News

Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA) Executive Director David Rible issued the following statement today regarding a push in New Jersey to follow California’s lead and ban the sale of gasoline-powered cars:

 “This is well-meaning policy but we are already seeing the pitfalls of transitioning to electric vehicles without addressing the impact on the power grid. California had to ask residents not to charge their electric vehicles because their grid simply cannot handle the demand, yet they just voted to ban gas powered vehicles. We do not want this scenario coming to New Jersey.

“Taking proactive steps on climate change is important but we cannot just enact laws because they sound good. We are particularly concerned about our members being forced to use electric vehicles when the infrastructure to power them – much less hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles for the entire state – simply does not exist in our state. Not only that but how exactly we pay to create that infrastructure, whether it’s publicly available charging stations, people charging at their homes or our members having to charge at their places of business, has not been figured out.

“Much more thought needs to go into this idea, clearly more than California put into it. Let’s not rush into something that will create even more and bigger problems.”

Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA) Executive Director David Rible issued the following statement today regarding a report from the National Resources Defense Council which shows that New Jersey is getting the second least amount of federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, per lead line, of any state:

“This is absolutely outrageous. Time and time again New Jersey sends money to Washington only to get fleeced in return.

“We, along with members of the Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Coalition, warned of this exact scenario months ago when decisions were being made about funding. We specifically noted that this could happen without changes from the Environmental Protection Agency. Those changes never happened and now we have been shortchanged again.

 “It is unacceptable to think that New Jersey’s water infrastructure needs are lacking enough to be second to last in funding. In fact, it’s ludicrous. We have some of the oldest water infrastructure in the country, including grossly outdated combined sewer overflow systems that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Moreover, as we showed in Newark, we know how to do this and do it right, so long as the necessary resources are there.

 “Our members made New Jersey a shining example of how to fix broken water infrastructure. They stand ready, willing and able to do it again throughout our state. We just need the federal government to get its act together and give us our fair share of funding.”

Utility and Transportat

ion Contractors Association (UTCA) CEO Robert Briant, Jr. will be inducted into the American Road and Transportation Association (ARTBA) Foundation’s Transportation Development Hall of Fame.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected to join the legendary figures from the transportation industry, including my father, in the Transportation Development Hall of Fame,” said Briant. “While my name may be on the plaque, this award is actually a testament to the dedication and hard work of the UTCA members, staff and partners who have been tireless advocates for the infrastructure industry.”

The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and families who have made significant contributions to the nation’s transportation development and have exhibited exceptional leadership abilities. Briant’s father, Robert Briant, Sr., who founded the UTCA, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

UTCA Executive Director Dave Rible lauded Briant’s commitment to the organization and the industry as a whole.

“Bob’s passion for growing and improving the UTCA is only matched by has dedication to bolstering the infrastructure industry,” he said. “I am honored to work with Bob at the UTCA and congratulate him on this amazing recognition of his three decades of service to the construction field.”

A unanimous selection of the Board of Directors, Briant has worked with the UTCA since 1982 and is the Chairman of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, a member of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority and former Chairman of the Clean Water Coalition.

“I have been fortunate to work with so many amazing organizations and people who share my goal of promoting economic prosperity and protecting our health and environment by building and maintaining a world-class infrastructure system,” said Briant. “While I am proud of what we have accomplished in my time at the UTCA, I look forward to continuing to fight for the absolutely vital infrastructure industry in New Jersey and throughout the country.”

Prior Hall of Fame inductees include President Dwight Eisenhower; former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta; Garrett Morgan, who invented the three-stage traffic signal; the founder of Caterpiller; and the Roebling family, who built the Brooklyn Bridge.

We are pleased to report that today Governor Murphy signed S2870 / A4255. 

This law, which revised the A901 / “Dirty Dirt” law has two key outcomes for UTCA members: 

First, DEP is now required to adopt rules and regulations no later than one year after the bill’s enactment. As of now, there remains a significant amount of confusion surrounding DEP’s evolving guidance and many business entities are unclear about the law’s applicability to their operations. Second, business entities now can wait to submit a complete A901 application until 30 DAYS AFTER the DEP adopts rules and regulations to implement the law, rather than the current July 14, 2022 deadline previously set. 

UTCA has been working with a group of NJ business associations (notably the Commerce and Industry Association of NJ) on this bill from its inception. We would like to acknowledge these partners for their communication and cooperation.  We commend the bill sponsors and the Governor for taking this action. 

This revision to the law does not change any of the material-technical aspects of the law or the need to register with DEP by July 14th. “Registration” with the DEP is a separate step from the full A901 application process.

We will stay fully engaged over the coming months via the rule-making process and will provide UTCA members with updates as they become available. If you have any questions on this matter, please reach out to Dan Kennedy via email at kennedy@utcanj.org or call the office at (732) 292-4300.

The State Legislature recently took action on several measures that would impact our industry before they recessed for the summer. UTCA has been monitoring a number of bills and actively engaging with lawmakers on these and other important issues.

Here are some updates on legislation that may be of interest to UTCA members:

S-2023 (State Budget) Appropriates $51 billion in state and federal funds for Fiscal Year 2022-23

The budget process resulted in the appropriation of an additional $800 million for infrastructure projects. This includes $300 million for water infrastructure that UTCA worked directly with our labor partners, the Operating Engineers and the Laborers, to have allocated from the COVID relief funds.

This funding is on top of the monies allocated to New Jersey in the IIJA and other State capital programs.

In addition, we are pleased to report that an additional $900,000 was appropriated for staff at the Infrastructure Bank.

Status: Budget signed by the Governor.

UTCA was monitoring the Budget and associated legislation and advocated for additional infrastructure funding.

S-2909 Allows DOT to compensate contractors and subcontractors for price escalations, appropriates $10 million.

Status: Passed both houses, on Governor’s desk.

UTCA worked directly with the NJDOT and legislators to address cost escalation and supported this bill’s passage. In addition, we are working with lawmakers to craft legislation to expand this program. UTCA thanks Senator Patrick Diegnan, chairman of the Transportation Committee, for his efforts and cooperation in working closely with UTCA staff on this matter.

S-2944 Credits $5.2 billion to New Jersey’s Debt Defeasance Fund; appropriates $2.9 billion to state agencies, including $230 million to NJ DOT to support capital projects.

Status: Passed both houses, on the Governor’s desk.

UTCA supported this legislation.

S-2943 Increases the spending limits of the Transportation Trust Fund Authority by $600 million.

Status: Passed both houses, on the Governor’s desk.

UTCA supported this bill.

S-2870 (Dirty Dirt) Delays the deadline for contractors who perform soil remediation services to 30 days after the DEP has adopted regulations.

Status: Passed both houses, on the Governor’s desk.

UTCA was involved in efforts to amend this bill to push back the registration deadline from July 14, 2022.

S-287 (Green Concrete) Provides CBT and Income Tax credits to producers and suppliers of low-carbon concrete.

Status: Passed Senate.

UTCA worked with industry partners and the bill sponsor to change this measure from its initial form which required this material be used.

S-2770/S-2734/S-2735 Allocates funding through New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for Transportation and Water Infrastructure projects.

Status: Passed both houses, on the Governor’s desk.

UTCA supported these bills.

S-2841 Increases minimum commercial vehicle insurance liability coverage to $1.5 million.

Status: Approved by Senate Commerce Committee, not scheduled for a vote.

UTCA opposed this measure.

Please contact Ryan Sharpe if you have any questions about these or any other legislative matters.

UTCA, IUOE and LiUNA thrilled by additional $300M coming for water infrastructure improvements

Farmingdale – Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA) Executive Director David Rible issued the following statement today regarding reports that President Biden will propose a federal gas tax holiday:

“When he was running for president, Barack Obama referred to a gas tax holiday as an election year ‘gimmick’ and he was 100% correct. Any gas tax holiday will merely siphon away badly needed infrastructure dollars. Ultimately, it will create worse financial issues for working people. This is bad policy disguised as relief and should be rejected.

 “We know that gas taxes have little to do with increasing costs. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has noted that gas prices are set largely due to refining and distribution of oil. ARTBA also ‘found that on average, one-third of an increase—or decrease—in state gasoline tax rates is passed through to consumers in the retail price on the day the change takes effect, with no significant impact after that time.’

“The money lost through a gas tax holiday will eventually have to be made up somewhere if we actually want to improve infrastructure in our country. Simply put, this is a bad idea.

 “We call on our federal representatives in Washington to reject this gimmick.”

UTCA of New Jersey is a non-profit trade association headquartered in Wall, New Jersey. UTCA represents approximately 1,000 member firms in the public and private sectors, active in all phases of heavy, highway, utility, and marine construction, as well as site work including remediation of brownfields and contaminated sites. For more information, log on to http://www.utcanj.org and follow on Twitter @UTCANJ.

 May 5, 2022, the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration released the Apportionment of Highway Infrastructure Program Funds Pursuant to the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2022. This program is for Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (FY2022). New Jersey qualified for $26,549,221.00. These funds are available for obligation until September 30, 2025.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call the UTCA office

732-292-4300 or Click Here To Email Dave Rible

Please Click Here To Read The Announcement and State by State Breakdown