The Common Ground Alliance (CGA), an organization focused on protecting underground utility lines and the safety of people who dig near them, recently announced findings from its fourth annual Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report, which calculated approximately 256,000 underground utility damages for 2007, which is significantly lower than estimates in previous years.Based on this new figure, there were roughly 700 incidents per day nationwide in 2007, compared to more than 1,200 per day during the first three years of the report, representing a 40 percent decline in underground utility damages that have the potential to cause injury or loss of life. Several factors that likely led to the 2007 reduction in damages include stakeholder support and promotion of 811 – the national call-before-you-dig number that launched in May 2007, of which AGC was the first national launch partner – Regional CGA efforts, implementation of CGA Best Practices and the use of new and proven technologies by excavators and locators. Click here to view the complete 2007 DIRT Report.CGA will host a teleconference on January 7, 2009 providing highlights of the 2007 DIRT report. Registration is free and this is a great opportunity to learn about what the CGA is doing to promote awareness about damage prevention.For more information and to register for the January 7 teleconference please click here.To learn more about AGC’s involvement in CGA and how you can be a part of the damage prevention solution contact Perry Fowler at (703) 837-1983 or fowlerp@agc.org

Bob Kipp, executive director of the Common Ground Alliance, and Vic Weston (Tri-State Road Boring in Baton Rouge), former AGC national treasurer, briefed a federal pipeline safety standards committee and made the case for more effective damage prevention measures.  The committee is working to set the federal government’s pipeline regulatory agenda for 2009, and Misters Kip and Weston made a strong case that states with poor underground infrastructure must make the safety of construction and utility workers a top priority.For more information, contact Perry Fowler at (703) 837-1983 or fowlerp@agc.org.

The national dialogue about infrastructure investment is gaining momentum and one of the challenges our industry faces is educating the public about substantial national and local investment needs.Investment in infrastructure is increasingly viewed as a means of quickly stimulating the economy, and providing good jobs by rehabilitating and replacing aging infrastructure. AGC of America has been a leader in our Advocacy for the inclusion of major funding for all types of infrastructure in the much discussed 2009 stimulus package.

The nation is focused on getting the economy back on track and an important component of the economic stimulus package is substantial investment in our national water infrastructure. When Congress returns in January one the top issues they will tackle is a stimulus package with a substantial infrastructure component. AGC has been working to educate Congress and the incoming Administration with the help of our industry allies such as APWA, AWWA , NACWA and the WIN Coalition. AGC is working with our partners to obtain and share data on water and wastewater projects that are ready to go which will provide much needed jobs in this time of financial uncertainty.

AGC of America is excited to announce this year's Highway & Utilities Contractors Issues Meeting, to be held from February 5th-7th, 2009 at the La Quinta Resort and Club in Palm Springs, California. This meeting is the premier gathering for contractors and related businesses involved in every aspect of highway and utility construction to hear about and discuss issues and trends in these markets, so mark your calendars now!Some of the Issues on the Agenda:Construction Industry Ethics and Compliance Program: Why You Need One, How to ImplementFlorida's Success with Disputes Resolution Boards for All Sized projectsPreparing Your Company for a Minneapolis Bridge DisasterOutlook on the New Congress and AdministrationSAFETEA-LU Reauthorization and Wastewater Trust FundImpact of Tight Credit Market on Public Works FundingFor more information and to register, visit the AGC website.

Thanks to the hard work and persistence of AGC of America, our network of members, and Chapter partners, Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure is being viewed nationwide.

As reported Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) convened a forum with economic experts to discuss an economic recovery plan for the nation.  She announced that she would be calling on the appropriate committee chairmen to conduct hearings on various portions of an economic recovery package in the upcoming weeks.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) convened a forum with economic experts to discuss an economic recovery plan for the nation on Monday.  Prior to the meeting, AGC sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi urging her to consider economic stimulus initiatives that will positively impact economic activity, including provisions to boost the construction industry.

AGC of America is excited to announce the 2009 Highway & Utilities Contractors Issues Meeting, to be held February 5 -7, 2009 at the La Quinta Resort and Club in Palm Springs, California. This meeting is the premier gathering place for contractors and related businesses involved in every aspect of highway and utility construction to hear about and discuss issues and trends in these markets.

On September 16, 2008, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX.) Chairwoman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, and Ranking Member Rep.  John Boozman (R-AR.) sent a letter to all four hundred and thirty five members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging their colleagues and staff to view the Liquid Assets documentary.