Concrete Products

JUN 2017

Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.

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6 • June 2017 www.concreteproducts.com GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AGENCIES U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt outlined the key changes he envisions for an agency transitioning from the Obama to Trump Administration in a mid- May address to Portland Cement Association Board: 1) restoring respect for the rule of law, 2) ending regulation through liti- gation, and, 3) establishing cooperative federalism which will restore consistency in permitting and give companies more certainty for their business. "If we do these three things, we will have better outcomes, less litigation and ultimately a better environment," Pruitt told the PCA directors, assembled in Washington, D.C. for its spring meeting. "We were honored to hear the Administrator shares our view that regulations are best driven by the law as Congress intended, as well as input from all relevant stakeholders, includ- ing the agency, public and private industry," says PCA CEO James Toscas. "We are pleased Mr. Pruitt is at the helm of EPA to restore balance to regulations that protect people and the environment while enabling economic growth." Administrator Pruitt addressed cement industry lead- ers weeks after affirming "Back to Basics," a commitment a) returning the agency to its core mission of "protecting the envi- ronment by engaging with state, local, and tribal partners to create sensible regulations that enhance economic growth;" b) launching the Regulatory Reform Task Force to undergo exten- sive reviews of misaligned regulatory actions; and, c) reviewing, rescinding or revising burdensome Obama administration rules, especially the Clean Power Plan and "Waters of the U.S." FLY ASH MANAGEMENT In the week prior to the PCA board meeting, EPA moved to develop programs that allow flexibility in individual permits to manage the safe disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR). Agency officials envision implementation guidance fostering safe CCR disposal and continued beneficial use of higher grade fly ash, while enabling states to decide what works best for their environment. "EPA continues to support the environmentally sound recycling of coal ash," affirmed Administrator Pruitt. "Through the authority granted by Congress in the [Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation] WIIN Act, EPA is issuing this guidance to promote the swift submission and review of state permit programs, make state and federal management of coal ash more consistent, and place enforcement in the hands of state regulators—those who best know the needs of local communities." WIIN authorizes state permit programs to manage CCR. Con- gress authorizes states to operate permit programs, as long as the EPA determines that requirements are at least as protective as the federal standards. Legislation was necessary to better facilitate implementation of EPA's 2014 CCR Final Rule, which did not grant the agency or states the authority to directly regulate and permit safe coal ash disposal, making citizen law- suits the primary enforcement mechanism for disposal of coal ash under the rule. In December 2016, Congress passed the WIIN Act, which included language giving state agencies the authority to implement and enforce coal ash under the 2014 CCR Final Rule through EPA-approved state permit programs. EPA chief assures PCA directors of "better outcomes, less litigation" Scott Pruitt PHOTO: Erik Rancatore, PCA NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH TIPS The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is partnering with the National Safety Council to help workers, families and communities stay safe during June, National Safety Month. "The message of safety is one we should never get complacent about. We need to wake up every day, 365 days a year, with a commitment to being safety conscious," says AEM Safety Materials Manager James Vos. "In the routine of day-to-day and deadlines, events such as National Safety Month are a reminder and opportunity to elevate and emphasize the safety message." AEM outlines five basic tips to help workers focus on safety: take advantage of safety training; be alert and know the work area and equipment; follow the rules of safe equipment preparation and start-up, operation and mainte- nance; set an example by encouraging fellow workers to act safely; and, put safety in personal terms by consid- ering what is important to you that makes you want to stay safe. A free download of the Equipment Safe- ty Infographic poster is available at www. aem.org.

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