Priority Issues
NUCA government relations are dedicated to improving the business environment for utility and excavation contractors nationwide. Our national office also offers support to every NUCA Chapter and their government affairs program.
Water infrastructure funding
The longer we wait to tackle deteriorating infrastructure, the more difficult and expensive the remedy will be. NUCA must help lawmakers understand the scope of our infrastructure needs, as well as the economic benefits of investing in solutions. NUCA must work to secure strong funding for existing programs that support infrastructure and explore other policies to help states and localities address their water needs.
Appropriations
The EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, the EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program, and the USDA’s Rural Utility Services (RUS) are some of the most important federal programs that make investments in water infrastructure. These programs have a significant return on investment and have proven to be a responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Not only do these programs address our nation’s significant infrastructure needs, but they also sustain good paying construction jobs. For these reasons, Congress should support robust funding for these programs..
Private activity bonds
PABs (also known as Exempt Facility Bonds) allow state and local governments to issue tax-exempt bonds to finance infrastructure. Drinking water and sewer projects are eligible for these bonds, but there is currently a limit on how much can be financed annually using these bonds. Lifting the cap on PABs will infuse private capital into water and wastewater projects. America needs hundreds of billions of dollars to fix, modernize, and upgrade our water infrastructure to a safe and reliable level and allowing for increased private investment has the potential to provide more funding than the federal government alone can appropriate.
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damage prevention
Each year, America’s underground utility infrastructure is jeopardized by unintentional damage due to failing to have underground lines located prior to digging. Such erroneous strikes has unintended consequences, such as service interruptions, environmental damage, personal injury, and even death. The One-Call program through 811 was designed in 2005 to prevent these accidents. Failure to call before digging results in more than 200,000 unintentional and costly hits annually across the nation. NUCA and the Common Ground Alliance are dedicated to increasing public and industry awareness about damage prevention to our nation’s fragile infrastructure
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Workforce Development
The construction industry is facing a workforce shortage, and we must ensure that NUCA members have the qualified workforce they need to construct America’s infrastructure. NUCA is tackling this issue through two related initiatives. First, we are supportive of efforts that align technical and vocational training with in-demand jobs and the skills employers need. Second, we support reforms that enable our industry to connect with students and other individuals and ease the barriers to highlighting the benefits of a career in the construction industry. NUCA also supports expansion of the existing H-2B worker visa program.
Regulations
NUCA members’ top priority is the safety of their employees and their operations. NUCA Government Relations works with federal regulators to ensure that any regulations will protect workers and are based on sound evidence and the realities of our industry’s operations. There are too many regulations that fail to achieve their aims while only saddling businesses with additional red tape. To improve the regulatory environment for our members, NUCA tracks regulatory activity and ensures that we communicate with federal agencies and lawmakers about its impact on our industry.
Indirectly Related Priorities
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We’re dedicated to excellence and precision – two things that have taken us far in the industry. We pride ourselves on our work, and we do whatever it takes to get the job done.