October 17, 2005

NACA Launches Website

The North American Concrete Alliance (NACA) launched www.NACAnews.org this week to communicate the concrete industry's response to recent hurricanes on the Gulf coast. Ongoing activities and initiatives include rebuilding and recovery, employment and training, building codes and research, media relations, and government affairs. In addition, NACA will continue to periodically e-mail a brief newsletter called NACA News to its members and other concrete industry stakeholders. Past issues of the newsletter are also posted at www.NACAnews.org. Anyone interested in contributing to NACA News should contact Lionel Lemay at LLemay@nrmca.org.

   REBUILDING AND RECOVERY

   EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

   CODES AND RESEARCH

Mississippi Commission to Study Codes, Rebuilding Effort

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour formed a Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal to develop a broad vision for a better Gulf Coast and South Mississippi. The commission will also address building codes. Governor Barbour is not in favor of legislation requiring local jurisdictions to adopt a statewide building codes. Mississippi concrete industry members are encouraged to write their legislators to urge the State of Mississippi adopt a uniform building code for the state. Click here to write your legislator. Mississippi Concrete Industry Association is contacting key members of legislature and Governor Barbour's administration to express the concrete industry's desire to adopt uniform building codes in Mississippi. Contact Robert Varner or Kevin Voelte.
 

Hurricane Center Director Supports Stricter Codes

Dr. Marc L. Levitan, director, LSU Hurricane Center, supports adopting state-wide uniform building codes in testimony to U.S. Senate Commerce committee. Read Testimony.

   MEDIA RELATIONS

NACA Member Fact Sheet Available

Details of NACA Members involved in the recovery and rebuilding effort in the Gulf coast region are provided in a NACA Member Fact Sheet. Click here to download the fact sheet.

   GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Industry Urged to Write Legislators in Support of Stricter Codes

Concrete industry people in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi are urged to contact their state legislators to support the adoption of a statewide uniform building code. Click here to write a letter to your state legislators using NRMCA grassroots website (open to all concrete industry members). View sample letters for Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Contact Kevin Voelte.

U.S. House to Study Building Codes and Standards
On September 21, 2005, the U.S. House of Representative passed the “Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005.” The bill charges the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to perform an engineering performance study to examine physical structures damaged due to excessive wind, storm surge, and flooding. The study would examine ports, utilities, infrastructure, and transportation systems as well as engineered and non-engineered buildings. NIST findings would be used to review the adequacy of current building codes and standards for excessive wind, storm surge, and flooding. H.R 250 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and it is expected that a companion bill will be introduced in the Senate shortly. Read a summary of H.R. 250. Contact Robert Sullivan or Kevin Voelte.

   LINKS

10-13-05 clarionledger.com - Commission brainstorms ideas to rebuild coast

10-11-05 USATODAY.com - Vision: Rebuild 'new urban' Mississippi coast