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February 2022 | Advertising for Certified Women, Veteran & Minority-Owned Subcontractors | 71st Edition

Looking at Industry Challenges, Forecasts & the Future

THE STATE OF CONSTRUCTION 16-17

INSIDE

26

DART Welcomes Deanna Leggett as EVP of Growth and Regional Development

18

Contractors: How Following the Basics Help You Win the Permitting Game

29

William P. Hobby Airport Becomes First Airport in North America to Earn a 5-Star International Rating

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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

Keith "MR. D-MARS" Davis, Sr. CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

Subcontractors USA highlights opportunities and news relevant to the construction, energy, architecture, manufacturing, education, engineering, oil and gas, transportation, and IT industries we serve. We hope you find this issue not only informative but inspiring and educational as well.

This month’s cover story highlights construction industry challenges, forecasts, and the future. For solid and consistent business success in a competitive construction market, it’s vital that you remain aware of statistics and data. These recent findings highlight the state of construction around Texas and our nation, which will prove valuable in your decision-making when it comes to partnerships, certifications, and

Port of Houston

Metro

BEHIND THE JOURNAL

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla ASSISTANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tiffany Brown OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Bria Casteel ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Erick Fontejon PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard DISTRIBUTION Mike Jones CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Destiny Vaquera Sarah Wilson Dana C Sotoodeh Helen Callier Subcontractors USA News Provider

—Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company

City of Houston

HISD

16-17 04 ARCHITECTURE 04 Hines College and Valenti School of Communication Join Forces To Develop Cutting-Edge Technology 06 Documenting South Asian’s Impact on Houston’s Cityscapes 08 CONSTRUCTION 08 OSHA Vaccine Mandate Withdrawal Will Ease Sector’s Labor Challenges as Construction Firms Struggle To Reach Pre-Pandemic Job Levels 10 Materials Prices Soar 20 Percent in 2021 Despite Moderating in December; Most Contractors in Association Survey List Costs as Top Concern in 2022 12 ENERGY 12 API: ‘Every Type of Energy’ Needed to Address Economic and Climate Challenges 12 API Supports EPA Methane Rulemaking Effort, Suggests Improvements

18 PERMITS 18 Contractors: How Following the Basics Help You Win the Permitting Game 20 SAFETY 20 OSHA Withdraws Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard 22 Osha Alliance Provides Important Workplace Safety Updates For Technical Guide Assessing Robot Systems 26 TRANSPORTATION 26 DART Welcomes Deanna Leggett as EVP of Growth and Regional Development 28 METRO Board of Directors Adopts Agency-Wide Climate Action Plan 29 William P. Hobby Airport Becomes First Airport in North America to Earn a 5-Star International Rating

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ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION

16-17 COVER STORY

16-17 Looking at Industry Challenges, Forecasts & the Future The State of Construction

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OUR SERVICES

CONTENTS

PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. CHIEF OF STAFF & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd

"There is only one rule for the industrialist and that is: make the best quality goods possible at the lowest cost possible, paying the highest wages possible."

expansion efforts. Whether you are a general contractor or subcontractor, you need to know the current statistics for this industry.

It’s important you stay ahead of the competitive construction arena by expanding your knowledge, reviewing information on a regular basis as the industry is everchanging.

So, after this read, are you prepared for the state of construction now and in the future?

As always, thank you for your continued support of Subcontractors USA. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

GRAPHIC DESIGN • Logos • Flyers • Ads • Folders • Brochures • Door Hangers PRINTING • Business Cards • Flyers • Folders • Pull-up Banners • Step and Repeat Banners • Brochures • Door Hangers • Letterhead • Envelopes PHOTOGRAPHY • Headshots • Event Photography Online & Email Marketing Social Media Advertising

14 OIL AND GAS 14 ExxonMobil, SABIC Start Operations at Gulf Coast Manufacturing Facility 14 State’s Critical Natural Gas Supply Demonstrating Significant Progress Winterizing Equipment

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ARCHITECTURE

Hines College

and Valenti School of Communication Join Forces To Develop Cutting-Edge Technology Collaboration brings about AutoBox Mobile Digital Display

By Destiny Vaquera UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design Contributor

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erald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design professors Patrick Peters and Jason Logan, along with nine graduate architecture students, joined forces with the University of Houston Jack J. Valenti School of Communication to design the AutoBox Mobile Digital Display, a portable venue for the digital screening of student's work that can be deployed both inside and outside.

Professors Peters and Logan and the students – Vanessa Beckett, Montserrat Bribiesca, Hannah Hemmer, Brian Liu, Joshua Rodriguez, Nora Segura, Naraphat (Pear) Siriko, Tiffany Thai, and Courtney Warren-Williams – designed AutoBox, utilizing construction and electronic components, software, and materials from across the globe. It includes software from Israel, horizontal glides from France, wheels and aluminum composite panels from the United Kingdom, screens from China, vertical actuators from California, and custom-fabricated stainless-steel hinges from Houston.

"After we started working on the project, it became very clear this was the ideal solution for COVID-19 protocols", said Professor Patrick Peters.

"After what we all experienced during the pandemic, AutoBox's portable design allows us the ability to gather and have a common event that is socially distanced and outdoors."

AutoBox Mobile Digital Display was the 2020 project of Hines College's Graduate Design/Build Studio, a 32-year community engagement initiative.

The studio offers the master of architecture students an opportunity to see their ideas evolve from conception to completed construction while demonstrating full-scale the implications of the students' aspirations, measuring the quality of their design thinking against the rigorous stand of the built reality.

Hines College master of architecture alumnus and president of Aria Signs and Display, Shaya Attaei, provided the fabrication services pro-bono and donations of paint, steel, and aluminum materials. Dr. Steven Wilkerson, PE, president of Zia Engineering, provided the structural engineering services pro-bono and collaborated with the students on the design.

"Designing AutoBox encouraged me to apply my skillset accordingly, as well be a team player throughout the process," said Brian Liu. "It allowed us to use both our imagination and critical thinking skills to come up with a design that was truly unique. It also allowed us to look at architecture from a different perspective, which helped me personally as a designer," shared Courtney Warren-Williams.

"The virtual team design process proved to be the most challenging; however, it was rewarding to see the completed model in person," said Nora Segura.

"I believe AutoBox will impact future students' education by showing that while architecture does heavily concentrate on the built environment, there is a certain level of architecture and design that goes into everyday and notso-everyday products," shared Warren-Williams.

The Hines College of Architecture and Design recently utilized AutoBox at the 75th Anniversary Gala and IDesign week late last year. On December 15, 2021, Dr. Jennifer Vardeman, director of the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication, featured AutoBox as the venue to screen fifteen student films in the school's broadcast studio at its inaugural Experience Valenti Showcase event.

"With AutoBox being cutting-edge technology, we believe that it helps students visualize how their films and products can be used in the new media era. It also encourages them to be able to think more creatively and be more entrepreneurial in terms of how they visualize and bring their stories to a greater life than ever before", said Dr. Jennifer Vardeman, Jack J. Valenti School of Communication associate professor and director. "The architecture students largely developing this project during the pandemic is a perfect example of the power of the students here at the University, their limitless creativity, resilience, and ability to innovate."

To learn more about the Graduate Design/Built Studios, please visit www.uh.edu/architecture.

Source(s): Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design

Introducing: Opportunity Business Equity at Port Houston Our NEW Business Equity Division provides resources to small, minority- and woman-owned businesses seeking to participate in Port Houston procurements.

Learn more about how we can help support your business at: www.porthouston.com/businessequity

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The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program at the University of Houston (UH) is committed to promoting the inclusion of HUB vendors in university procurements. The HUB Program ensures compliance with state HUB laws, assists UH departments in locating HUB vendors; as well as offering HUBs assistance to facilitate access and contracting opportunities.

For more information about how to do business with the University of Houston, bid opportunities, or to learn about events, workshops and seminars, visit: www.uh.edu/hub

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ARCHITECTURE

A New Urban Energy:

Documenting South Asian’s Impact on Houston’s Cityscapes

By Sarah Wilson Texas A&M College of Architecture Contributing Writer

I

mmigrants who hail from South Asia, the Middle East and South America have created new communities in Houston while transforming abandoned structures in the city into vibrant hubs for commerce and community gatherings.

The city’s rapid growth has been fueled in part by these and other immigrant groups who are making their own unique mark on the city’s culture, history and architecture. However, their contributions aren’t widely known outside their communities.

“This kind of urban revitalization often flies under the radar,” said Priya Jain, Texas A&M assistant professor of architecture, who is tracing the architectural impact of urban, immigrant culture. “It doesn’t get talked about in glossy magazines, but it plays a big role in keeping a city active. Previously vacant, defunct or abandoned properties get rehabilitated with a new life. Suddenly those areas are buzzing with activity.”

Jain is tracing the architectural impact of immigrant culture and also learning what buildings, built or repurposed, are significant to individual cultures.

“As an immigrant myself, I wonder how we tell the stories of these people and the impact they’ve made,” said Jain, a first-generation immigrant from India who came to the U.S. 16 years ago.

Jain, also the associate director of Texas A&M’s Center for Heritage Conservation, along with researchers Sarah McNamara and Kazuko Suzuki of the College of Liberal Arts, is studying immigrants’ impact in Houston with a $32,000 T3 Texas A&M Triads for Transformation Research Grant.

HiddenInfluences Influences Hidden Houston is well-known for its suburban sprawl and “strip mall vernacular,” where buildings’ functionality is often more important than its aesthetics. This type of growth and building style means it’s that much harder to trace individual groups’ influences and preserve buildings that are important to immigrants’ cultural histories, said Jain.

“While Houston has its ‘Chinatown’ and ‘Little India,’ they look very different from their more historicized versions in other major cities,” she said.

Jain is gathering data from a fast-growing subgroup, the South Asian community, many of whom have made their homes in what was originally known as the Hillcroft area on Houston’s southwest side.

This “remade” place was originally a white suburb in the 1950s and ‘60s, said Jain. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, after those residents moved to newer suburbs, immigrants moved in and started to make their own mark.

“They took over these older buildings, sometimes repurposing them, but also built new buildings and created their own spaces, merging the old and new, trying to blend in and keep their cultural identity intact,” said Jain.

One significant example is the district’s Pakistan Cultural Center.

Previously a grocery store, it was converted into a community space with conference rooms, a library,

prayer halls and sports and recreation rooms. It’s now an important location for Pakistanis to come together and share their heritage, said Jain.

Signs of Change In 2010, the city of Houston, in recognition of South Asian-Americans’ impact, designated an area along Hillcroft Avenue, a major thoroughfare in Houston with a large concentration of South Asian ethnic stores and restaurants as the Mahatma Gandhi District.

Some community members also petitioned to rename that part of Hillcroft Avenue, to Mahatma Gandhi Avenue. “There was a lot of pushback and it never happened,” Jain said. “But there was a slight compromise.

‘Mahatma Gandhi District’ signs were put up and it now kind of has both identities at the same time.”

KnowledgeGap Gap AAKnowledge Documenting recent immigrants’ impact on the built environment is a new and understudied research area, said Jain. “While it’s great that scholars are starting to catalog the stories of immigrants, architecture’s role in that story is largely missing. We haven’t talked about what kind of spaces these immigrants have built or what cultural value they ascribe to them.”

To learn more about Houston’s South Asian community, Jain and her team will interview these immigrants, who largely moved to Houston after the 1965 Immigration Reform Act and catalog their place-based experiences.

“We’re going to ask them where they lived when they first moved here, where they worked, and in what neighborhoods,” Jain said. “Where did they buy their first homes here and where did they find financing … how did they develop their spaces and were they trying to blend in or stand out?”

Jain said they will also survey participants about their knowledge of historic preservation and what they feel should be a candidate for preservation in their community.

“The intent is to map what forms immigrant identity takes in a city like Houston and how that fits into our architectural history,” Jain said.

The work could also help residents take ownership of their role of preservation processes a nd empower communities to preserve their heritage.

Lost to History

Lost to History

Because Houston’s immigrants have only been present for a few decades, their impact on the city and its architecture hasn’t been recognized by most historic or cultural preservation efforts or organizations.

Traditionally, Jain says, in the U.S. buildings are not considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or similar lists that recognize historical importance until they are at least 50 years old, which could prevent more recent culturally important places from being protected.

“A lot of people assume that the rule is 50 years because that is the point at which buildings start to deteriorate,” Jain said. “But that’s not true. Buildings start to deteriorate within 10–20 years. So even with 50 years, we are going to lose a lot of buildings before we even have a chance to understand the social and cultural significance of these places.”

Jain said this is a known problem in the global historic preservation community that some countries are trying to address. There are places, like the Houston Space Center, that immediately get added to the National Register because its role in the country’s history is well known.

However, many significant structures get demolished without intervention or the opportunity for people to fight for preservation.

Jain said the quick, 2017 demolition of the iconic Hall of Nations in New Delhi, India, enraged the design and preservation communities locally and throughout the world.

“But because that building was only 40 years old, the government demolished it in a week,” Jain said. “They didn’t have to go through any regulatory process. There was a big uproar.”

ProtectingHistory History Protecting Culturally important sites in Houston could still be relatively young today, but will soon be candidates for preservation, said Jain.

To help prevent losing such structures to history, Jain serves on The Society of Architectural Historians Heritage Conservation Committee, an international group that petitions for significant buildings around the world that are threatened. They issue advocacy and position statements and try to bring attention to endangered structures to support their preservation.

“These buildings truly are threatened and there is a real need for us to change our mindsets and policies to recognize that cultural and historical importance does not have to be tied to an arbitrary age value,” she said. “We can transcend that and consider other overriding factors.”

NewStories Stories New Researchers in Washington D.C. found that people who can trace their roots in communities over time could have better emotional well-being and a higher sense of belonging.

“The arguments for preservation are not only cultural but also social, psychological and environmental,” said Jain. “A lot of preservation efforts begin at the local level. It really has to come from the people and begins with engaging the diverse communities that make up our cities and suburbs.”

For more information, please visit www.arch.tamu.edu/arch.

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Source(s): Texas A&M College of Architecture

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CONSTRUCTION

OSHA Vaccine Mandate

Withdrawal Will Ease Sector’s Labor Challenges as Construction Firms Struggle To Reach Pre-Pandemic Job Levels New York, Louisiana Have Worst Losses Between December & February 2020, While Utah, South Dakota Top Gainers; Florida, Alabama, Rhode Island Have Worst One-Month Losses & Texas, West Virginia Have Best Gains

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

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onstruction employment in December remained below levels reached just before the start of the pandemic in more than half the states as firms struggled to find enough workers to hire, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. But the Biden Administration’s decision today to withdraw its emergency vaccine mandate for firms that employ 100 or more people will help firms avoid losing workers unwilling to comply with the new measure.

The decision by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration to withdraw its emergency temporary standard requiring workers at firms that employ 100 or more people to be vaccinated or tested weekly comes after the Supreme Court signaled its strong support for legal challenges filed by the Associated General Contractors of America and other entities against the measure.

The association challenged the rule late last year noting that the measure was unlawful and would do little to boost vaccination rates among construction workers, citing the fact that 64 percent of the construction industry works for firms that employ 99 or fewer people.

With nearly 90 percent of construction firms having a hard time finding workers to hire, the rule would simply have encouraged vaccine-hesitant workers to move to smaller firms.

“The Biden administration is right to abandon its misguided vaccine emergency rule and we encourage them to do the same with a similar measure affecting federal contractors that we are also challenging in court,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief

executive officer. “At the same time, we will continue to work with the administration to ensure its planned permanent vaccine rule applies only to workers in industries like healthcare that OSHA deems at high risk from the coronavirus.”

From February 2020—the month before the pandemic—to last month, construction employment declined in 26 states, rose in 23 states and D.C., and was flat in Montana. New York lost the most construction jobs over the period (-42,000 jobs or -10.3 percent), followed by Texas (-30,200 jobs, -3.9 percent) and California (-22,300 jobs, -2.4 percent). The largest percentage losses were in Louisiana (-12.6 percent, -17,200 jobs), Wyoming (-10.9 percent, -2,500 jobs), and New York.

Utah added the most construction jobs since February 2020 (10,000 jobs, 8.8 percent), followed by Washington (8,200 jobs, 3.7 percent) and North Carolina (7,900 jobs, 3.4 percent). The largest percentage gains were in South Dakota (10.5 percent, 2,500 jobs), followed by Utah and Idaho (8.2 percent, 4,500 jobs).

From November to December construction employment decreased in 16 states, increased in 32 states and D.C., and was flat in Nevada and South Dakota. Florida lost the most jobs (-3,400 jobs, -0.6 percent), followed by New York (-2,900 jobs, -0.8 percent) and Pennsylvania (-1,200 jobs, -0.5 percent).

Texas added the most jobs from November to December (10,400 jobs, 1.4 percent), followed by Ohio (5,700 jobs, 2.4%) and Missouri (3,700 jobs, 2.9 percent). West Virginia had the largest percentage gain (4.6 percent, 1,500 jobs), followed by New Mexico (3.2 percent, 1,600 jobs) and Louisiana (3.0 percent, 3,500 jobs).

Source(s): Associated General Contractors of America

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CONSTRUCTION

Materials Prices Soar

20 Percent in 2021 Despite Moderating in December; Most Contractors in Association Survey List Costs as Top Concern in 2022 Construction Officials Say Biden Administration’s Plan to Double Tariffs on Canadian Lumber, Leave Other Ones in Place will Undermine Efforts to Address the Rapid Inflation in Key Materials Costs

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

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rices of construction materials jumped nearly 20 percent in 2021 despite moderating in December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said contractors rate materials costs as a top concern for 2022, according to a survey predicting the industry’s outlook for the industry the association released yesterday.

“Costs may not rise as steeply in 2022 as they did last year but they are likely to remain volatile, with unpredictable prices and delivery dates for key materials,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That volatility can be as hard to cope with as steadily rising prices and lead times.”

In the association’s 2022 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Survey, material costs were listed as a top concern

by 86 percent of contractors, more than any concern. Availability of materials and supply chain disruptions were the second most frequent concern, listed by 77 percent of the more than 1000 respondents.

The producer price index for inputs to new nonresidential construction—the prices charged by goods producers and service providers such as distributors and transportation firms—increased by 0.5 percent in December and 19.6 percent in 2021 as a whole. Those gains topped the rise in the index for new nonresidential construction—a measure of what contractors say they would charge to erect five types of nonresidential buildings, Simonson noted. That index climbed by 0.3 percent for the month and 12.5 percent from a year earlier.

Prices moderated for some construction materials in December but still ended the year with large gains, Simonson observed.

The price index for steel mill products rose 0.2 percent in December, its smallest rise in 15 months, but soared 127.2 percent over 12 months. The index for diesel fuel

declined 5.3 percent for the month but increased 54.9 percent for the year. The index for aluminum mill shapes slid 4.9 percent in December but rose 29.8 percent over 12 months, while the index for copper and brass mill shapes fell 3.3 percent in December but rose 23.4 percent over the year.

Some prices accelerated in December.

The index for plastic const r uction products

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climbed 1.3 percent for the month and 34.0 percent over 12 months. The index for lumber and plywood rose 12.7 percent and 17.6 percent.

Association officials said rising materials prices threaten to undermine what is otherwise a strong outlook for the construction industry in 2022. They urged the Biden administration to reconsider its plans to double tariffs on Canadian lumber and leave other trade barriers in place that artificially inflate the costs of key construction materials.

“Making lumber and other materials even more expensive will not tame inflation, boost supplies of affordable housing or help the economy grow,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Instead, the administration should be removing tariffs and beating inflation.”

Source(s): Associated General Contractors of America

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ENERGY

API: ‘Every Type of Energy’ Needed to Address Economic and Climate Challenges

By Dana C Sotoodeh CPS Energy Contributor

A

merican Petroleum Institute (API) President and CEO Mike Sommers recently delivered remarks alongside other energy leaders during the 18th Annual State of the Energy Industry Forum, hosted by the U.S. Energy Association. Sommers urged policymakers to advance U.S. energy leadership and address today’s economic and climate challenges by supporting safe and responsible U.S. production of all energy sources, unleashing private investment and expanding energy infrastructure projects.

“Americans and the world are counting on all of us to meet energy demand responsibly,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said.

“Despite reports to the contrary, there are plenty of ways to find consensus and common ground … whether it’s working together toward infrastructure and permitting policies that enable critical projects and good union jobs; keeping America the world’s energy leader; or addressing the challenge of climate change.”

With the global population projected to increase another 2 billion by 2050, Sommers noted that “every type of energy” will be needed to address today’s most pressing challenges, from the ongoing pandemic and supply chain disruptions to rising inflation and climate change. Sommers highlighted four key areas where policymakers and all energy industries can work together, including supporting permitting guidelines that both protect the environment and avoid unnecessary delays; finalizing the direct regulation of methane for new and existing sources; advancing carbon capture; and building on momentum in expanding LNG export capacity.

“There’s an important case to be made for cooperation between all of our industries and this administration. Cooperation is a necessity in ensuring the supply of U.S. energy, including solar, wind, nuclear – and yes, petroleum products,” Sommers said, citing IEA data that projects natural gas and oil will account for nearly half of the energy mix in 2040 even if countries meet Paris Climate Agreement commitments.

“The only real decision here is where natural gas and oil are produced,” Sommers said. “Energy is an input for practically everything else in the economy.

With supply-chain failures, and with inflation on the minds of many Americans, the last thing anyone wants to see is more upward pressure on costs that are felt by every family and business.”

“I think the answer is obvious: working together, let’s sustain the momentum of reducing emissions and addressing climate risk while keeping energy production of all kinds here in America,” Sommers concluded.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

For more information and for the full speech, please visit api.org.

ENERGY

API Supports

EPA Methane Rulemaking Effort, Suggests Improvements

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

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he American Petroleum Institute (API) recently submitted comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)’s proposed methane regulations, emphasizing support for the direct regulation of methane for new and existing sources and highlighting the industry’s progress in reducing methane emissions intensity from operations.

“Reducing methane emissions is a priority for our industry, and we are committed to advancing the development, testing and utilization of new technologies and practices to better understand, detect and further mitigate emissions,” API SVP of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Frank Macchiarola wrote in the submitted comments. “API supports the cost-effective direct regulation of methane from new and existing sources across the supply chain and directionally supports the EPA proposal to reduce VOC and methane emissions.”

API’s comments highlighted the action energy producers are taking to drive down methane emissions. “In recent years, energy producers have implemented leak detection and repair programs, phased out the use of high-bleed pneumatic controllers, and reduced emissions associated with flaring – voluntarily and under federal and state regulations,” Macchiarola noted.

Thanks to innovation and industry initiatives like The Environmental Partnership, average methane emissions intensity declined by nearly 60 percent across all seven major producing regions from 2011 to 2020, even as American production increased.

The Environmental Partnership – which includes nearly 100 companies who make up more than 70 percent of total onshore U.S. oil and natural gas production – has implemented a series of methane emissions reducing programs in every major oil and natural gas basin across the country, launched a new flare management program to help companies to avoid flaring and minimize emissions when flaring does occur, and safely implemented two new midstream-focused environmental performance programs.

EPA has yet to publish the rule text for the proposed regulations, but API based its comments on the preamble text and focused on the effectiveness of emission reduction strategies, safety, feasibility, operability, and cost, and where appropriate, recommended alternative approaches. API highlighted support for a number of EPA’s proposed provisions, including for the importance of provisions enabling operators to take advantage of new and emerging leak detection technologies.

API also called on EPA to publish the full text before setting the new source applicability date. As Macchiarola noted, “Without regulatory text, affected facilities cannot know with certainty what regulatory requirements EPA has proposed and are thus unable to reasonably plan to comply with the final rule.”

“API is committed to working with EPA and the administration as it develops and finalizes regulations that are cost-effective, facilitate innovation and further the progress made in reducing emissions, to ensure that the oil and gas industry can continue to provide the world with the affordable, reliable energy it needs while reducing emissions and addressing the risks of climate change,” Macchiarola said.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

For more information, please visit api.org.

Source(s): American Petroleum Institute

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Source(s): American Petroleum Institute

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OIL AND GAS

ExxonMobil, SABIC Start Operations at

Gulf Coast Manufacturing Facility IRVING, Texas and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – ExxonMobil and SABIC recently announced the successful startup of Gulf Coast Growth Ventures world-scale manufacturing facility in San Patricio County, Texas.

• Gulf Coast Growth Ventures facility will meet growing demand for performance products • Site enters operations ahead of schedule

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

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he new facility will produce materials used in packaging, agricultural film, construction materials, clothing, and automotive coolants.

The operation includes a 1.8 million metric ton per year ethane steam cracker, two polyethylene units capable of producing up to 1.3 million metric tons per year, and a

monoethylene glycol unit with a capacity of 1.1 million metric tons per year.

“We built this state-of-the-art chemical plant ahead of schedule and below budget, by leveraging our global projects expertise in execution planning and delivery, while keeping everyone safe and healthy,” said Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

“This is a remarkable achievement that positions us well to help meet growing global demand for performance products while providing meaningful investment in the U.S. Gulf Coast.”

“This is a very proud moment for the parent companies,” said Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, SABIC’s executive vice president of Petrochemicals. “It was with a great deal of dedication that our teams were able to safely start up each element of the plant before the close of 2021. As we begin this next chapter for GCGV, we look forward to continuing our role as a good neighbor in the Coastal Bend.”

Construction began in the third quarter of 2019, creat-

ing an estimated 6,000 high-paying construction jobs, and the manufacturing plant now directly employs more than 600 people.

ExxonMobil and SABIC have partnered together for 40 years on petrochemical projects. Gulf Coast Growth Ventures represents their first joint venture in the Americas.

SABIC is the operating partner for two long-standing joint ventures with ExxonMobil in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kemya in Jubail and Yanpet in Yanbu. Ownership interests in Gulf Coast Growth Ventures are evenly divided with 50 percent to ExxonMobil and 50 percent to SABIC. ExxonMobil is the site operator.

For more information, please visit exxonmobil.com.

Source(s): ExxonMobil

OIL AND GAS

State’s Critical

Natural Gas Supply Demonstrating Significant Progress Winterizing Equipment

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

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ngoing RRC site visits to natural gas facilities show that significant progress has been made

by Texas facilities to supply the fuel in emergency weather conditions.

As the recent freezing weather at the end of December demonstrated, much needed quantities of natural gas did flow to electric generating power plants and into people’s homes for heating.

It’s very important to understand that daily gas production can fluctuate from hour to hour due to a variety of reasons, such as scheduled maintenance and scheduled downtime for safety reasons.

Average statewide daily production can vary as much as more than 2 billion cubic feet per day, even during late spring. Given Texas’ production totals, this means more than 90% of the daily stays online.

Daily natural gas production is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to natural gas supply. Gas produced from wellheads needs to be processed and transported to end users.

The vast majority of the state’s natural supply is stored in underground storage facilities and packed in major pipelines.

For this reason, RRC inspectors not only visit natural gas wells but, more importantly, natural storage and pipelines.

As of mid-December, the state had approximately 448 billion cubic feet of working gas in underground storage, and another 30-35 billion cubic feet is typically in pipelines at any given time.

Since the end of last summer, RRC inspectors have conducted site visits at more than 3,800 natural gas facilities representing oil and gas leases with nearly 22,000 active wells, gas storage facilities that account for about 76% the state’s gas storage, and more than 350 pipelines transporting natural gas.

During the site visits, which are continuing throughout the winter, RRC in-

spectors have been directly observing measures operators are undertaking to provide gas supplies under normal and emergency conditions. Inspectors have physically observed what devices natural gas facilities have put in place and processes to harden their assets against cold weather.

About 98% of the facilities visited had been winterized. The remaining 2% or so were in the process of winterizing at the time when RRC visited them in the last few months.

“We have been putting boots on the ground and eyes on the state’s critical assets,” said Ted Wooten, RRC Director of Critical Infrastructure. “Based on what our inspectors have observed, natural gas producers and pipeline operators have taken necessary actions to ensure gas will continue to flow this winter to people’s homes and power plants.”

Preliminary data for October 2021 shows the statewide average natural gas production at about 26.5 billion cubic feet per day, which was up by more than 1.5 billion cubic feet per day than in October 2020.

A n d Texas continues to

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add more production capacity.

Since the start of the fourth quarter of last year, operators in the Permian Basin have added more than 30 drilling rigs to the basin, bringing the total to nearly 300 as of January with the state at more than 400. From August to December, well completions averaged more than 400 per month – the highest since first-quarter 2020, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Information RRC inspectors have been collecting is also helping the agency to develop industry best practices and guidelines. There is a best practices report that’s included as the last attachment in the Texas Electricity Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee Report.

For more information, please visit www.rrc.texas.gov.

Source(s): Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)

February 2022 | 15

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Looking at Industry Ch

THE STATE O

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

F

or solid and consistent business success in a competitive construction market, it’s vital that you remain aware of statistics and data. These recent findings highlight the state of construction around Texas and our nation, which will prove valuable in your decisionmaking when it comes to partnerships, certifications, and expansion efforts. Whether you are a general contractor or subcontractor, you need to know the current statistics for this industry.

Monthlyconstruction constructionspending: spending: Monthly Total Construction Construction spending during January 2022 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,677.2 billion, 1.3 percent (±0.8 percent) above the revised December estimate of $1,655.8 billion. The January figure is 8.2 percent (±1.2 percent) above the January 2021 estimate of $1,549.8 billion.

Whether you are a general contractor or subcontractor, you need to know the current statistics for this industry. These recent findings highlight the state of construction around Texas and our nation. You must know the industry for a strong business foundation to remain competitive in this market, and a major component of that is being aware of recent data. Hopefully, these statistics shared will help you prepare, for not only the current state of construction but the future as well.”

—Keith “MR. D-MARS” Davis, Sr.

Private Construction Spending on private const r uc t ion was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,326.5 billion, 1.5 percent (±0.5 percent) above the revised December estimate of $1,307.1 billion. Residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $829.4 billion in January, 1.3 percent (±1.3 percent)* above the revised December estimate of $819.0 billion. Nonresidential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $497.2 billion in January, 1.8 percent (±0.5 percent) above the revised December estimate of $488.2 billion.

Public Construction In January, the estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending was $350.7 billion, 0.6 percent (±1.5 percent)* above the revised December estimate of $348.7 billion. Educational construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $80.9 billion, virtually unchanged from (±1.8 percent)* the revised December estimate of $81.0 billion. Highway construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $105.3 billion, 0.1 percent (±4.1 percent)* below the revised December estimate of $105.5 billion.

The February 2022 Monthly Construction Spending Report is scheduled for release on April 1, 2022.

View the full schedule in the Economic Briefing Room at www.census.gov/economic-indicators. The full text and tables for this release can be found at www.census.gov/constructionspending.

Source: The U.S. Census Bureau, March 2022

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Focusing on our nation, specifically Texas, let’s look at some of the economic impacts of construction: • In Texas, construction contributed $100.9 billion (5.3%) of the state’s GDP of $1.9 trillion. There were 706,000 construction firms in the U.S. in 2017, including 43,859 in Texas.

• Private nonresidential spending in Texas totaled $45.4 billion in 2019. State and local spending totaled $36.5 billion.

• Construction jobs pay well. In Texas, 4 out of the 5 most numerous construction occupations had higher median pay than the median for all employees in the state in 2019.

Source: Ken Simonson, Chief Economist, AGC of America, ken. simonson@agc.org, from Bureau of Economic Analysis (GDP); Census Bureau (spending); Bureau of Labor Statistics (national and state employment, median wages); AGC (workforce survey).

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hallenges, Forecasts & the Future

OF CONSTRUCTION Markettrends trendsand andchallenges: challenges: Market

Globalconstruction constructionmarket marketsize sizeinin2020, 2020, with Global with forecasts up until 2030: forecasts up until 2030:

Contractors see growing and intense difficulties finding skilled workers and are paying more to attract them. A majority (62%) of contractors report high difficulty finding skilled workers, up from 55% who said the same last quarter (and up 20 points yearover-year). Over half (56%) of contractors report a high degree of concern about their workers having adequate skill levels, up six points from last quarter and 20 points year-over-year.

Almost all (95%) contractors are experiencing at least one product shortage, up from 93% last quarter and up 24 points (71%) who said the same a year ago. The product which most contractors are experiencing a shortage in is steel (27%), followed by roofing at 19%.

The revenue of the global construction industry is expected to grow steadily over the next years. In 2030, it is projected to be more than twice as big as it was in 2020. The size of the construction market amounted to 6.4 trillion U.S. dollars in 2020, and it is expected to reach 14.4 trillion in 2030.

Source: Statista

If this information is new to you, then it’s important you stay ahead of the competitive construction arena by expanding your knowledge, reviewing information on a regular basis as the industry is everchanging. So, after this read, are you prepared for the state of construction now and in the future?

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Statista The Associated General Contractors of America U.S. Chamber Commercial Construction

Profit, Profit,revenue, revenue,and andfinancing: financing:

Contractors still see growing profits. Contractors expecting an increase in profit margin over the next 12 months stayed the same (24%) as last quarter, while those expecting profits to remain the same rose three points to 66%. Ten percent expect their profit margin to decrease over that time (down three points from Q3).

Contractors say they are seeing big impacts from COVID-19. A majority say that less availability of building products (60%) and an increase in worker shortages (52%) are top concerns related to the pandemic. Of relatively less concern are the pandemic’s impact on worker health and safety (35%), more project shutdowns/delays (30%), and fewer projects (19%).

Despite a small dip in the key indicator of revenue, most contractors anticipate steady revenue despite growing uncertainties over labor and materials costs. Very few see declining revenue ahead.

A majority of contractors (58%) expect their revenues to remain about the same in the next 12 months (down 5 points from 2021 Q3). While 35% of contractors expect their revenue to increase in the next year (down two percentage points from last quarter), and just 7% of contractors anticipate declining revenues (down three points from Q3).

Those expecting changes predict they will be small. Of those expecting a revenue increase, 34% believe it will be an increase of up to 3%. While 21% think it will be an increase of 10% or more. Of those expecting a decrease, 33% believe it will be a decrease of up to 3%, while 29% think it will be a decrease of 10% or more.

Most contractors see little change in access to financing and anticipate it will remain the same in the near future. However, some say access to working capital will get more difficult.

Most (61%) contractors expect their access to working capital financing will remain about the same in the next six months, while just 4% expect that it will get easier. Meanwhile, 23% of contractors believe that access to working capital financing will get more difficult (up six points from 17% saying the same last quarter).

Source: U.S. Chamber Commercial Construction Index, Q4 2021

Source: U.S. Chamber Commercial Construction Index, Q4 2021

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PERMITS

Contractors:

How Following the Basics Help You Win the Permitting Game

By Helen Callier Contributing Writer

C

onstruction can be challenging for contractors when faced with time and budget constraints.

And when you factor in the permitting maze, it takes knowledge of the fundamentals, careful planning, and work to minimize delays and frustration in pulling a building permit.

When talking with a business veteran the other day, he mentioned that the great Green Bay Packers’ Head Coach - Vince Lombardi would start each season by holding up a football and then say, “…this is a football.” Vince, one of the most wellregarded and winningest coaches in NFL history, knew the importance of learning, relearning, and executing the basics of football were key to winning championships.

Like football or any other profession, following the basics is an important aspect in accomplishing one’s goal. This is also the case with obtaining your building permit in a timely manner. So, before you carry a hard set of plans or submit multiple files in an online permitting portal, below are 5 basic steps to follow when needing a permit for a commercial or residential project.

QA/QC Plans and Prerequisite Documents: Oftentimes as the contractor, you are provided plans by an architect or consultant of some sort depending on the scope of work. Before high tailing it to submit plans to the jurisdiction, take time, at a minimum, to review the permit package to check if the proper building codes are referenced, that all required documents are included in the package, and if drawings are signed and sealed by a professional.

Check Jurisdiction Website: There is one thing I know for sure and that is expect changes of some sort at jurisdictions. And to avoid delays, visit the jurisdiction’s permitting web site to confirm applicable ordinances, building codes, forms, operational hours, plus more, so you can save time and money, plus eliminate headaches.

Determine Project Phasing: The size, complexity, available labor, and long lead time for materials are considerations when evaluating if it is best to phase work and permits. For example, for a new ground-up

building, do you have ample time, and are materials on track to pull one permit for civil, foundation, and building, or are you at risk in one area where it is best to permit the civil site, then the building? Understanding site conditions, overall schedule, costs, etc., are important in deciding if it is prudent to phase work.

Complete Permit Application Properly: Checking the w rong box can send your plans down a rabbit review trail that is not required for your scope of work. But because the box was selected, the clock is ticking slowly, and you can be stuck in the electronic system until reviews are completed. Make sure to thoroughly review permit applications, and if you have questions, ask an expert for assistance before hitting “submit.”

Pull Permit: Taking chances in starting work without having a building permit can place your project in peril and threatens the relationship with your customer. This

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happens too often and is quite costly after the fact to obtain a permit. So, make sure to pull and pay for building permits before starting construction.

Although construction and permitting are totally different, there is one thing they have in common with football and that is the basics will help you cross the goal line and win every time. So, embrace the 5 basic tips above, and get ready to build your customer’s dream. And remember to huddle with your team and game experts like PermitUsNow where we are committed to pulling permits for our architect, contractor, and project owner clients without delay, eliminating their frustrations with the permitting process.

Plus, we make it easy for you to work with us. Simply: 1. Email us your plans.

2. Follow up on our feedback for any missing items.

3. Let us get your permitting done for you.

So, send us your plans today, and we’ll free you up to focus on doing what you love - building your customers’ dreams.

Call the PermitUsNow team at 1.844.PERMIT.4 if you need assistance with permits. Visit us on the web at permitusnow.com. #BuildSafe

February 2022 | 19

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20 | February 2022

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SAFETY

OSHA Withdraws

Vaccination

and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is withdrawing the vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard issued on Nov. 5, 2021, to protect unvaccinated employees of large employers with 100 or more employees from workplace exposure to coronavirus. The withdrawal is effective January 26, 2022.

Backgroundand and Background Rationalefor forWithdrawal: Withdrawal: Rationale On November 5, 2021, OSHA adopted an emergency temporary standard (the Vaccination and Testing ETS), under sections 4, 6(c), and 8 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655(c), 657), to protect unvaccinated employees of large employers (100 or more employees) from the risk of contracting COVID-19 by strongly encouraging vaccination (86 FR 61402). The Vaccination and Testing ETS required covered employers to develop, implement, and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, with an exception for employers that instead adopted a policy requiring employees to either get vaccinated or elect to undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at work in lieu of vaccination. That ETS also serves as a “proposed rule” for a “proceeding” to promulgate an occupational safety or health standard. 29 U.S.C. 655(c)(3); see 29 U.S.C. 655(b).

On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the Vaccination and Testing ETS, finding that challengers were likely to prevail on their claims. Nat'l Fed'n of Indep.

Bus. v. Dep't of Labor, 595 U.S. __, __(2022) (per curiam) (slip op. at 5, 9). After evaluating the Court's decision, OSHA is withdrawing the Vaccination and Testing ETS as an enforceable emergency temporary standard. To the extent that this withdrawal is not already generally exempt from

the notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act and the OSH Act, OSHA finds good cause that the opportunity for public comment on this withdrawal is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), and 29 U.S.C. 655(b) because it would unnecessarily delay the resolution of ambiguity for employers and workers alike. This agency action becomes effective immediately both because there is good cause and because the action removes a requirement on the regulated community. 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1), (3).

Although OSHA is withdrawing the Vaccination and Testing ETS as an enforceable emergency temporary standard, OSHA is not withdrawing the ETS to the extent that it serves as a proposed rule under section 6(c)(3) of the Act, and this action does not affect the ETS's status as a proposal under section 6(b) of the Act or otherwise affect the status of the notice-and-comment rulemaking commenced by the Vaccination and Testing ETS. See 29 U.S.C. 655(c)(3).

Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the Vaccination and Testing ETS, OSHA continues to strongly encourage the vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace.

Although OSHA is withdrawing the vaccination and testing ETS as an enforceable emergency temporary standard, the agency is not withdrawing the ETS as a proposed rule. The agency is prioritizing its resources to focus on finalizing a permanent COVID-19 Healthcare Standard.

OSHA strongly encourages vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace.

For more information, please visit osha.gov.

Source(s): U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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SAFETY

Osha Alliance Provides Important Workplace Safety Updates For Technical Guide Assessing Robot Systems

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

I

ncreasingly, U.S. industries are using robotic technologies to perform dangerous or repetitive tasks, and these systems are becoming more collaborative and mobile in nature.

While these advances add new capabilities to work and the workplace, they also introduce new workplace hazards for those who work with, and alongside them.

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Association for Advancing Automation (formerly the Robotic Industries Association) formed an alliance to share technical knowledge, improve awareness about workplace hazards and appropriate safeguards, and identify needed research on the use of traditional industrial and emerging collaborative robotic technologies.

Recently, the alliance updated and expanded a chapter in the OSHA Technical Manual on Industrial Robot Systems and Industrial Robot System Safety. The collective effort has made significant updates to the manual, including up-to-date technical information on the hazards associated with industrial and emergent robot applications, safety considerations for employers and workers, and risk assessments and risk reduction measures.

The manual serves to guide OSHA compliance officers as they perform inspections at facilities with robotic systems, and provides a technical resource for safety and health professionals overseeing the use of robotic systems in workplaces.

"We value the efforts and expertise of the engineers at the Association for Advancing Automation and the researchers at NIOSH to enhance this important resource," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas Parker. "Robot use will continue to expand, and employers have a responsibility to assess the hazards these new applications may introduce, and implement appropriate safety controls to protect the workers who operate and service them."

The World Robotics 2021 Industrial Robots report estimates currently that more than 310,000 industrial robots now operate in U.S. factories. The continuing rise of robotics increases the risks associated with robotic systems' hazards such as struck-by/caught-between, crush-

ing and trapping, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and environmental.

"Our trade association has made the safety of people working around robots our top priority for nearly four decades," said Association for Advancing Automation President Jeff Burnstein. "That's why we developed R15.06 – the first industrial robot safety standard – in the early 1980s, and have regularly updated the standard as technology has improved.

We are honored to be a part of the alliance with OSHA and NIOSH, to work together to get this vital information on safety into the hands of robot system users."

"NIOSH's partnership with OSHA and the Association for Advancing Automation is vital to addressing the rapid advances in robotics technologies in the workplace," said NIOSH Director John

Howard, M.D. "This updated resource developed with the combined expertise of NIOSH, OSHA and A3, addresses a critical need for the most current information for health and safety professionals about working safely with robots in various workplaces—both those that have traditionally used robotic systems and those introducing new robotic applications."

Learn more about robotics.

The Association for Advancing Automation is North America's largest automation trade association representing more than 1,100 organizations involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision and imaging, motion control and motors, and related automation technologies.

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. Learn more about NIOSH at www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.htm.

Visit osha.gov for more information.

Source(s): U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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TRANSPORTATION

DART Welcomes

Deanna Leggett

as EVP of Growth and Regional Development

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

D

eanna Leggett has been selected as the new executive vice president of growth and regional development at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). A nationally recognized transit leader, Leggett brings over 20 years of experience in the planning, development, and operation of public transportation projects across the country.

"We are very excited to welcome Dee to the DART family," said Nadine S. Lee, DART president & CEO. "She is a proven transportation leader who brings a unique combination of strategic thought leadership and an extensive record of operations performance, project delivery, and innovation that will expand the leadership capacity at DART. I'm looking forward to Dee's contributions to our efforts to enhance the public transportation experience for all our riders."

In her role, Leggett will oversee DART's Capital Planning, Real Estate, Environmental Compliance, Transit Oriented Development, Capital Program Support, Service Planning, Commuter Rail, and Design and Construction departments, as well as an extensive array of design consultants and construction contractors.

Photo Caption: Deanna Leggett has been selected as the new executive vice president of growth and regional development at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

"DART is a world class organization focused on providing transformative mobility solutions to the region," said Leggett. "I am honored to join their leadership team to help plan and deliver programs, projects and services that meet the future needs of our transit riders and our communities."

Leggett comes to the agency from HatchLTK where she served as the vice president of the south-central region and director of zero-emissions technology. In that role she oversaw projects and client engagement for all transit and rail clients in the South-Central region of the United States. She also served as the subject matter expert and

project manager for transit contracting, transit planning, transit operations and maintenance, grant funding and federal regulatory requirements.

"DART has always been a driver of growth and innovation across the North Texas region," said Michele Wong-Krause, chair of the DART Board of Directors.

"The knowledge, experience and drive that Dee brings to her role will allow the agency to build on our mission to provide outstanding and customer-driven service to our Service Area city residents."

Before joining HatchLTK, Leggett also served as chief operations officer at Bowman Engineering and Consulting, as well as the southwest region vice president of transit contracting and region vice president of transit management at First Transit.

A graduate of Leadership APTA, as well as one of Mass Transit's Top 40 Under 40, Leggett holds a Bachelor of Science in History/Political Science from Union University in Jackson, TN, and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

For more information, please visit dart.org.

Source(s): Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

TRANSPORTATION

USDOT Announces $11 Million in Grant Awards to Help Communities Plan for Transit-Oriented Development

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced the award of approximately $11 million to 20 projects in 12 states to support comprehensive planning efforts to improve access to public transportation.

Funding through FTA's Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning grants will help organizations plan for transportation projects that connect communities and improve access to transit and affordable housing.

opportunity, and contributes to affordable housing."

FTA's Pilot Program for TOD Planning supports local planning and strategies to increase transit access and encourage ridership through mixed-use and mixedincome development near public transportation projects. This year’s selected projects support President Biden’s call to combat climate change, advance environmental justice, and promote equitable delivery of benefits to underserved communities.

"Equitable transit-oriented development helps those at the local level respond to climate change and affordable housing challenges, particularly in underserved communities," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. "Our goal is to create access for all Americans who ride transit by encouraging mixed-use, mixed income development around new transit projects.

I hope that communities will join with FTA to accelerate transit-oriented development by addressing zoning and planning changes that will increase mixed income and affordable housing around transit hubs and stations."

"Transit-oriented development offers easier, more affordable access to jobs, health care, school, shopping, and other daily needs," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "We're pleased to award this funding to help more communities develop around Someofofthe theselected selectedprojects Some transit in a way that reduces projects include: include: pollution, increases economic

• The North Central Texas Council of

Governments-Dallas Area Rapid Transit will receive $800,000 to plan for TOD at nine DART Silver Line regional rail stations that connect major centers around Dallas.

• Fort Worth Transportation will receive $405,000 to plan for TOD around five stations on the TEXRail line to identify opportunities for development in the city of Fort Worth.

• The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department in Arizona will receive $920,000 to plan for TOD at 11 stations proposed along a five-mile streetcar line to connect activity centers in the city of Mesa.

• The Chicago Transit Authority in Illinois will receive $800,000 to plan for TOD at four proposed stations along 5.6-miles of its Red Line 'L' train subway line.

• The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments in South Carolina will receive $860,000 to plan for TOD on its proposed 21.5-mile Lowcountry Rapid Transit bus rapid transit corridor.

A list of all selected projects and information on previously funded projects can be found at transit. dot.gov. Planning projects were selected for funding based on criteria described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

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The President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a $18.9 million, or 38%, increase in funding for this program over five years, as compared to the previous level. This will expand FTA's ability to support transit-oriented development nationwide.

The TOD Pilot Program was originally created under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) authorization and amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the last transportation authorization law before the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For more information, please visit transit.dot.gov.

Source(s): Federal Transit Administration

February 2022 | 27

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SMALL BUSINESS ON THE MOVE Take your company to new heights!

ARCHITECTURE/ ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

GENERAL SERVICES

SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT

METRO’s OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS OFFERS: • Outreach • Certification • Compliance

• Virtual one-on-one • Small Business University (SBU) • Business Development

For more information, contact METRO’s Office of Small Business at smallbusiness@RideMETRO.org or call 713.739.4844.

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TRANSPORTATION

METRO Board of Directors Adopts Agency-Wide Climate Action Plan

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

M

ETRO's Board of Directors has approved the adoption of the transit authority's first-ever Climate Action

Plan.

The plan, which charts a path to a more resilient and sustainable future, follows the framework of the Authority's Sustainability Vision Statement approved by the Board last summer. It is also guided by the Federal Transit Administration's Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge, which aims to support President Joe Biden's goal to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent or more by 2030.

Transit agencies are increasingly taking actions to reduce their own carbon emissions to further the GHG emission reduction benefits associated with public transportation. Public transit bus fleets are undergoing a dramatic shift toward transitioning to alternative fuel sources. In 2019, 18 percent of the nation’s bus fleet was hybrid-electric, from only 1 percent in 2005, and the number of electric buses continues to grow.

Overview of the plan: On April 22, 2021, President Biden announced an ambitious goal: for the United States to achieve a 50-52 percent reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in 2030.

On June 15, 2021, FTA launched the Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge to encourage transit agencies to build on progress already made and to further reduce GHG emissions from public transportation to support President Biden’s GHG reduction goal.

Transportation is a major source of GHG emissions in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of 2019 GHG emissions (EPA’s U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2019).

Public transportation plays an important role in reducing a community’s transportation GHG emissions through transportation and land use efficiencies.

METRO's Climate Action Plan outlines steps the Authority will take to transform dayto-day operations and business practices to increase sustainability, resiliency and reduce its carbon footprint. Implementation of goals listed in the plan has already begun. METRO has moved forward with the purchase of 20 full-size electric buses and 10 paratransit vans and will soon explore the use of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cell electric technology. It is part of the Authority's commitment to meeting a 100 percent zero-emissions bus replacement goal by 2030.

For more information, please visit ridemetro.org.

Source(s): Federal Transit Administration Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County

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TRANSPORTATION

William P. Hobby Airport

Becomes First Airport in North America to Earn a 5-Star International Rating

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he City of Houston now boasts the only 5-Star rated airport throughout the state of Texas and North America after William P. Hobby Airport achieved a 5-Star Airport status in the Skytrax World Airport Star Rating for 2022.

The Skytrax World Airport Star Rating is a global benchmark of quality evaluation for the aviation industry. Airports are rated between a 1-Star and 5-Star level following a detailed audit analysis of facilities and staff service to customers across all front-line areas of the airport environment.

“This is a well-deserved and unique distinction for the City of Houston and our airport system,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “Hobby Airport stands among the best in the world and this rating proves that being committed to first-class service is a tremendous benefit for Houston and the entire region.”

Hobby Airport excelled in all 29 rating categories, achieving the highly coveted 5-Star Rating. The international rating organization also highlighted the airport’s “wide range of substantial guest experience upgrades to the terminal interiors, passenger facilities, and customer service initia-

tives.” Recent improvements include a new children’s play area, state-of-the-art restroom facilities, modern signage and information systems, a prayer room and a new stage for live music performances, to highlight just a few.

Hobby Airport becomes one of just sixteen 5-Star Airports across the world.

“The entire Houston Airports team has worked tirelessly toward reaching this accomplishment at Hobby Airport,” Director of Aviation Mario Diaz said.

“Providing the highest quality of customer service, exceptional amenities and cutting-edge facilities has earned us five stars at Hobby Airport and an improved 4-Star rating at Bush Airport, and now we owe it to our passengers to continue delivering excellence at every step of the airport experience.”

George Bush Intercontinental Airport maintained its 4-Star rating for a fifth consecutive year and consistently improved its score across the rating categories. Construction continues to advance the international terminal redevelopment program, which will support the efforts to achieve the ultimate goal for Houston to serve as home to not just one, but two 5-Star rated airports.

“From your house to ours, we promise to deliver a five-star airport experience for our guests that showcases world-class service, modern facilities and uniquely “Houston friendly” hospitality – first time, every time.” Diaz stated. “That is the Houston Airports guest experience brand promise, a promise our team members strive to keep every single day at Bush and Hobby airports.”

For more information, please visit Fly2Houston.com.

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Source(s): Houston Airport System

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