Portland Cement Association (PCA) has joined the 10 other members of the North American Concrete Alliance (NACA) in encouraging the U.S. Congress to pass infrastructure funding and reforms.
NACA leaders spoke at a Capitol Hill briefing, highlighting that concrete is vital to building and maintaining infrastructure.
The alliance urged Congress to address the need for a durable and reliable infrastructure, to reform programs that impact federal dollars earmarked for infrastructure and to provide long-term funding for the Highway Trust Fund.
“As the second most consumed product on Earth, behind water, it is impossible to contemplate revitalizing our nation’s infrastructure without putting concrete at the forefront of the discussion,” PCA President and CEO James G. Toscas said. “Concrete pavements and structures have been a mainstay of America’s infrastructure for more than a half century, with many original structures still in service.”
There are cement and concrete plants in every state. Annually, the industry contributes $100 billion to the national economy and employs 535,000.
The PCA represents 92 percent of U.S. cement production capacity.
The PCA and NACA advocate for their industry in the areas of federal funding and policies. The executive team includes former congressional staffers, an attorney and an environmental expert.