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WE ARE
IN THE HOLE
2015WashingtonSummitGuide
How old are
your pipes?
Will BrownDirector of Government Affairs
Bill HillmanChief Executive Officer
3925 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 300 Fairfax VA 22030 · 703-358-9300 · Fax: 703-358-9307 · www.NUCA.com
A note from
the Chairman
May 20, 2015
NUCA’s Washington Summit is the annual
march on Capitol Hill by utility and excavation con-
tractors nationwide. Representing nearly 1,300 mem-
ber companies from across the country who provide
the workforce and materials that build and maintain
America’s water, sewer, gas, electric, and telecommu-
nications, we must come to Washington, D.C. to make
our voices heard and tell Congress to work harder for
the American people.
As a contractor and as NUCA’s Chairman, I be-
lieve there is no greater way to impact our industry than
influencing our lawmakers. Educating them on what we
do is only the beginning. We must convince them to act
on our behalf to build and maintain America’s under-
ground infrastructure. To do so, we must show them
the perils of what doing nothing will do to our country,
our way of life, and their political futures.
We must also show the incredible benefits of
infrastructure investment. There’s no question that
infrastructure is essential for Americans, businesses,
and the economy. Federal investment in infrastructure
creates good-paying construction jobs that will build
infrastructure that homes and businesses rely on for
health and prosperity. With millions still unemployed
and a shortage of skilled workers, putting more people
back in the workforce will strengthen businesses and
all levels of the economy. Stimulating the economy will
generate greater revenues for state and local govern-
ments which will empower them to take on greater in-
frastructure projects with less demand and competition
for federal dollars.
NUCA members come to Washington, D.C. to
say to Congress, “America is in a hole. Help us dig out!”
Leadership
Bruce WendorfForsberg Construction Inc.
Florida
Jeff RumerUnderground Infrastructure
Technologies
Colorado
Kara HabrockLG Roloff Construction
Nebraska
Mark FuglevandMarshbank Construction
Washington
Dan BuckleyFlippo Construction Co., Inc.
Maryland
Ronald T. NunesR.T. Nunes and Sons Inc.
Rhode Island
Bill HillmanNUCA
Virginia
Contractor
Fred ChesneyCenterline Utilities, Inc.
Florida
Zach FusilierNorth Texas Contracting Inc.
Texas
Dan HernandezPauley Construction Inc.
Arizona
Debra MallardPKF-Mark III
Florida
Mark ResingerSCI Infrastructure LLC
Pennsylvania
Kalani KamanuPural Water Specialty Co., Inc
Hawaii
Karen QuattrocchiEquality Construction Works
Rhode Island
Mark ScoccoloSCI Infrastructure, LLC
Washington
David WirthDallas One Corp.
Florida
Gary GagliatoMidwest Mole
Indiana
Ryan KinningPenro Construction Co., Inc.
Nebraska
Alex KocherWestern Summit Constructors
Texas
David LustigGarney Construction
Colorado
Tony RaposoWilliam Anthony Excavating
Rhode Island
Non Contractor
Yvonne BlandHD Supply Waterworks, LTD
Arizona
Jim WeistMichael Byrne Manufacturing Inc.
Ohio
Scott Knoblach Caterpillar
Illinois
at large
Fred BurlbawNational Trench Safety, LLC
Texas
Tom OlsonOlson Construction Law P.C.
Minnesota
Diamond Partners
Gold Partners
®
Silver Partners
Sustaining Partners
Bronze Partners
American Concrete Pavement Association
American ConcretePipe Association
American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Iron and Steel Institute
American Public Works Association
American Rental Association
American Road and Transportation Builders Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Subcontractors Association
American Supply Association
Associated Equipment Distributors
Associated General Contractors of America
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Construction Management Association of America
Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association
Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
International Union of Operating Engineers
Laborers-EmployersCooperation and Education Trust
Laborers’ International Union of North America
Mason Contractors Association of America
NAIOPNational Asphalt
Pavement Association
National Association of Sewer Service Companies
National Association of Women in Construction
National Precast Concrete Association
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
National Society of Professional Engineers
National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association
National Utility Locating Contractors Association
NUCA
Plastics Pipe Institute Portland Cement AssociationPlumbing-Heating-Cooling
Contractors - National AssociationSPI: The Plastics Industry
Trade Association
The Vinyl Institute Uni-Bell PVC Pipe AssociationWater and Sewer
Distributors of AmericaWater and Wastewater Equipment
Manufacturers Association
The h
ole
the hole we’re in?
Do you see
The
hole
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
Written Statement of Ronald T. Nunes on behalf of the National Utility Contractors Association before the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations addressing “Putting America Back to Work Through Water Infrastructure Investment” March 18, 2015 Chairman Calvert, Ranking Member McCollum, and Honorable Members of the Subcommittee, the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) appreciates the opportunity to testify regarding the job creation and economic benefits that come with investment in water infrastructure through the EPA’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. I am the President of R.T. Nunes & Sons, a small business specializing in site and utility construction established in 1983. We have constructed thousands of lineal feet of water and sewer infrastructure, as well as river and dam preservation and restoration projects. I am also the current Chairman of NUCA. NUCA is a family of nearly 1,300 companies from across the nation that build, repair and maintain underground water, wastewater, gas, electric and telecommunications infrastructure systems. NUCA also serves as chair of the Clean Water Council (CWC), a coalition of 34 national organizations representing underground construction contractors, design professionals, manufacturers and suppliers, labor representatives and others committed to ensuring a high quality of life through sound environmental infrastructure. These industries work collectively to improve critical underground systems that unquestionably enhance America’s quality of life and global business competitiveness. The Clean Water Council operates a blog, called Clean Water Weekly, which publishes weekly stories about America’s water infrastructure. Over the past month, Clean Water Weekly has highlighted an infrastructure story from each member of this subcommittee’s district. Full information about these water infrastructure failures can be found on cleanwaterweekly.com, but I’d like to highlight some of these stories. Utah -Roughly 1,300 miles of piping under Salt Lake City is some of the oldest in the entire state. As a result, there are about 350 water main breaks on average in Salt Lake City each year, according to city data. On February 16, a ruptured water main break under Main Street in Salt Lake City sent thousands of gallons of water rushing like a river down the thoroughfare, forcing the closure of Main Street for most of the day. Representatives of the Salt Lake City Public Works Department said aging parts of the infrastructure below ground were likely to blame - the line that burst under Main Street is nearly 100 years old. West Virginia-West Virginians, particularly in the mountainous southern part of the state in which many current water systems were installed in the early 1900s, routinely face adversity as a result of failing water infrastructure. The week of February 23, 2015 saw numerous instances in which residents of southern West Virginia were advised not to use or consume water before boiling as a result of possible contamination from broken water mains. These "boil water advisories" are unfortunately commonplace in this region, as recently reported by West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Residents of Keystone in
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
McDowell County, for example, have been on an advisory since 2010. The town's neighboring city, Northfork, has been on a boil water advisory since 2013. Nevada -Last summer a large water main break forced the closure of several buildings at the University of Nevada's Reno campus. The break caused power outages, data services disruption, and air cooling and water services outages that lasted more than two days; it also necessitated expensive repairs and cleanup of mud and water in the affected buildings. Classes had to be rescheduled or relocated. Maine-The Portland Water District pumps water to Portland and 10 surrounding communities - including Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Scarborough, and South Portland - is by far Maine’s largest water utility. Roughly 20% of its pipes, including 1,000 miles of water mains, are more than 80 years old. As a result, the District experienced 21 water main breaks last month, including three in Portland and one each in South Portland and Gorham just last week. Minnesota- The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority offices in downtown Minneapolis had to be closed for a full day last year when a nearby water main broke, necessitating repairs and damage cleanup. A report by the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center in 2011 found that of the estimated 535,000 individual sewage treatment systems in Minnesota, about 39% are failing or pose an imminent threat to public health and safety. The report stated that over the next 20 years, more than $6 billion will be needed for improvements to drinking water systems, more than $4.5 billion for public wastewater systems, and more than $1.2 billion for individual wastewater systems throughout the State. Washington- Last fall, a 16-inch pipe left Tacoma’s largest water customer, the RockTenn paper mill, out of service until repairs were completed. An estimated 20,000 gallons of water gushed from the main every minute for several hours, leaving a gaping hole in the street. Employees at roughly a dozen nearby businesses were advised to boil drinking water as a result California- Late last year, a major Murrieta thoroughfare was closed for nearly a week following a water main break. The water pressure was high enough to crack the road. The 16-inch water line – connected to the main pump station that imports water from Lake Skinner – was leaking at a rate of approximately 10,000 gallons of water a minute. A total estimated 500,000 leaked, according to a District spokesman. As a result, roughly 1,000 feet of pavement need to be repaired. Idaho- The Boise area has experienced numerous water main breaks in recent months. Last fall a Boise intersection near the Darigold plant was flooded due to a break causing the sidewalk to buckle. In Twin Falls, Harrison Elementary School had to close last fall due to an 8-inch water line break in front of the school, and residents were asked to boil water before drinking while contamination tests were conducted. The break was the third in a week for the Twin Falls area. My personal experience in Rhode Island also highlights the need for underground infrastructure. I’ve seen major reservoir supply lines rupture and 100 year old valves that could not be closed resulting in millions of gallons of lost water. In June of 2013, the EPA released the findings from its 2011 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA). This state-by-state study estimated America’s drinking water infrastructure needs will cost $384.2 billion over the next 20 years. This is a nearly $50 billion increase over the 2007 DWINSA and indicates our country is losing ground and falling further behind.
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
The high cost of infrastructure projects has, in the economic downturn, caused states and communities to forgo infrastructure projects regardless of need. Federal programs that support infrastructure projects have been insufficient in helping states and municipalities address these needs. The inevitable result is less maintenance and replacement of deteriorating infrastructure and fewer jobs for those who do this critical work. By neglecting this fundamental infrastructure, we’re not just turning our back on public health and environmental protection. We’re also missing huge opportunities to put Americans in a broad range of industries back to work. In addition, further delaying these projects only increases the scope of the need required and the cost to taxpayers. NUCA respectfully requests you address these concerns through the State Revolving Funds appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency. ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT Underground water and wastewater projects are generally recognized for their effectiveness in enhancing public health and environmental protection. Often overlooked, however, are the economic benefits that result from SRF appropriations. It is not an exaggeration to say that clean water projects go hand-in-hand with a healthy economy by creating jobs, expanding the local tax base and generating business and community development. Federal investment has a proven effect of creating tens of thousands of quality, high-paying jobs. Importantly, the job creation and increased economic activity that comes with federal and state funding enhances local economies and provides disadvantaged communities with opportunities to revitalize, and grow. SUDDEN IMPACT OF FUNDING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS The Clean Water Council released an economic impact study on the job creation and economic benefits that come with water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Sudden Impact: an Assessment of Short-Term Economic Impacts of Water and Wastewater Construction Projects in the United States takes a comprehensive look at 116 water and wastewater infrastructure projects in five states and 73 counties. Sudden Impact quantifies what we already know; that indeed, investment in underground environmental infrastructure projects results in significant job creation. Sudden Impact found that every $1 billion could create approximately 27,000 jobs. The average annual earnings within the pipe construction sector were found to be more than $50,000, and about one-half of these jobs are in industries outside of water and wastewater construction, illustrating the broad reach of investment in this infrastructure. Jobs are created in scores of industry sectors outside of construction, and the economic benefits that come with funding water infrastructure are not limited to job creation. Significant impacts on national output, personal spending, and state and local tax bases also transpire. The total effect of a $1 billion investment almost triples national output to an estimated $2.87 to $3.46 billion in economic demand for goods and services from other industries such as engineering, manufacturing, distribution and supply. Investment in underground environmental infrastructure also generates approximately $1.06 billion in personal (household) spending.
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
This “ripple effect” of economic activity that comes with construction projects cannot be understated. Investment in water and wastewater infrastructure projects can generate measurable employment in 325 other standard industry classifications in addition to the immediate construction jobs. Industries such as food services, real estate, health care, automotive repair and maintenance, legal services, retail sales, insurance, amusement and recreation, and various other industry sectors benefit when these projects get off the ground. The ripple effect on economic demand amounts to approximately $950 million per $1 billion invested; a huge return on investment for the federal government. Importantly, the study reports that approximately $82.4 million is generated for state and local tax bases with every $1 billion invested in these projects. This allows states to gain a better financial position to take on more infrastructure projects and begin to repair water and wastewater systems proactively rather than more expensively and reactively. The message behind these statistics is clear: investment in water and wastewater infrastructure projects is investment in an American asset, creating countless American jobs in hundreds of American industries, generating state and local tax revenue, and turning out considerable fiscal activity through local economies while rebuilding critical infrastructure the country desperately requires. The infrastructure needed to provide for safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment are fundamental considerations that encourage expanded investment, but think about the economic importance of clean and safe drinking water itself. A community and indeed, an effective society cannot do so without either. Clean water enhances individual productivity in countless ways and is undisputed. However, in times of economic difficulty, the funding of construction projects is therefore an effective way to stimulate growth and development far beyond the construction industry. The State Revolving Funds can and do make a difference in our infrastructure. CONCLUSION America can’t function without environmental infrastructure. It’s necessary for public health and good for business. It connects nearly everything we do on a daily basis, and is a precondition for economic renewal and growth. Investment in this infrastructure creates jobs here that cannot be outsourced overseas. NUCA strongly supports continued investment in the EPA’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving fund programs. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the subcommittee. I am happy to answer any questions or provide any further information you require.
Dig
out
Here’s how we start
to dig out
Stop harmful regulations
Ensure the longevity of the Highway Trust Fund
Promote innovativeinfrastructure financing
Support annualAppropriations for State
Revolving Fund and Rural Utility Service programs
Dig
out
Advocacy Priorities For 2015
Contact NUCA Government Relations:Will Brown| Director of Government Affairs [email protected] | 703.8907813www.nuca.com | www.cleanwatercouncil.org
@NUCA_National NUCA1964
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
Ensure the Longevity of the Highway Trust Fund
Fully fund multi-year Highway Trust Fund Reauthorization
Co-sponsor H.R. 625, the Infrastructure 2.0 Act and introduce similar legislation in the Senate
Co-sponsor H.R. 1846, 10-Years of Sustainable Funding of the Highway Trust Fund and introduce similar legislation
in the Senate
Background:
The Highway Trust Fund is facing financial insolvency. The national gas tax, which is the primary funding mechanism for the fund, is no longer sufficient for funding the trust fund. Without reforms to the funding mechanisms, the Highway Trust Fund will be unable to take on infrastructure projects. These projects include highway expansion and repaving, utility relocation, and bridge maintenance that are essential to both our private transportation and for our business’ competitiveness in getting goods to market.
In 2014, Congress passed a short-term funding extension that will expire at the end of May 2015. Allowing the HTF to go insolvent, even for a brief period of time, will halt projects and cripple development and planning during the construction industry’s busiest season.
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
What needs to be done and why:
The Highway Trust Fund is primarily responsible for financing transportation infrastructure projects and is essential to the upkeep and maintenance of our interstate road system.
H.R. 625, the Infrastructure 2.0 Act, introduced by Rep. John Delaney, would take significant strides toward improving America’s Infrastructure. Utilizing mandatory repatriation, H.R. 625 would reauthorize the HTF for six years and create a $50 billion dollar American Infrastructure Fund to finance a larger scope of infrastructure projects like water and energy infrastructure. It would then require Congress to pass comprehensive international tax reform within 18 months. If Congress is unable to meet this goal, the legislation would automatically create a tiered international tax code without the ability to hold corporate income offshore.
H.R. 1846 would provide 10-years of sustainable funding for the Highway Trust Fund. In order to achieve this, H.R. 1846 would, upon becoming law, immediately index the federal gasoline and diesel tax to inflation. Doing this will fund the highway trust fund for a little more than a year and a half. It will also require Congress to create a commission that will be responsible for determining the mechanisms for funding the Highway Trust Fund for the remainder of the 10-year period in at least three year increments. If Congress is unable to agree, the gas tax will automatically be increased to sustain three years of funding until Congress is able to find a different agreement.
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
Enact Innovative Infrastructure Financing Mechanisms
Provide greater accessibility for Public Private
Partnerships
Cosponsor H.R. 413- the Partnership to Build America Act and reintroduce in the Senate
Support Private Activity Bonds
Background:
Federal investment in infrastructure is falling further and further behind America’s needs. In order to keep up, Congress needs to find other sources for investment that can supplement, NOT REPLACE, current federal funding streams. Each of these proposals should be assessed as a part of a greater package of infrastructure proposals. None are a silver bullet, but all will make a meaningful difference.
What needs to be done and why:
Public Private Partnerships- P3’s are financing mechanisms that fuse private financing and public financing to alleviate the financial burden on communities and share the risk associated with investment.
The Partnership to Build America Act, H.R. 413- Introduced by Maryland Representative John Delaney, the Partnership to Build America Act would create an infrastructure trust fund funded entirely by private corporate dollars that are repatriated from foreign earnings. These initial dollars can be leveraged into much greater financing potential.
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
Support Private Activity Bonds (PABs) for water and wastewater infrastructure
Cosponsor H.R. 499 in House
Reintroduce the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act in Senate
Background:
In previous Congress’, legislation to lift the volume cap on PAB’s (the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act) was introduced by Rep. Geoff Davis (KY) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ) in the House, and Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) in the Senate. The annual volume cap hinders the use of PABs for water and wastewater infrastructure, which are generally multi-year projects and out-of-sight (and thus out of the minds of lawmakers). This modification would allow local communities to leverage private capital markets in combination with other finance mechanisms and provide an influx of low cost private capital to finance water infrastructure projects.
In early 2015, Rep. John Duncan, Jr. (TN) and Rep. Pascrell (NJ) introduced H.R. 499, the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2015, which will lift the volume cap on PABs for water and wastewater projects.
Why we need water and wastewater infrastructure exempt from PABs:
PABs are used for all sorts of municipal projects, which compete (and usually overcome) water projects. Pulling water and wastewater projects out from under the volume cap will allow municipalities more flexibility and opportunity to build these much needed infrastructure projects before their age and deterioration cause cataclysmic problems, both for the infrastructure and for the community’s balance sheet. This funding will create construction and jobs resulting from reliable infrastructure.
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
Stop Harmful Regulations
Regulations proposed and supported by the Administration should increase safety and productivity. The rulemaking process should be based on a scientifically proven need, not political motivation. That specific need should be addressed with rules and regulation that balance implementation of new standards that directly address the need with financial, administrative, and institutional feasibility.
Over the last several years, the administration has proposed rules and regulation that would specifically harm the business community, especially small businesses and contractors. Complying with regulations is the single most burdensome bureaucratic inhibitor to business growth. We need smarter regulation not more regulation.
What regulations do to harm businesses:
Silica- OSHA’s proposed rule concerning the regulation of crystalline silica will hurt every business in America. Current requirements for mitigating exposure to silica have worked. The new proposed rule would add billions of dollars in compliance costs to businesses, and therefore their customers, with insignificant impacts on the health of workers.
Injury and Illness- OSHA’s proposed Injury and Illness rule would require businesses to electronically file their injury and illness reports to OSHA. OSHA will then publish this information as a sort of public shaming. The business community objects to this because it creates an uneven playing field and could result in unwarranted business or public scrutiny.
Ambush Elections- The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has proposed regulatory action that would decrease communication between employers and employees via "ambush elections," forcing employers to provide private and personal employee information to union officials. (Senate Joint Resolution 8 (S.J. Res 8) and House Joint Resolution 29 would prohibit)
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
Stop the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule
Cosponsor H.R. 594- Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2015
Introduce legislation in the Senate prohibiting the implementation of the WOTUS rule.
Background:
In April of 2014, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule (EPA–HQ– OW–2011–0880) that will change the definition of water as it relates to the Clean Water Act (CWA). As the basis for the rule, EPA is using an report entitled “Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence,’’ which was first drafted in September 2013, and not finalized until January 2015, after the public comment period for the rule had been closed. The rule would change and expand the definition of ‘wetlands’ under the CWA to include non-contiguous waters like ponds, lakes, and ditches.
Why Stop the Rule?
The WOTUS rule would expand, outside the original intent, the Clean Water Act definition of 'wetlands' to areas outside the generally understood jurisdiction of ‘navigable waters’. For underground and excavation contractors who operate around tributaries, marshes, or wetlands dependent on rainfall, this rule will create not only confusion, but significant burdens to businesses. If an area is determined to be under federal jurisdiction under the expanded definition of CWA, contractors would need CWA Section 404 permits and be subject to the entire regulatory burden of the CWA. This rule will make construction or development surrounding these landscapes more difficult and expensive.
NUCA, Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors 3925 Chain Bridge Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (703) 358-9300 • www.NUCA.com
Support Annual Appropriations for State Revolving Fund and Rural
Utility Service Programs Support State Revolving Funds in the annual Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations of
2015 legislation
Support the Rural Utility Service Program in the Department of Agriculture and Related Agencies
Appropriations of 2015 legislation SRFs- The Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund are both administered by the EPA. The SRFs provide low-interest loans for investments in water and sanitation infrastructure. These funds are an integral aspect of infrastructure financing and really the only program exclusively dedicated to water infrastructure. Funding levels are not sufficient to meet the demand for project repair, maintenance, and infrastructure expansion.
RUS- The RUS program provides loans, grants, and load guarantees for infrastructure in rural communities. Infrastructure projects include water and waste treatment, electric power, and telecommunications services. Without the RUS program, many rural communities would not have clean water or electricity.
Key Findings from Sudden Impact: An Assessment of Short-Term Economic Impacts of Water and Wastewater Construction Projects
in the United States
At the national level, an investment of $1 billion almost triples in size as total demand for goods and services reaches an estimated $2.87 to $3.46 billion
The total effect on economic demand is smaller at the state level, but direct investments in water and wastewater infrastructure can nearly double as expenditures for necessary supplies and household spending impact the economy
Industries indirectly related to water and wastewater infrastructure experience an estimated $918 million in demand. These industries are indirectly affected by investments in water and wastewater infrastructure because they provide services that support project design (e.g., architectural and engineering services) or products and supplies essential for project completion (e.g., industrial machinery and equipment, truck transport)
Ripple effects on economic demand can range across a number of industries and amount to an estimated $949 million. A wide range of industries that are not related, directly or indirectly, to building or improving water and wastewater infrastructure nonetheless see demand for their products or services increase as households re-spend income in the economy. These effects occur in sectors as varied as bookkeeping services, energy and telecommunications, health care, motor vehicles, food retail stores, dining establishments, and amusement and recreation services
An estimated 20,003 to 26,669 jobs can result from a national investment of $1 billion. These opportunities are spread across the economy with more than one-half of the jobs in industries other than water and wastewater construction
The economic security of households is strengthened. Total employee compensation a category that includes wages and salaries as well as contributions to social insurance programs such as Social Security is enhanced by an estimated $1 billion. Job creation includes an estimated 8,366 jobs in the pipe construction sector where average earnings of more than $50,000 exceed median household income for the U.S.
State and local revenues increase by an estimated $82.4 million as infrastructure is built or improved, though the size of effects vary by location, size, and type of project
NUCA of Colorado Julie Massaro
NUCA of ConnecticutMatthew Hallisey
NUCA of DelmarvaJames Clendaniel
NUCA of DCDebora Harvey
NUCA of Central FloridaKaren DeWitt
NUCA of Northwest FloridaTrysha Scott
NUCA of Southwest FloridaRhonda Cason
Suncoast Utility Contractors AssociationTheresa Mannix
Underground Cont. Assn of S. FloridaJennifer Mancini
NUCA of North FloridaKathy Blackman
NUCA of HawaiiSheryl Matsuoka
NUCA of IndianaRebecca Golembeske
NUCA of IowaCallie Johnson
NUCA of NebraskaJanet Seelhoff
NUCA of Las VegasTed Pistone
NUCA of the CarolinasLinda Goslee
NUCA of OhioRachel Pinkus
NUCA of PennsylvaniaBrenda Reigle
NUCA of Rhode Island/UCARIJoe Wells
NUCA of North TexasDeana Butorac
Central & SW Virginia Utility Contr. AssnDave Burns
NUCA of VirginiaJessica Bull
NUCA of WashingtonAndrea Ruotolo
2015
NUCA CHAPTERS
3925 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 300 Fairfax VA 22030 · 703-358-9300 · Fax: 703-358-9307 · www.NUCA.com
Industry leadership since 1964