Aggregates Manager

December 2016

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by Therese Dunphy | Editor-in-Chief tdunphy@randallreilly.com 6 AGGREGATES MANAGER / December 2016 To keep up to date with news from the United States and Canada, visit www.AggMan.com for daily updates. STATE & PROVINCE NEWS CALIFORNIA CalPortland recently celebrated its 125-year anniversary. Established in Colton, Calif., in 1891, the company says it continues to honor its values of integrity, un- surpassed quality, safety, and technical superiority. "Today, CalPortland is building on its past for a bright and better future," CalPortland President and CEO Allen Hamblen said in a press release. "Through key strategic mergers and acquisitions, we have brought together more technology and the best people and now proudly serve six western states and two Canadian provinces." ILLINOIS Students at Freeport High School recently got a little hands-on experience with construction materials. According to the Journal Standard, ConMat and FNH Ready Mix teamed with chemistry teacher Uli Dornhagen for a multi- step look at the industry. Students toured six stations at ConMat quarry where they learned about geology, witnessed a blast, and participated in a fossil hunt. At the operation's testing labs, they were able to test the strength of concrete cylinders they had previously made in class. At the high school, an FNH cement truck was on site so students could learn about measuring air in concrete and performing slump testing. Finally, the students went into the lab to make concrete ovals to take home. MAINE On Election Day, Maine voters approved a $100 mil- lion bond issue for transportation projects, fosters.com reports. The funds are split between $80 million for the construction and maintenance of highways and bridges and $20 million for facilities and equipment related to "ports, harbors, marine transportation, aviation, freight and passenger railroads, and bicycle and pedestrian trails." The issue also qualified the state for $137 million in federal government match- ing funds for state transportation projects. MAINE CALIFORNIA ILLINOIS A proposal to tighten the city of Augusta's blast- ing standards to 15 percent of its current stan- dard could put local operators out of business. According to The Portland Press, officials from both McGee Construction and Quirion Construc- tion said the proposed standards would force them to close down quarries in Augusta. "The problem with the ordinance, at 15 percent, which is 50 percent of what the state allows, is it would effectively shut the quarries down," Steve McGee, owner of McGee Construction, told the newspa- per. "Fifteen percent wouldn't allow us enough to be economically feasible at all." The proposed ordinance change is sponsored by "multiple councilors" and was drafted in response to ongo- ing complaints from residents of a neighborhood located near McGee's quarry. A recent blast was singled out by city officials, but the city devel- opment director noted that blast data indicated it was only 20 to 25 percent of the maximum allowable. Cemex's Victorville Cement Plant celebrated the 100th anniversary of its High Desert plant, which opened on Labor Day 1916. Accord- ing to the Daily Press, it was recognized by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors as "a cornerstone" of the local econo- my and a community partner. "Cemex has been a tremendous com- pany in our community. For a century, generations of High Desert residents have worked at the cement plant, earning good wages to provide for their families," said Robert Lovingood, 1st District su- pervisor, in the news report. In August, the plant achieved the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star certification for the fifth time. In November, the plant received Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Conservation Certification for its ongoing sustainability, envi- ronmental-protection, and land-stewardship efforts. Prior to the November elections, the Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers (IAAP) urged its members to support the Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox legislation. In its November Update news- letter, it noted, "At the ballot box… we have a chance to protect transportation funding once and for all." The constitutional amend- ment requires that all transportation-related revenue be dedicated solely to transportation purposes. The amendment passed, with nearly 79 percent of voters approving it. MINNESOTA Winona County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a ban on frac sand mining, the Post Bulletin reports. The vote instructs the coun- ty attorney and planning staff to draft the final ordinance language to be adopted, along with an order containing findings, conclusions, and "or- der which supports and memorializes the board's decision." The two board members offered sever- al motions, including one to review the ban and evidence at its next meeting and one to limit the number and size of frac sand mines. All votes other than the ban were defeated by 3-2 votes.

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