Water Well Journal

October 2016

Water Well Journal

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$&*#(')( $#- - The Groundwater NGWA Association SM Reserve your space today. Aordable. Convenient. Informative. NGWA webinars to help you improve your business. Industry NEWSLINE EPA and DOT Issue Air Emission Standards for Heavy Trucks I n an effort to reduce greenhouse gas releases, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation issued a final rule on August 16 related to air emission standards of medium and heavy trucks. The final rule provided for exemp- tions without request for trucks if they are primarily designed to perform off-road (such as in oil fields, mining, forests, or construction sites) and have fixed components designed to work inherently in an off-road environment (such as off-road drill equipment) or to operate at low speeds. The vehicle must also meet one of the following criteria: • Gross axle weight rating at or above 29,000 pounds • Speed attainable in 2 miles of not more than 33 mph • Speed attainable in 2 miles of not more than 45 mph, an unloaded vehi- cle weight that is not less than 95% of gross vehicle weight, and only able to carry the driver and operating crew • Maximum speed at or below 54 mph. Other truck standards will still apply. This rule exemption will allow drill rig trucks to continue in production and operation without meeting the higher air emission standards. Recent Construction Job Numbers Show Need to Attract Workers Construction employment increased in 39 states between June 2015 and June 2016—but half of the states lost con- struction jobs between May and June this year. This analysis of Labor Depart- ment data was released on July 22 by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the flatten- ing of monthly employment gains and losses indicates the urgency of beefing up programs to attract, train, and retain construction workers. "Construction demand is still grow- ing strongly in all regions and among many types of owners," said Ken Si- monson, chief economist for the associ- ation. "But contractors appear to be struggling to fill jobs in the short run." Hawaii added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year (15.9%, 6700 jobs), followed by Iowa (15.8%, 12,200 jobs), and Col- orado (8.9%, 13,200 jobs). California added the most construction jobs (32,300). Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between May and June this year, 25 states lost jobs, and employment was unchanged in Illinois and Vermont. Pennsylvania added the most jobs (3400) and Delaware added the highest percentage of construction jobs (3.4%) between May and June. Texas lost more construction jobs (-2800) in June than any other state, followed by California (-2100 jobs). Maine lost the highest percentage of NEWS continues on page 14 waterwelljournal.com 12 October 2016 WWJ

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