Underground Construction - September 2017 - 6

NEWSLINE LATEST INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

throughout the country and how
grants, rebates, fees and other
innovative governance structures
are used to fund alternative water
projects. It supports the view that
there is not a one-size-fits-all
approach."
True to its name, Living Map
will be updated as more case
studies come to light. Stakeholders,
researchers and decision-makers
working on inventive water financing are encouraged to contact
Ajami about adding projects to the
map, at (650) 724-8162 or newsha@
stanford.edu.

AEM Launches 'Behind
Every Product' Campaign

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) launched a major
advertising campaign, "Behind
Every Product," to promote the economic contributions of the industry
among Washington influencers.
"Equipment manufacturers want
to be sure that President Trump,
members of Congress and other
leaders in Washington understand
the size and scope of our industry,"
said AEM President Dennis Slater.
"We want everyone to understand
that behind every piece of agriculture or construction equipment is
a story of a hardworking American
who is able to support a family
because of our industry."
A report produced earlier this
year, by the independent research
firm IHS Markit, found that the
equipment manufacturing industry
supports 1.3 million jobs and
contributes $159 billion to the GDP
in the United States. Other findings
were that the industry generated
almost $87 billion in labor income
in 2016, and about 30 percent of
equipment produced in the United
States is eventually intended for
export.

ucononline.com

The "Behind Every Product"
initiative was launched as part of
"I Make America," AEM's grassroots campaign that engages and
mobilizes industry employees to
advocate for pro-manufacturing
public policies.
AEM is the North American-based international trade
group representing more than 950
companies and more than 200
product lines in the agriculture,
construction, forestry, mining and
utility sectors worldwide.

TWDB Approves $1+ Billion
For Improvement Projects

The Texas Water Development
Board (TWDB) approved more than
$1 billion in financial assistance
from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program to be distributed to 10 project
sponsors across the state.
The projects, all recommended in the 2017 State Water Plan,
include water line replacements,
well fields, seawater desalination,
capacity expansions and reservoir
planning. More than $13 million
was approved for conservation and
rural projects.
The TWDB anticipates closing
loans for projects approved for
SWIFT financing in fall 2017.
SWIFT was established by the
Texas Legislature and voters in 2013
to fund projects in the state water
plan. SWIFT was created through
the transfer of a one-time, $2 billion
appropriation from the state's
Rainy Day Fund. The $2 billion will
be leveraged with revenue bonds
over the next 50 years to finance
approximately $27 billion in water
supply projects.
TWDB, which collects and
disseminates water-related data,
assists with regional planning, and
prepares the state water plan for the
development of its water resources also approved more than $10
million from the state's revolving
funds.
$2,815,000 from the Drinking

GLTA Announces Annual Meeting Plans
The Great Lakes Trenchless Association (GLTA) is partnering with MISS
DIG 811 for the 2018 Annual Membership Meeting, Conference & Expo
on March 15 - 16. The event will be held at the Soaring Eagle Casino,
Resort & Waterpark in Mt. Pleasant, MI.
This convention will consist of four educational sessions each day,
with three options for each session. The tentative schedule includes a
welcome party on March 15, which will include valuable networking
opportunities, vendor product displays, a Job Fair for locals interested
in learning more about the industry, along with drinks and appetizers.
It has become a GLTA tradition that the last day of the conference
attendees and their families come together for an evening of food,
entertainment and camaraderie. There are always lots of activities
and prizes to keep the kids busy, while the adults mingle and make
new friends and business acquaintances. Also, the winners of the Safe
Digging Award will be announced and a Silent Auction will be held.
If booked before Feb. 21, 2018, special discounted rates will apply.
More information on the education sessions, sponsorship opportunities and registration will soon be available at greatlakestrenchless.
com, (937) 313-1714.
Water State Revolving Fund to
the Central Washington County
Water Supply Corporation for water
system improvements, including
planning, acquisition, design and
construction of a new water supply
well and its connection to two
existing water treatment locations.
$7,599,660 ($6,765,000 loan and
$834,660 in loan forgiveness) from
the Clean Water State Revolving
Fund to the City of Eastland (Eastland County) for planning, design
and construction costs associated
with wastewater system improvements. Plans also include improving
treatment so that reclaimed water
can continue to replace potable
water for irrigation. twdb.texas.gov

ASCE Publishes Books
For Underground
Infrastructure
The American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE) has published
three new technical books related
to underground infrastructure construction and rehabilitation. They
can be purchased online by visiting
"Publications" at asce.org.

Standard
Practice for
Direct Design
of Precast
Concrete Pipe
for Jacking
in Trenchless
Construction,
Standards
ASCE/CI
27-17, a
revision of
ASCE 27-00,
is useful as a
reference to
civil engineering design
professionals,
consultants,
owners, and
transportation
officials planning to use
pipe jacking
in trenchless
installations.
The book
covers piping intended for the
conveyance of sewage, industrial
wastes, stormwater and drainage,
as well as for utilities and access
ways. Design and analysis methods
Underground Construction September 2017

http://www.twdb.texas.gov http://www.asce.org http://www.ucononline.com

Underground Construction - September 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Underground Construction - September 2017