

The ready mixed industry came to Capitol Hill recently calling for Congress to quickly act on passage of a new surface transportation bill by June 30. NRMCA has again joined with other transportation stakeholders and members of the Senate to urge Congress to gain consensus on transportation issues, pass a new bill, and put thousands of Americans back to work by month’s end.

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