Proposed EPA regulations threaten thousands of jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A proposed hazardous air pollutant regulation for the cement industry undermines the balance between environmental protection and economic viability, according to statements the Portland Cement Association (PCA) issued at a series of public hearings.

Last month the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced amendments to the national emission standard for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the portland cement manufacturing industry. It requires new emission standards for mercury, total hydrocarbons, hydrochloric acid, and particulate matter.

The regulations, as published, are based on a new approach to setting regulatory standards that result in excessively stringent and costly requirements. If adopted, the standards would undermine the stability of the domestic cement industry, endangering thousands of jobs, PCA said. Industry studies have shown the new guidelines could lead to forced closure of plants.

“Pushing cement production to other countries would ‘OPEC’ the industry and make the U.S. dependent on cement imports,” said Andy O’Hare, PCA vice president for regulatory affairs. “In addition, because these countries have fewer regulations, global emissions of mercury and carbon dioxide could actually increase.”

To meet expected demand, the U.S. will need to produce 30 percent more cement by 2020.

PSMA renamed Association of A/E Business Leaders
San Francisco — In late 2008, the organization dedicated to the business of managing architecture and engineering firms, formerly known as the Professional Services Management Association (PSMA), began operating under a new banner — the Association of A/E Business Leaders (AEBL).

As AEBL, the group remains focused on the same goal — to offer the entire A/E industry an affordable resource for comprehensive training and advice in every management discipline.

“PSMA was focused so heavily on the upper management of the company, at some point it stopped paying enough attention to the second and third tiers of A/E firms,” says Sprankle. “So the membership aged and retired, and there weren’t enough younger people to replace them. The big distinction between PSMA and AEBL is that we’re not just an executives’ organization.”

At CEO Roundtables, A/E firm executives share their experiences and questions on business management issues and other pressing matters in a casual, comfortable setting. These events continue to be popular, and AEBL has taken them national. The group has CEO Roundtables and other events scheduled in San Diego, Denver, Seattle, Chicago, and San Francisco in the coming months.

For more information or to contact AEBL, call Kathryn Sprankle at 415-713-5379, go to the website at www.aebl.org or e-mail Sprankle at kathrynsprankle@aebl.org.

ACI and TCA certify more than 1,250 Tilt-Up professionals
Mt. Vernon, Iowa — The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) in concert with the American Concrete Institute (ACI), announced that there are now more than 1,250 certified Tilt-Up Supervisors and Technicians.

The joint Certification program, developed through ACI’s C-650 Committee, is designed to recognize the growing construction method and maintain its professionalism. To further increase participation in the certification program, the exam is now offered in Spanish.

The next public offering of the Certification exam is Sept. 29 at the TCA Annual Convention in Amelia Island, Fla. For more information, visit www.tilt-up.org or call 319-895-6911.

Code Council to initiate green code development project
Washington D.C. — The International Code Council announced its intent to initiate a “Green Building Code Development Project” targeted at the commercial market. The objective of this new project is to develop a Green Building Code for traditional and high-performance buildings that is consistent and coordinated with the ICC family of Codes and Standards. The code will provide a new regulatory framework built with leading recognized rating systems in mind. The Code will provide criteria to drive green building into everyday practice.

This decision builds on a series of actions that began in the 1970s with the creation of the International Energy Conservation Code. More recent Code Council green initiatives include: signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Green Building Council; issuing the National Green Building Standard in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders; creating professional development, including training and certification, to address green systems and approaches; and creating a Sustainable Building Technology Committee, a Code Council Board initiative.

The code likely will address energy efficiency (including solar and other advanced technologies), water use efficiency, materials and resource use conservation, indoor environmental quality and overall building impact on the environment. It will be developed under the ICC’s consensus process.

The new Sustainable Building Technology Committee will play a key role. Persons interested in serving on this new committee should submit their information to www.iccsafe.org/sbtc Track the progress of the Green Code development online at www.iccsafe.org